HWL Ebsworth

What's your job about?

I am a law graduate within the Construction and Infrastructure Team at HWL Ebsworth Lawyers, Brisbane. My team provides advice to multiple stakeholders at all stages of construction and infrastructure related projects, which means we assist in contract negotiation, drafting and management. Additionally, we provide advice and representation where disputes arise at any stage during a project, which may include attendance at adjudications or commencing litigation.

I'm often asked to attend client meetings to understand our client's concerns and then prepare an advice or undertake other specific tasks such as reviewing a draft contract or providing advice regarding risks and suggested contractual departures. A practical example of this would be drafting a new clause to safeguard a client against an identified risk. 

Where my client is involved in a dispute, I will review the facts of the matter and provide advice on whether the client is likely to win or lose if the matter proceeded to court. This assists my client to understand the risks of litigation and to make an informed choice on whether they should attempt to settle the matter. All my work is supervised, and I am consistently provided excellent opportunities to grow.

What's your background?

I grew up on the Gold Coast and started my professional career as a registered nurse.  After some years, I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in law - so I went back to university.  When I was in my final year of law, I attended a networking event where I met several employees from HWL Ebsworth Lawyers ('HWLE'), and I was pleased with how friendly and professional they were. Consequently, after the event, I applied for the HWLE Winter Clerkship Program. The Winter Clerkship allowed me to work at HWLE for three weeks.  During this time, I was able to learn about the culture of HWLE and I knew that it would be a fantastic place for me to grow as a professional.  After the Winter Clerkship, I was offered a place in the Graduate Program. The Graduate Program was a 12-month experience whereby I rotated through three practice areas. I enjoyed the diversity and challenge of Construction and Infrastructure the most, and I was delighted to accept a permanent position within the team at the completion of my Graduate Program.  I have been settled in the team for two weeks and I'm so grateful for the many opportunities I have been given. 

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Absolutely! In my view, the more perspectives we have in a workplace, the better. The key characteristics required for my job are being a good listener, having strong attention to detail, being a clear communicator (both oral and written) and problem-solving skills. The key process to performing well in my role is to understand what is being asked of you, work through a problem logically, and then provide a clear and concise answer. I can’t stress enough that these characteristics can be taught so if you have an interest, give it a go!

What's the coolest thing about your job?

Every day is different and interesting! I am always solving diverse problems and there is such a sense of satisfaction when I find the answer!

What are the limitations of your job?

My job can be hard. To provide advice, I often need to review voluminous documents which can be time consuming and stressful when there is a deadline. Also, it can be challenging to provide advice in very complex matters and I can feel quite drained by the end of those days. That being said, being interested in the work greatly assists in my motivation to undertake and face the challenges of my role. If I am having difficulties, I always have the support of my team

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

1. Be kind to yourself and remember to tackle a problem step-by-step!
2. Network, attend events and get involved in as much as possible within your dream industry.
3. Follow what interests you, not what anyone else says you should do.

From Notre Dame to Practice: Why Clerkships Are Worth Your Time!

As a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where I completed a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce from 2018 to 2022, I appreciate firsthand the transition from academic studies to legal practice. During my penultimate year at Notre Dame, I was fortunate to undertake clerkships, including one at HWL Ebsworth Lawyers (HWLE). These clerkships had a profound effect on my understanding of the practice of law and ultimately led me to accept a graduate role at HWLE. Now, as a second-year solicitor in their Property team, I can appreciate how invaluable those experiences were in preparing me for my career.

My clerkship at HWLE provided hands-on experience from day one. I was actively involved in a variety of tasks - for example, attending client meetings and settlements, drafting advice and agreements, and assisting with due diligence on property acquisitions. Beyond substantive legal work, I also gained insights into practice management through targeted training sessions, while social and networking events offered opportunities to connect with practitioners across the firm.

What stood out the most during my clerkship was the professional growth I experienced. Skills like legal drafting, effective communication, managing competing priorities, and adapting to unfamiliar challenges simply can't be developed through textbooks alone. The practical experience I gained during my time at HWLE also translated directly into my studies, giving me a clearer understanding of how legal principles operate in practice. It helped me approach assignments with a stronger appreciation for the commerciality behind the (fictional) clients' instructions.

A key part of that development was the exceptional support provided throughout the clerkship. At HWLE, every clerk is assigned both a Supervising Partner and a Mentor, who offer ongoing guidance, encouragement, and constructive feedback. I found everyone I interacted with to be incredibly approachable and generous with their time - certainly putting to rest any stereotypes about law firms inspired by characters like Louis Litt from Suits! HWLE also places real value on work-life balance, which has made my transition into legal practice both sustainable and enjoyable.

Another benefit of clerkships is the exposure they provide to different areas of law. It's a great opportunity to explore what practice areas interest you and, just as importantly, what might not be the right fit. The theory you learn at university often looks quite different in practice, and seeing that firsthand is beneficial. For me, the experience confirmed my interest in Property law, and that clarity played a big part in my decision when it came time to choose the practice areas for my time as a graduate.

It's understandable that the clerkship application process can feel time-consuming and overwhelming during your well-earned break after exams. However, the effort is worthwhile - not only for the opportunity to secure a clerkship but also for the professional skills and connections you develop along the way. HWLE, like many firms, uses clerkships as the primary pathway into its graduate program. That said, if you don't secure a clerkship or decide it's not the right path for you, there are many other ways to build a successful legal career.

I strongly encourage you to consider applying for a clerkship - the experience will challenge you, help you grow, and open doors as you take the first steps in your legal career. 

What's your job about?

I work as a Law Graduate in the General Insurance team. Our team primarily acts for insurers (and their insureds) in litigated and non-litigated claims including personal injury, public liability, property damage and professional indemnity claims. In my role, I have day-to-day conduct over a full file load. My tasks include drafting court documents, reviewing evidence (including documents provided by our client, by way of discovery or under subpoena), drafting written letters of advice to clients, corresponding with other parties to proceedings and appearing in court hearings. Junior lawyers in our team are tasked with having their "finger on the pulse" of all their matters as they are often best placed to assess the prospects of any legal claim. Providing this information in a coherent and persuasive manner is crucial in advising our clients about various strategies for claim resolution.

I find our work so interesting due to the variety of the subject matter and the people-based nature of each file. As an insurance litigator, you will alternate between acting for a school, a government department, a builder, an accountant, an owners corporation or a local council. Our work deals with real-life problems, so constructing a cohesive argument on behalf of your client requires real-world thinking.

What's your background?

I always had an eye on a career in the law: I am not sure if it was due to my stubborn and argumentative tendencies, my hatred of maths and science or my lifelong desire to wear a wig to work every day - before the Court did away with them!! After school I enrolled in a Bachelor of Laws at Monash University and throughout my degree I worked at a suburban law practice. My clerkship at HWL Ebsworth in 2022 was my first proper experience at a large, national firm. I completed other clerkships during my final year of study, but the combination of HWLE's diverse and high-calibre clientele, its supportive environment and its genuine commitment to mentoring and developing juniors drew me back for my graduate year in 2024. I haven’t looked back since!

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Absolutely. My job tackles real-life problems and requires real-world thinking. Whilst there is an obvious pre-requisite of a law degree, an insurance litigator would no doubt benefit from a wide range of experiences - no particular background is needed to succeed. That being said, in a high-volume litigation team, you need a strong work ethic and, in our team, a good attitude and willingness to engage with your peers is crucial to meeting the vibe test!

What's the coolest thing about your job?

The coolest thing about being an insurance litigator is the opportunity to step into the boxing ring. Some lawyers will never get the chance to see the inside of a courtroom - I could never be one of them. In our jurisdiction, you are faced with scenarios where your arguments will be put up against your opponents; be this at mediation, interlocutory hearings or even at trial. Competitive by nature, I relish this challenge and the strategic thinking that litigious work brings.

What are the limitations of your job?

My job requires a high level of organisation. You are simultaneously working on upwards of 30-40 files, each with their own unique facts and procedural issues. You need to be a master at using your diary to stay on top of everything, and that's before you even get to the legal work!

There are times where you work late hours, but it is not a daily event. On the spectrum of commercial lawyers, I would say our team facilitates a good work-life balance.

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

1. Take it easy on yourself. There is always an unavoidable level of anxiety about what your future holds in such a competitive industry. The reality is, as long as you apply yourself to your studies and have a good attitude, the people that succeed are the ones that can manage stress (whether this be on exam day, a clerkship interview or managing your workload in a job) better than others. So don't sweat the small things.
2. Enjoy the ride. Working full-time is fun, but it comes with responsibility. So, in between all of the study days, live your life.
3. Keep an open mind. Your life can change fast. Don’t try and predict the future, just put one foot in front of the other and see where it takes you.