As a graduate lawyer in the Banking + Projects team (B+P), I find myself working on a wide variety of matters, from multi-billion-dollar leverage finance transactions that find themselves on the front page of the AFR, to infrastructure projects that provide energy and utilities to thousands if not millions of Australians on a daily basis.
Although each day is different, I find that the following activities are constant throughout:
Drafting
One of my favourite tasks I get to do on a regular basis is drafting. Even at junior levels, G+T pushes their lawyers to take on substantive drafting tasks whilst receiving support from experienced senior lawyers. On any given day, I may be drafting a facility agreement or a general security deed for a client, preparing legal advice concerning a distressed infrastructure asset, or providing short, concise answers to clients’ bespoke queries. No matter what form of drafting I find myself doing, I am always intellectually stimulated and challenged by the task at hand.
Due diligence
An important part of any transaction is the legal due diligence process, which requires lawyers to analyse the legal documents of a company to assess the risks and potential roadblocks associated with the transaction. As a junior lawyer, I am usually involved in at least one due diligence process in any given week. This involvement allows me to expand and develop my legal knowledge and commercial acumen, whilst also improving my drafting skills when it comes to providing advice to clients regarding the reviewed material. Although the phrase “due diligence” may cause some law students to groan, I have found that at G+T the due diligence process is always varied, complex and fast-paced, as well as a great way to build camaraderie with my colleagues.
Training
In order to develop my legal skills and expand my industry knowledge, I try to attend at least two of the training sessions on offer at G+T every week. These can range from sector specific sessions, such as one I attended recently regarding the pricing of electricity, to more general sessions focussed on improving one’s understanding of core legal concepts or specific clauses. These sessions are usually accompanied by lunch or snacks (depending on the time of day) which definitely makes the sessions even more appealing.
Pro bono
G+T has a strong focus on pro bono work and every lawyer is given ample opportunity to get involved. Over the past few months, I have been helping a client navigate a complex tenancy dispute whilst also advising them on an application to have outstanding fines issued against them be withdrawn due to their special circumstances. It is great to be able to give back and provide support to individuals who might not have access to legal services otherwise.
Morning coffee
Last but not least — the morning coffee. Some days I might say that this is the most important task of the day. At G+T, there is a culture of grabbing a tea, coffee, or juice with your colleagues in the morning before the workday starts. I find it’s a great way to touch base with members of my team, have some laughs, and most importantly, get caffeinated for the day ahead.