White & Case

The pay is great and is top of market at the moment. I'm also aware that it will increase once we are admitted as lawyers. The benefits include working from home equipment allowances, wellness allowances, Ubers home after 8pm from the office, Uber eats allowances for working late, occasional free tickets to plays/performances (although not advertised as part of the role)

The pay offered for my position is top of the market and I am extremely satisfied with the amount, given my position. While top of the market salary comes with certain expectations relating to the quality of my work and expected working hours and billable targets, the expectations at White & Case are not unreasonable. There is a firm wide approach that graduates are not expected to work long hours simply because of the pay. Rather, I have only been asked (not demanded) to work overtime during a matter for a key global client where the other side imposed a tight timeframe. Additionally, I am only asked when my entire team is expected to work those hours. In terms of billable targets, these targets are higher than other firms because the Australian offices are fully integrated and expected to reach targets that apply to the American and European offices. Further, the firm seeks to assist graduates as much as possible, with the directions being to bill all of your time and the Partner(s) will decide what can and cannot be billed. It is important to highlight that there is no expectation that graduates meet their billable targets. The best perks offered in my role include a generous work from home allowance to cover the cost of items to facilitate working from home, a health and wellbeing allowance, and trips to the Melbourne office with my team where flights and accommodation are covered. Further, the firm pays for dinners and Ubers in circumstances where you work past a particular time.