MICAHEL LI
Preliminary questions:
What year did you graduate from Law School?
2019
How long have you been at White & Case?
18 months (started in March 2020)
Which team/practice group are you currently working in?
Hong Kong - Corporate/M&A
Why did you choose White & Case?
I knew early on in law school that I wanted a cross-border career, working with international clients and on international deals. With this in mind, White & Case was my first choice because of how truly global it is – no firm in Australia matches it in terms of international presence and scale, so it really was a no-brainer.
Have you been exposed to any cross-border interactions while working at W&C?
Yes – more than I could possibly count! In my current rotation alone, almost all of the deals I’ve worked on have had a significant cross-border element. So far, I’ve done work for clients based in Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong, India, Saudi Arabia, the United States and many others, often on large international transactions with workflows spanning multiple jurisdictions. The most rewarding aspect, however, has been getting to work with colleagues all around the world. Despite being countries and even continents apart from each other, there’s a real sense that you’re working together as one unified global team – it’s what makes the occasional late night or early morning calls between offices worth it!
What has been your greatest highlight during your time at the firm?
Working in the Hong Kong office on international secondment has been the most memorable experience so far. In addition to the privilege of working on some incredibly interesting and top tier deals, I’ve been able to meet and work with so many amazing and inspiring people, colleagues and clients alike. And of course, Hong Kong itself is such an exciting city to work and live in – I will definitely miss the food and shopping here once I’m gone!
How would you describe the culture at White & Case?
As I said before, working at White & Case feels like being in one big team. We all go out of our way to support one another and make each other feel heard – it’s how you’re ultimately able to get through a deal together!
(Michael did not attend MLS but nevertheless provides some invaluable insights)
PEGGY GUSAH
Preliminary questions:
What year did you graduate from Melbourne Law School?
I graduated in July 2020.
How long have you been at HSF?
Nearly two years counting my time as a paralegal before commencing as a Graduate.
Which team/practice group are you currently working in?
I’m currently rotating through the Environment, Planning and Communities team within our Real Estate practice group.
Why did you choose HSF?
I found the people and the culture at HSF really welcoming and friendly. People have all different personality types and I felt comfortable being myself. From my interactions with people at the firm and through the clerkship process, I knew it would be an environment of growth and development.
What has been your greatest highlight during your time at the firm?
I’ve had the chance to work on really interesting matters for some of our clients and have loved getting to understand their organisations, key goals and internal practices. It’s hard to pick one highlight from my time at the firm, but a really wonderful experience was working across state borders on a pro bono project with colleagues to produce a digital resource that contributes to Australia’s truth telling about the historical treatment of First Nations people within law and policy.
What advice do you have for someone who is about to embark on the clerkship application process?
Take the time to consider what your interests, values and goals are. Essentially, why are you engaging in the clerkship process? The process can be challenging at times, so it’s important to remember why you’re doing this, and that your value as a person is not derived from your job title. Also, speak to as many people as you can to better understand their work and see whether this aligns with what you’re looking for.