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DISCOVER.DEVELOP.THRIVE.The K&L Gates Experience.The experience of a lifetime begins here.klgates.com/careers
HUMBLE ROOTS,HIGH ASPIRATIONSK&L Gates is one of the largest firmsin the world, but it did not start outthat way. Over the course of the firm’sstrategic growth, we have remainedmindful of what matters most—servingour clients and treating our people withrespect, dignity and care. Here you willfind a place where you can shine whilebeing part of a team of highly respectedprofessionals, where you will haveaccess to the tools and resources to helpyou do your best work, where you willexpand your horizons professionally andgeographically, and where you will beinspired to make a positive difference forthe common good.While we steadfastly maintain the valuesof our humble roots, our aspirationsto be a leading, global law firm are noless important. As our economic worldbecomes more closely connected, oursize and footprint affords us the ability toprovide the utmost value in counsel andrepresentation to our clients.2 DISCOVER. DEVELOP. THRIVE. 2021
EXPERIENCE K&L GATESK&L Gates is a global community of entrepreneurs and self-starters. Weare focused on innovation and collaboration, and are constantly strivingfor excellence in our client service and culture. We know that our firmis only as strong as the collective efforts of our people. By experiencingK&L Gates, you will thrive in a dynamic legal landscape where we investin your career path and talent development. With a global presence andlawyers with top-tier skills in a multitude of practice areas, K&L Gates istruly a one-of-a-kind firm at which to grow your career.Hands-on ExperienceWe have nine practice areas across the firm.As part of your clerkship you will completerotations within at least one of the ninepractice areas. In your graduate year, you willexperience multiple practice areas acrossthree rotations. You will be embedded intothe practice areas and be involved in reallegal work right from the start, giving youin-depth experience and real insight into lifeas a corporate lawyer at K&L Gates.Formal Training ProgramIn conjunction with on-the-job experience,we provide formal training. On day one, youwill receive an in-depth induction to the firmas well as training on relevant IT systems,followed by on-going training sessions overthe course of your clerkship and graduateprogram. These sessions have beendesigned to develop your legal knowledgeand business skills, as well as to give you abroader insight into the various areas of lawin which we practise.Team ApproachWe truly believe that working together isbetter. Your supervisor and buddy willhelp you settle in and you will work closelywith the partners, special counsel, seniorassociates and lawyers in your team. Youwill be provided with opportunities to buildstrong relationships, both within your teamand the wider firm network. We provide andencourage a collaborative environment inwhich you can develop and thrive.Our Core Practice AreasAsset Management andInvestment FundsFinanceLitigation andDispute ResolutionCorporateIntellectual PropertyPolicy and RegulatoryEnergy, Infrastructure,and ResourcesLabor, Employment,and Workplace SafetyReal EstateKLGATES.COM 3
ASSET MANAGEMENT ANDINVESTMENT FUNDSBased in Sydney and Melbourne, K&LGates Asset Management and InvestmentFunds lawyers advise Australian and globalinvestment managers and institutions,financial advisers, superannuation fundtrustees and financial services intermediarieson all aspects of investment managementand financial services regulation andcompliance. Sub areas cover: Superannuation FinTech and RegTech Wealth Management Investment Funds Management Financial Products Anti-Money Laundering ComplianceWorking as a Clerk, You WillUndertake Tasks, Including: Respond to instructions from funds,investment managers, FinTechs Review various constitutional ortransactional documents (eg Trust Deed) Research regulators’ updated rules (ASIC,APRA, AUSTRAC) Apply relevant financial services licencesfor domestic and international clients4 DISCOVER. DEVELOP. THRIVE. 2021For Clients Including: Australian superannuation funds Global and local funds managers Large financial advice organisations FinTech companies or start-upsWendy Li Worked as a Graduate –Here is Their HighlightNo single day is the same in thisteam! There are so many interestingmatters to work on – from regulatoryadvice to transactional assistance,from adversarial investigation tointernational collaboration therewill be a thing for you. People inthis team are helpful and willing toteach. You will find a lot of supportin this team!MEET THE TEAM
CORPORATEThe Australian Corporate team at K&L Gatescovers the full breadth of corporate andcommercial law from business structuring,M&A and capital raisings through to high valueprojects and tax issues. The group’s mainfocus area is on the mid-market as clients aremore inclined to undertake complex and highvalue work. They represent start-ups throughto large cap public and private companiesand state-owned enterprises. Specific areasin the Corporate group handle include:corporate/M&A, corporate contracting, capitalmarkets, technology, media and telecoms(TMT) and tax.Working as a Clerk, You WillUndertake Tasks, Including: M&A / Capital Markets – due diligence,client meetings, drafting corporatedocuments/forms and research onCorporations Act or ASX listing rules andguidelines M&A (health regulatory) – reviewingcommercial contracts and licences,drafting advice to clients and conductingresearch into the regulatory framework Technology transactions and dataprotection – reviewing softwareimplementation and software licenceagreements, due diligence, taking notesin negotiations, research and draftingadvice to clients. Including, the drafting ofprivacy policies and collection statements,pitches, regulator notifications andnotifications to affected individuals wherethere is a data breachFor Clients Including: M&A / Capital Markets – cross industrywith recent work in Fintech, Medtech,private equity/investment groups,professional services, agricultureand mining M&A (health regulatory) – public andprivate health service providers, agedcare and retirement living providers,private health insurers, along withpharmaceutical, medical device andbiotechnology companies Technology transactions and dataprotection – cross industry with work inenergy, fintech, oil and gas, health, telco,education and government sectorsJakem Marks Worked as a Graduatein M&A – Here is Their HighlightMy highlight as a graduate in theM&A team was being involved innegotiation and acquisition of anAustralian company, by our clienta German private equity company.I worked directly with the Partnerand Special Counsel draftingthe Share Purchase Agreement,the negotiation of its terms andfinalisation of the deal. Completinga merger or acquisition to thehighest standard requires strongtransactional law knowledge and apractical commercial mindset.MEET THE TEAMKLGATES.COM 5
ENERGY, INFRASTRUCTURE,AND RESOURCESK&L Gates Australian Energy, Infrastructure& Resources (EIR) group primarily focuseson the renewable energy and infrastructureindustry domestically and provides support toour global practice.The work the lawyers undertake in the EIRteam varies by each project and involveselements of corporate/commercial andtransactional work, project financing, property,environment & planning and disputes.Working as a Clerk, You WillUndertake Tasks, Including: Drafting and reviewing various agreementsEmily Thompson Worked as aGraduate – Here is Their HighlightI had the incredible opportunity tobe involved in the completion of theGunnedah and Suntop Solar Projects– the largest project financed solarproject in Australia for 2020. Beinginvolved in the final stages allowedme to see how all the pieces of alarge and complex project cometogether, while being exposed toa variety of different types of legaldocuments and principles, and workwith the client, financiers and otherK&L Gates teams. Attending client meetings Conducting legal and industry researchFor Clients Including: Renewable energy developers andcontractors Electricity generators, distributors andretailers Large construction and infrastructurecompaniesJessie Sun Worked as a Graduate –Here is Their HighlightI had the chance to work on variousmatters across the renewablesindustry, including wind and solar, aswell as social infrastructure projectsallowing me to develop a variety oflegal skills. I also had the uniqueopportunity to represent the firmwhile undertaking a secondmentwith a major client of the team. Thisallowed me to work directly with theclient and their in-house legal teamand be responsive to their needs.MEET THE TEAM6 DISCOVER. DEVELOP. THRIVE. 2021
FINANCEK&L Gates’ Finance group acts for lenders,borrowers, creditors, debtors, liquidators,trustees and other participants from a diverserange of industries including government,financial services, professional services,retail, manufacturing, transportation, logistics,agriculture, aviation and health care.The banking sub-group acts for clients inrelation to a diverse range of secured andunsecured lending transactions, includingacquisition finance, asset-based finance,commodity finance, corporate financeand equipment leasing. The restructuringand insolvency sub-group acts for clientsin relation to restructuring negotiationsand personal and corporate insolvencyappointments. This sub-group also engagesin significant commercial litigation, includingdebt recovery, asset preservation, securityenforcement, voidable transactions, bankingdisputes and tax fraud.Working as a Clerk, You WillUndertake Tasks, Including: Drafting completion checklists, transactiondocuments, court documents, deeds ofsettlement, letters of advice and othercorrespondence Observing client meetings, mediations andcourt hearings Undertaking and presenting research onnovel points of law Assessing various risks and conductingdue diligenceFor Clients Including: Various financiers, including three of thefour major banks in Australia Various insolvency accountants, includingthree of the four major professionalservices firms in Australia Listed and unlisted companies Australian Taxation OfficeChristian Smolders Worked as aGraduate – Here is Their HighlightAs a graduate in the Finance team,I was fortunate enough to assistin the financing of a large-scalerenewable energy project for aninternational client.Working across practices withour Energy, Infrastructure, andResources team, I was able to assistwith financial close and settlement,drafting and reviewing ancillarydocuments and supporting seniormembers of the team.Having a “hands-on” role in thetransaction was immensely rewarding,as was observing our work contributeto the development and constructionof key energy infrastructure in theAsia-Pacific region.MEET THE TEAMKLGATES.COM 7
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTYK&L Gates’ Intellectual Property (IP) practiceis a robust full market practice – with lawyers,trade mark attorneys and patent attorneyswho work with regional, national andinternational brands.In Australia, we have a comprehensive full IPservice offering unlike many other law firmsin this area. Our IP group is able to cover allaspects of IP law from idea generation andprotection through to prosecution acrossinternational markets.Our Australian Intellectual Property (IP)practice group focuses on commercial IP(trade mark and copyright licencing, lifecyclemanagement), patent litigation and IPlitigation, covering: IP and brand protection and enforcement(confidential information, patents) Global management of trade marks,copyright and domain names for largecorporates Domain namesWorking as a Clerk, You WillUndertake Tasks, Including: Research into court rules, case law andlegislation Assisting in the preparation of evidenceand discovery Attending hearings and conferences toobserve Drafting correspondence and legaldocuments8 DISCOVER. DEVELOP. THRIVE. 2021 Drafting and filing trade mark applications,trade mark opposition documents, anddesign applications Conducting trade mark clearancesearches Responding to examiner’s reportsFor Clients Including: The team advised clients across arange of industries such as fashion,building / construction, sport, software /technology, life sciences (which includespharmaceuticals, medical devices,genetics, biotech, and agribusiness/plantvarietals) and higher education.Talia Le Couteur Scott Worked as aGraduate – Here is Their HighlightThe highlight of my graduaterotation in the IP team wasthe opportunity to contributemeaningfully to litigious andtransactional tasks. For example,it was very exciting to watch theHearing Officer at an IP Australiatrade mark hearing consider legalarguments I had researched andsubmissions I had drafted.MEET THE TEAM
LABOR, EMPLOYMENT, ANDWORKPLACE SAFETYK&L Gates’ Australian Labour, Employmentand Workplace Safety (LEWS) team is afull service national employment, industrialrelations and work health and safety practice.For Clients Including:Offering services across the full spectrumof employment and industrial lawextending across managing the individualemployment relationship, collectivebargaining and industrial disputes, handlinganti-discrimination matters and assistingemployers to respond to workplace safetyincidents and prosecutions. We havesignificant litigation experience in disputes,unfair dismissal, adverse action and equalopportunity claims. Large health sector organisations,including hospitals and research centresThe Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) andregulatory expertise extends to preparingWHS and other regulatory policies andcompliance programs, conducting in-housetraining, advising clients on their rightsand responsibilities in the event that anincident occurs and liaising with the relevantsafety regulator, police and coroner duringinvestigations.Working as a Clerk, You WillUndertake Tasks, Including: Drafting employment contracts, courtdocuments and advice for clients Attending hearings, mediations andconciliations Conducting legal research Some of Australia’s highest profileprofessional sporting clubs A wide variety of pro bono clients,including organisations involved in legalassistance for refugees and the socialwelfare of young peopleAaron Prabhu Worked as aGraduate – Here is Their HighlightMy highlight from working in the teamand the reason I wanted to returnwas the constant variety in the typeof work I undertook. I did a lot oflitigation work, assisting at all stepsof the claim and often being able toattend a mediation or conciliationat the end. As well as this, I workedon investigations into underpaymentissues and misconduct at work, anddrafted articles and presentationswhich helped me to learn more aboutthe area.It’s a busy and social team, and there isalways lots to do. This really suited meas a graduate and allows you to showyour interest in the practice area andthe people you will be working with.MEET THE TEAMKLGATES.COM 9
LITIGATION ANDDISPUTE RESOLUTIONK&L Gates Litigation & Dispute ResolutionGroup take on the full spectrum of disputesinvolving the most complex and difficultengagements. The team is experienced incontractual disputes, tort claims, regulatoryinvestigations and prosecutions, constructionand engineering-based disputes, jointventure disputes and defends consumer andshareholder class actions.The group also conducts significant,complex, multi-party litigation in all AustralianState and Federal courts and Tribunalsas well as domestic and internationalarbitrations (ad hoc and institutional). Theirteam members are experienced in all formsof alternative dispute resolution includingnegotiation, mediation, expert determinationand early neutral evaluation.Working as a Clerk, You WillUndertake Tasks, Including: Drafting memos in respect of legalresearch Assisting team members with tasks suchas discovery Drafting court documents includingAffidavits and Subpoenas Reviewing records and draftingchronologies Shadowing team members to conferences,mediations and court Assist with drafting legal submissions10 DISCOVER. DEVELOP. THRIVE. 2021For Clients Including: The Victorian Managed InsuranceAuthority, Legal Practitioners LiabilityCommittee, Crown Melbourne Limited,Cricket Australia, Porter Davis Homes andNational Australia BankElise Vrijens Worked as a Graduate– Here is Their HighlightAssisted in the preparation forappeals in the Supreme Courtand Federal Court, assisted mysupervising partner with preparationfor Court appearances andmediation and attended the sameand attended site inspections withour client, counsel and experts.Karen Liu Worked as aGraduate – Here is Their HighlightPrepared for and attendedmediations, instructed counselfor court appearances includingfor coronial inquests and civilproceedings and also conferred withwitnesses to obtain evidence.MEET THE TEAM
REAL ESTATEK&L Gates Australian Real Estate Groupadopts an integrated ‘from concept tocompletion’ approach to all aspects of realestate law, including transaction structuring,investment platforms, capital transactions,project management, major leasing,development and urban renewal.Further, the team offers a full complementof both front and back end developmentand construction expertise throughout thelifecycle of a project (from initial projectinception planning, through to tendering,tender evaluation, contract award,construction and operation). If disputesdo arise, the team structures transactionsto include robust dispute resolutionmechanisms to manage and limit escalationof disputes to full blown litigation.This team has extensive experience advisingclients on planning and environmentmatters. This includes assisting clientsto navigate complex planning regimes tooptimise approval pathways and timeframes,successfully manage contaminationissues and environmental risks includingcompliance with environmental protectionand pollution control laws.Working as a Clerk, You WillUndertake Tasks, Including: Undertaking research for transactions andadvice that has an interesting and topicalplanning or development focusFor Clients Including: Large property developers such asHamton Property Group, Schiavello andBensons Property Group Major corporations such as NAB, Telstra,Hancock Group and Orica Various local councils such asManningham City and Ballarat CityCouncilsNicholas Fellows Worked as aGraduate – Here is Their HighlightHelping revise lease agreements inthe wake of the COVID-19 outbreakfor a major mixed-use development inClayton. I recognised the site from mytime at Monash University so I enjoyedhaving a “real world” reference pointfor the work being done!MEET THE TEAM Drafting contracts of sale, leaseagreements and other documents fora range of commercial and propertydeveloper clients Preparing court documents for litigiousmatters at VCAT and the Supreme CourtKLGATES.COM 11
OPPORTUNITIESBrisbanePerthSydneyMelbourneClerkship ProgramsAs a law student in your penultimate year atuniversity, a clerkship program is the idealopportunity for you to experience firsthandwhat it is like to work as a lawyer in our firm.As a seasonal clerk you will be embeddedinto our practice areas and be involved inreal legal work right from the start, givingyou in-depth experience and providing realinsight into life as a corporate lawyer atK&L Gates.Not only will you get to experience what itis like to work in a global corporate law firmfirsthand, you will have the chance to enjoyour down to earth culture we are known for.Clerks are encouraged to attend learning anddevelopment sessions, firm celebrations andother activities such as staff drinks and ourregular pro-bono, community and charitableactivities. There will also be opportunitiesto join in on some of the work our DiversityCommittee does to create an inclusive,diverse and supportive working environment.12 DISCOVER. DEVELOP. THRIVE. 2021MELBOURNE 4 week clerkship program 2 intakes per year; 1 summer and 1 winterSYDNEY 10 week clerkship program 1 intake per year over the summerClerkship dates and duration are subject tochange, so visit klgates.com/careers for detailsrelevant to your location.
OUR IDEALCANDIDATEGraduate ProgramOur graduate program is designed to giveyou the technical capability and commercialcontext to succeed.The program runs for 12 months, in whichtime you will complete three practice grouprotations. You will be exposed to a variety ofareas of corporate law in all your rotations.Throughout the year you are supported by abuddy, supervisor and mentor. Partners andsenior lawyers will support and guide youthrough each rotation and ensure you getthe necessary development. Your buddy—ajunior lawyer—will help you transition intoyour new role.Your professional development program runsweekly. It combines Practical Legal Training(delivered in-house by the College of Law),with sessions presented by partners, lawyers,external presenters and our professionaldevelopment team.You will have many opportunities to beinvolved in an array of firm events andactivities to match your interests, whetherthey be social, sporting, business orcommunity-focused.K&L Gates is about morethan practising law or makinga living. It’s about buildingsomething amazing—creatinga legacy for you, the firm, ourclients and the communities weserve.We look to recruit well-rounded, talentedpeople, to provide the opportunities andsupport for them to achieve their best. Itsounds simple, and to us it is.Our aim is to develop commerciallyorientated and entrepreneurial lawyers.Solid academic results are important butto be a future lawyer in our firm you needto demonstrate talent and skill in a varietyof areas.We are looking for smart, imaginative andhard-working people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and ideas to join us.Perhaps our search for talented visionariesand your search for important and impactful work lead to the same place.KLGATES.COM 13
THE APPLICATIONPROCESSThe ApplicationApplications for our clerkship andgraduate programs should be made online,via our website.Applications should include a cover letter,CV and academic transcript. We will alsoask you a few questions as part of ourapplication process.The Interview ProcessYou will experience a two stage interviewprocess with us.First Round InterviewYour first interview will be with one of oursenior lawyers that are part of our recruitmentteam, as well as a member of our HumanResources team.We accept clerkship and graduateapplications in line with lawsociety guidelines in the relevantstate. Please visit klgates.com/careers for application dates byoffice location.14 DISCOVER. DEVELOP. THRIVE. 2021The first interview is our opportunity toget to know you and will expand on yourapplication, your interest in K&L Gates andwill be a chance for you to get to know us.Second Round InterviewFor Melbourne and Sydney applicants, thesecond interview is a group activity. You willwork through a series of legal scenarios witha group of candidates and two members fromour recruitment team.The group interview is aimed at assessingyour ability to demonstrate your analyticalskills and to think critically and commerciallyas well as your teamwork skills (an essentialskill for our lawyers!).As part of our second interview, we hostan information session, giving you anotheropportunity to meet our people and get toknow more about life at K&L Gates.For Brisbane and Perth applicants, you willeither have a group activity or have a secondround interview with a partner and specialcounsel or senior associate. This will take asimilar format to your first interview but isanother opportunity for you to meet people indifferent teams and to get to know the firm—so be sure to ask the questions you reallywant the answers to.OffersOffers for a clerkship or graduate role willbe made in accordance with the relevantstate guidelines.
TIPS FORSUCCESSApplicationTipsYour online application is your first opportunityto stand out. Take a look at the key attributeswe look for in a clerk or graduate and tailoryour application to showcase these.If you don’t have legal experience, don’t makethis a focus of your application. Instead, tellus how the experiences you have had wouldrelate to a clerkship or graduate position atour firm. Remember, you gain and build onkey skills through all aspects of your life,so be sure to include relevant work history,academic achievements and personalinterests—these all make you!Wondering how to demonstrate yourcommerciality? Remember, we are a corporatelaw firm, so tell us about your interests incommercial aspects of the world, such asin business or finance. Explain why youwant to be a corporate lawyer and why areyou interested in K&L Gates specifically. Weunderstand you will be applying to other firmsbut make sure you tailor your application toshow us why K&L Gates is the right place foryou to start your legal career. Take a look atour website to find out who we are but don’tjust copy and paste from there—we know whowe are, we want to know who YOU are.Before you submit your application, read itagain, then again. Then, ask someone elseto read it! Accuracy and attention to detailare key skills for a lawyer and you need todemonstrate this in your application. So makesure you correct any typos—or references toother firms!InterviewTipsFirst impressions really do count, so makesure you consider this when preparing foryour interview. Double check the date, timeand location of your interview and planahead—know where our offices are so youare on time. Not only is it a bad look tobe late, you will feel far more relaxed andcomfortable if you arrive in good time and areable to sit and gather your thoughts for a fewminutes before your interview.Know your CV and application form back tofront. This forms the basis of our interviewand we will ask you questions in relation tothe information you submitted.Most importantly be yourself. Be honest inyour responses and don’t be afraid to askquestions about us or the firm that are specificto what you are looking for in an employer.KLGATES.COM 15
K&L GATESAT A GLANCEGlobally PoisedClient FocusedK&L Gates is one of the largest law firms inthe world with more than 40 offices locatedin key capital cities and world commercialand financial centres across five continents.Our broad platform offers clients local marketknowledge and access to both national andinternational capabilities. With the combinedtalent, experience, and resources of nearly1,800 lawyers, our global reach extendsbeyond our office locations to areas includingAfrica and India.In all we do, our objective is to providenothing short of the utmost value to ourclients by providing solutions to theirlegal and business needs. Our client-firstapproach is manifested firmwide—frommatter management and pricing practices,to the technology and innovations we apply,to our deep industry and sector-specificknowledge across the key industries inwhich our clients operate—our clients’ bestinterests are at the forefront of the decisionsand investments we make.Truly IntegratedWe may have many offices aroundthe world, but we operate as one firm,united and without borders. Being a fullyintegrated firm, we seamlessly representleading multinational corporations, growthand middle-market companies, capitalmarket participants, and entrepreneursin every major industry, as well as publicsector entities, educational institutions,philanthropic organisations and individuals.Our robust set of multidisciplinary practiceareas and services, combined with ourcollaborative culture, means our clients canconfidently turn to us to guide them throughnearly any legal issue with reliable serviceand a consistent experience.16 DISCOVER. DEVELOP. THRIVE. 2021InnovativeWe strive to meet our clients at the criticalcross-roads of their challenges and businessneeds to help them navigate the increasinglycomplex legal landscape. In today’s dataheavy, fast-moving, and multijurisdictionalenvironment, we understand the importanceof being able to manage the growing volumeof information at ever-increasing speeds.That’s why we carefully invest in technologyplatforms, harness innovative techniquesin processes and procedures, and create aculture of driving growth which enhancesour efficiency and delivery of services,facilitates collaboration, and helps solveclient problems.
Named toAustralasianLawyer’s 2020INNOVATIVELAW FIRMS LISTSocially ResponsibleOn top of our commitment to our clientsand the legal profession, we are dedicatedto working together for the common good.This core value is more than just rhetoric.Corporate social responsibility is more thana management imperative at K&L Gates,it’s woven into the DNA of our firm.Diversity and InclusionWe are committed to creating a diverseand inclusive working environment.Our firm wide Diversity and InclusionCommittee focuses on increasing therepresentation of women in leadershiproles, increasing the representation ofAsian Australian lawyers and raisingLGBTQ awareness and inclusion in theworkplace. We are proud members ofthe Diversity Council of Australia, Pridein Diversity, Asian Australian LawyersAssociation and Victorian Women Lawyers.We share a vision for a just, equitableand reconciled Australia. To achieve thatvision, we must engage in dialogue withAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoplesto understand how we can actively supportreconciliation with Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander peoples in our businessactivities and communities more broadly.Framing our approach to the multifacetedtasks of reconciliation is our 2020-2021Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).Pro Bono and CommunityOutreachWe actively encourage our lawyers toprovide pro bono legal representationand to participate in other charitable,community, educational, and professionalactivities. Our annual Global Day of Serviceprogram helps
acquisition finance, asset-based finance, commodity finance, corporate finance and equipment leasing. The restructuring and insolvency sub-group acts for clients in relation to restructuring negotiations and personal and corporate insolvency appointments. This sub-group als
