Is Corporate Law My Only Other Career Path?

As a first-year, the question burning in my mind was: ‘What is a clerkship?’. By second-year, the question had turned into: ‘How do I get a clerkship?’. While the answers to these questions have become clearer the further I travel into my law degree, one question still remains. Is corporate law—the traditional clerkship and graduate offer pathway—the only choice? 


What is a Clerkship?

A clerkship is a period of training you undertake at a firm. Most firms generally only allow penultimate and final year students to apply. Usually, applicants must undergo rigorous interview processes in order to successfully apply. It is important to remember clerkship rejection or acceptance is not an end-all. The acceptance rates are competitive and sometimes depend on stray variables, like whether your recruiter slept well or had a good lunch that afternoon. While most law students pass on to become lawyers at large commercial firms with 200+ employees, keep in mind the law field is vast and corporate law is not the only pathway. Moreover, while experience is important, clerkships are only one type of experience—your academics, volunteering, extra-curricular activities and internships are equally as valuable. 


What kind of firm do I look for?

When law firms all look the same during clerkship applications, it can be difficult to know where to apply. We recommend researching and deciding on around four to six firms to apply for. The application window is around one month, so that provides plenty of time to hone your cover letter and resume during the winter break. Make sure to plan ahead and pick the firms you would like to apply to and customise your cover letter to that firm’s specific law-practice you are interested in. Navigate the Law Students’ Society Clerkship guide for detailed information on a range of firms for an idea of each company’s culture, to help you decide which companies to apply for. 


What’s the work-culture like?

Work culture is a big worry for law students. Initially, the firms may look the same, but first-hand experience is the best way to get a feel for a company and distinguish a company’s culture for things they don’t advertise, such as flexible work hours or a healthy culture around mental health. 


Moreover, for those who don’t want to enter corporate law, there are a diverse range of clerkships, including criminal, governmental, and social justice-related clerkships and placements. 


These can lead to jobs like: 

  • In-house law is an alternative law pathway to corporate law. It offers better benefits. 

  • Academia

  • Banking and finance 

  • Consulting: Clients consult you for business management advice.

  • Government: Think administrative law, such as drafting policy that guides legislation.

  • Social justice law includes environmental lawyers, asylum seeker human rights, LQBTQ rights and many more. 

  • Small business: Many big firms started from small roots, specialising in areas before expanding into the big firms they are today. If you have an interest in entrepreneurship and independent work, small business may suit you. 

  • Something else entirely: Even if you don’t end up taking up a law job, remember your degree will always support your future endeavours. The researching, writing, speaking and comprehension skills you have developed during your degree will be invaluable for whatever career you end up pursuing. 


What if I don’t get my dream offer?

And finally, even if you didn’t receive a clerkship or receive the clerkship you wanted, realise a vast world awaits you where your job description and job title does not define your self-worth. Similar to repeating year 12 in order to enter the degree or university you want, there is no stigma in studying part-time instead of full-time, effectively lengthening your degree to await the next round of clerkships. Make sure you are not delaying your future out of fear—but out of genuine motivation and passion to achieve your goals. But there is also no shame in accepting a less prestigious firm’s graduate offer. Sometimes labelled ‘mid-tier’ firms, this is deeply misconceived because a firm’s worth is not surface-level and superficially defined by the bonuses and an extra $8,000 yearly salary. The question is, would a reasonable person regard the sacrifice to work-life balance worth the extra benefits?


The same applies for graduate offers - if you don’t receive the one you want, grieve, but don’t let that grief control your future. Accept the offer you are truly pleased with, not the more lucrative or ‘benefits-filled’ one.


Conclusion

While corporate law is a popular option, and also conveniently lucrative, there are plenty of alternate pathways outside of the conventional cookie-cutter law jobs we are shaped to aspire for in our early years. The question is less if corporate law is your only choice—but whether corporate law is a reasonable choice for you. When you decide, keep mental health and work-life balance in purview. But ultimately, stay positive and give it a go. Who knows, you just might love your job!


Written by Amelia Chen

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