By Sophie Anderson, Quin Lin and Siobhan Mussen
Stepping into a law firm as a junior lawyer marks the beginning of a challenging and rewarding professional journey.
As the 2025 graduate cohort of Clifford Chance in Perth, we entered the legal profession with a mix of excitement, uncertainty and ambition. What followed was a year of growth that saw us slowly loosen our training wheels by facing uncertainty and discomfort head on.
From lecture theatres to live matters
As our first experience working full time, this exciting step required adjusting to longer days and a faster pace as we settled into the rhythm of professional life.
The flexibility of university, where lectures could be watched later, work fitted around study and schedules changed easily, gave way to a more structured but demanding routine. However, we have been fortunate to have flexible working arrangements, accommodating those of us with longer commutes and personal commitments.
Beyond logistics, the mindset shift was perhaps the most profound. In practice, we were no longer working towards hypothetical answers, but instead we were able to collaborate and deliver real outcomes for clients.
Our work requires us to think big and apply legal principles in fluid, complex situations, helping us appreciate how smaller tasks feed into larger team strategies.
We quickly learned to embrace not knowing; at university, success meant having the right answer. In practice, uncertainty is the starting point.
We’ve progressed by questioning when we’re unsure and working with others to analyse problems. This newfound ability to collectively problem solve has been one of the most rewarding aspects of becoming practising lawyers and reinforces the importance of shared learning and mutual support.
The work-life balance equation
Developing work-life balance meant learning how to implement boundaries. For all of us, balance remains a work in progress.
We found that carving out time for exercise, hobbies and loved ones mattered just as much as showing up at work. A piece of early advice stuck with us: ‘this career is a marathon, not a sprint.’ Learning to slow down, rather than constantly push harder, became an unexpected skill for avoiding burn out even in our first year.
Implementation of boundaries sounded scary at first, but with good communication and the ability to adapt, they are in turn respected. You come to learn how to work hard and make time for yourself.
Legal training often focuses on what needs improvement. While constructive feedback is essential, we also learned the importance of celebrating progress. A well‑run matter, a successful outcome, or mastering a new skill are all wins worth acknowledging.
Equally, learning to receive feedback without fear is part of professional development. Constructive feedback is not a setback; it is an investment in growth. The ability to reflect, adapt and improve is a skill that strengthens over time.
Finding our place
One of the defining features of the graduate program is exposure to different practice areas and different teams. This exposure has been invaluable over the last year in uncovering our interests.
Some of us saw a longstanding interest in international arbitration come to life during our rotation, working on cross border disputes and observing how global systems interact.
Others were surprised by how much they enjoyed the pace and commerciality of corporate work, despite initially feeling apprehensive about transactional matters. Some of us discovered that we thrive in the fast‑paced, commercially focused world of front-end work, where shorter timelines and clear deliverables proved energising.
Meanwhile, others were drawn to the steadier, more predictable timelines of litigation and arbitration, appreciating the chance to engage deeply with the law through detailed legal discussions and strategic case‑building.
There is a quiet satisfaction in working alongside colleagues toward shared objectives for a client, with each person contributing a unique approach or perspective.
Perhaps our most important learning so far has been to remain curious and open minded. Although we won’t be able to experience all areas of the law before settling in a practice area next year, we can understand from our colleagues and the broader Clifford Chance network how our futures may look and choose to shape them accordingly.
Looking ahead: London and beyond
Our next shared adventure is our six-month secondment in London, a milestone we have been looking forward to since joining the graduate program. The opportunity to practise in another jurisdiction and experience a larger office will shape us both personally and professionally.
Some of us hope the experience will clarify whether we prefer large global teams or more boutique environments. Others are excited to explore new areas like Tech & Digital, gaining further exposure that will help in preferencing practice areas for settling next year.
Throughout the adventure that is the graduate program, we remind ourselves of one piece of advice: ‘none of these decisions lock you in for life.’ These early career decisions that seem mountainous (like clerkship choices, graduate program pathways and settling into a team) are important but not permanent.
There is reassurance, and even confidence, in knowing that uncertainty is not a sign of being unprepared; it is simply part of growing into the profession.
The people who make it possible
One of the most important lessons from our first year was that no one navigates the profession alone. Seeking out mentors, whether formal or informal, can make a meaningful difference. A mentor or trusted colleague can provide perspective, reassurance and guidance through challenges that inevitably arise.
The legal profession is built on relationships. Making and maintaining professional relationships, with colleagues, mentors, clients and peers, enriches practice and creates support networks that extend well beyond any single role or workplace.
Continuing the journey
As we look ahead, we recognise that this first year is just one step along a much longer path. Careers in law are rarely linear, and early decisions do not define an entire professional life.
Takeaways for early‑career lawyers
- Remember that your experience is valid, wherever and however you practise.
- Focus on how you can add value as a junior through reliability, curiosity and teamwork.
- Seek out mentors and trusted colleagues – you are not on the journey alone.
- Celebrate achievements, big and small, and view feedback as a tool for growth.
- Invest in professional relationships and shared learning.
