By Jasleen Atwal, Addisons Graduate Program 2024
8:30 AM
I arrive at the office and set up my computer before heading out to grab a coffee with the other graduates. We make sure to plan regular catchups as we are a tight-knit group despite being spread across different floors. We update each other on our lives and share how our rotations have been going. There is an abundance of great coffee options in this part of the city.
9:00 AM
When I get back to the office, I scroll through my emails and write down my tasks for the day. This is a simple yet efficient way to ensure you stay ahead of deadlines. Diarise everything!
I finish drafting some Notices of Motion for Default Judgment that I have been preparing for the litigation team. An aspect I highly value about my rotation on the corporate floor is the extensive exposure to litigation, advisory and transactional work. This experience has been instrumental in helping me identify the areas of practice that I resonate most with.
10:00 AM
I make my way to our weekly team meeting. We discuss the matters we are currently working on, our capacity and any upcoming deadlines. These meetings offer a valuable time to reconnect and to gain insight into the exciting matters that others in the team are working on.
10:30 AM
After the team meeting, I join a Microsoft Teams call with a Partner and a large audio equipment company. My responsibility is to take detailed notes of the client’s instructions as I will be assisting in preparing the advice. After the meeting, I commence preliminary research, delving into the intricacies of consumer law.
12:30 PM
Today is run club day at Addisons! Every second Wednesday, our run club meets up for a refreshing run, or for some of us, a leisurely walk. We take a scenic route through the Botanic Gardens, enjoying the sunny city along the way. This is a wonderful opportunity not just for exercise, but also to reconnect with friends from my previous rotation in Property and Environment and Planning. I grab a chicken salad on the way back for lunch. It’s a highlight of my week, combining fitness, nature, and great company.
1:40 PM
Once I return to the office, I dive straight back into a research task assigned by my supervising Partner. My task is to research and prepare a memorandum for our client on the process of transferring water allocations. Once the memorandum is finalised, I will proceed with the transfer of the water allocations. When I first joined the team, I expressed my interest in energy and agribusiness. My supervising Partner took note of this, and as a result, I’ve been given increased opportunities to work on significant agribusiness and water law matters.
4:00 PM
In the afternoon, I am tasked with reviewing a cross-border agreement between businesses based in Australia and China. This task is particularly intriguing as it involves closely analysing an international contract and understanding the nuances of how they are drafted. I spend the rest of the day drafting comments and amendments to ensure the agreement is accurate and thorough.
After submitting my time entries for the day, it’s time to head home. After cooking some dinner, I catch up on my favourite show as I wind down for a good night’s sleep.