These law firms are employers of choice for Aussie graduates

These law firms are employers of choice for Aussie graduates

Australian university students have been voting for the firms they would choose to work for in two national surveys.

In the GradAustralia Top 100 Graduate Employers rankings, announced last week in Sydney, law firms lag behind tech firms, the Big 4 services firms and certain government departments. Google Australia leads the list.

Allens topped all other law firms, followed by Herbert Smith Freehills and King & Wood Mallesons. Completing the 10-strong group that represented the legal industry are MinterEllison, Clayton Utz, Ashurst, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Gilbert + Tobin, DLA Piper, and Maddocks, respectively.

However, Allens is the only law firm to feature in a separate poll by the Australian Association of Graduate Employers. The list is topped by Evans Dixon.

“Each year we are delighted to welcome our new graduates and the fresh perspectives, enthusiasm and energy they contribute to our firm,' said Richard Spurio, Managing Partner, who accepted the GradAustralia award on behalf of the firm.

“It's an honour to have been recognised by university students across Australia. We're looking forward to welcoming many more exceptional graduates to Allens,” added Spurio.

Slater and Gordon says transformation is working

The ongoing transformation of Slater and Gordon has strengthened the ASX-listed law firm’s net asset position.

Half-year results (ended 31st December 2017) filed with the ASX show that the restatement of the senior secured debt facilities and the separation of the UK business has led to net assets of $90.1 million compared to the net liabilities of $248.8 million for the same period of 2016.

Total revenue from continuing operations was down to $96.3 million (from $117.8m) and the half-year net loss from continuing operations after tax was $21.2 million (from $14.5m). Net outflows of $0.8m were reported compared to net inflows of $6.1m in the same period of 2016.

The report says that the results show that the fundamentals of the underlying business are strong.

The firm says it has already delivered significant operational rationalisation and that it is delivering a “Streamlined, contemporary service offering with focus on organically growing core service areas of Personal Injury, Union Services, Class Actions, Industrial and Employment Law and Commercial and Estate Litigation.”

Earlier this month, John Somerville took over as Group CEO, succeeding Hayden Stephens who remains a non-executive director.

Banking partner joins Gadens

Elliot Raleigh has joined Gadens as a partner in its banking and finance practice.

He was previously a partner in the equivalent practice at Kemp Strang and has also worked at Clayton Utz, and Allen & Overy in London.

Raleigh says he was attracted to Gadens’ strong position in the market and its collaborative culture.