June 2025: Part 3: We asked current graduates Vidushi, Jack and Jessica to tell us about their day-to-day work and share career advice for aspiring lawyers interested in working in their area of the law.
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Antitrust and Competition – Vidushi Sinha Tell us about your practice area. "The Antitrust and Competition team helps clients navigate competition laws and secure regulatory approval for mergers and acquisitions. Our work often involves analyzing how transactions affect market competition and advising on compliance with Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) requirements. We also assist in drafting Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) applications." |
What makes this an interesting area to work in?
"This is a dynamic area that sits at the intersection of law, economics and public policy – particularly relevant in high-stakes corporate deals (but you don't need an economics background!). It's interesting as you work across a breadth of areas, such as telecommunications, aviation and technology for some big-name clients—no two days are ever the same!"
What's most challenging about your work?
"Applying legal principles to real-world market dynamics can be challenging—especially in fast-evolving industries. It's a technically demanding area of law, and the learning curve is steep as you quickly get up-to-speed on both the legal framework and the practical skills needed to draft clear, commercially focused advice."
What skills do you need to succeed in this team?
"Strong analytical skills and attention to detail are essential, as is the ability to communicate complex issues clearly to both clients and regulators. You also need to be enthusiastic, have a positive attitude and be willing to step outside your comfort zone—it's definitely one of those "stretch" opportunities that pushes you to grow quickly."
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Corporate M&A – Jack Brasher Tell us about your practice area. "My team advises companies on the legal aspects of buying, selling or merging with other businesses, representing both buyer- and seller-side clients. The team is involved in various stages of transactions, including due diligence, contract negotiation, regulatory compliance and the subsequent integration of corporate structures." |
What makes this an interesting area to work in?
"This is an interesting field due to its dynamic nature, as it is constantly driving and reacting to global affairs and trends, which provides the opportunity to work on high-value, high-impact deals. Currently, the Middle East is a hotspot for significant investment and interesting transactions, as sovereign wealth funds and private investors increasingly seek to diversify their portfolio and make strategic global investments."
What's most challenging about your work?
"The nature of cross-border M&A transactions, particularly navigating intricate legal and regulatory frameworks, managing and working with a number of stakeholders, and ensuring alignment with the client's strategic objectives and timelines."
What skills do you need to succeed in this team?
"Flexibility is crucial, whether it involves adjusting your current tasks to meet critical deadlines or collaborating with a number of different lawyers and clients. Grit is also essential, as it drives you to persevere through demanding due diligence processes and challenging negotiations."
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Disputes – Jessica Williams Tell us about your practice area. "The Disputes practice is involved with legal conflicts or disagreements between two or more parties, often arising out of commercial contracts or relationships. We are not only involved in traditional forms of litigation, but also alternative forms of dispute resolution, including mediation, arbitration and expert determination." |
What makes this an interesting area to work in?
"There's always something new to learn in Disputes! Whether it's a new case, a new piece of law or a new product you never knew existed, no two cases are ever the same."
What's most challenging about your work?
"Dispute resolution is a long-term game. It takes time and effort to see the bigger picture, especially in the first few months; but it's a worthwhile effort to see where your work fits in."
What skills do you need to succeed in your team?
"Graduates are involved in a wide range of tasks, from preparing research memos, to drafting letters, or reviewing submissions. At its core, this requires a keen attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and the ability to write clearly and concisely."
