Bayley Mathai

January 2024 Graduate (Sydney)
Bachelor of Economics & Finance – Bachelor of Laws

Why did you choose KWM?

I chose KWM because of the work and the people. The nature of the work is fast-paced, complex, and engaging, and the people are friendly, welcoming, and talented! This combination makes KWM a great place to work where there’s always new challenges and great people with whom to tackle them.

What was your first six months like?

I learnt a lot in my first six months. In addition to graduate training, there was a high volume of interesting work to get involved in, which made work highly engaging. Going through the experience with a cohort was also great because we could exchange notes to help each other through and maintain a great social environment at the same time.

What has been a highlight from a work perspective?

Working directly with clients is always a highlight from my perspective. There was one matter in my first rotation where I had a high degree of contact with the client for a few weeks through an intensive stage of the transaction. Through the team and the client getting along well, we were able to complete a demanding stage of the matter with relative ease, and achieved what was necessary in the tight timeframe we needed to, which I found rewarding and engaging.

What skills do you consider important to succeed in your role as a graduate? Is this different to your initial expectations?

In my experience, the most important skills to develop as a graduate are time management, communication, and a willingness to engage with as much as possible. While this is not too dissimilar from my initial expectations, maintaining all these skills remains a balancing act that requires constant improvement!

What is the culture like at KWM?

The culture at KWM is great. From a work perspective, everyone is friendly, welcoming, and engaged with their work. From a social perspective, there are monthly firm-wide events at the office, regular practice-group and team-specific events, and sports teams to get involved in. All of this makes for a great firm culture and coming to work much more enjoyable.

What training did you receive on the graduate program? What opportunities for learning and growth have you been offered at KWM?

The training in the graduate program is comprehensive. The first week of the program is exclusively training and induction on everything including the structure of the firm, its systems, and all the legal nitty-gritty we need to be across before starting in our roles. These learning and growth opportunities continue throughout our careers as all practice groups regularly deliver firm-wide training sessions.

How would you describe the social aspect of the graduate program?

One great aspect of the program is that almost all new graduates begin with several weeks of PLT work at the College of Law together. This creates a close social cohort moving into the office environment, which extends into the first week of induction and ongoing training. Having a large cohort also means that it’s easy to organise social events together around work. All of this has set us up for a great social environment in which to start a career.

What were your expectations vs. your graduate experience?

The benefit of the KWM system is that it hires all (or almost all) of its graduates directly from its Clerkship Program. By the time you start as graduate, you’ve already had great insights into what the role might be like – a high degree of engagement with interesting work, lots of autonomy, and great people with whom to work.

Who would you recommend KWM to?

I would recommend KWM to aspiring lawyers who have a passion for solving complex problems, challenging themselves, and constantly improving. If you want to work in a place with the ability to keep learning about a wide range of subject matter and work with great people, then KWM is for you.

What challenges have you faced during your graduate program, and how have you overcome them?

As a graduate, balancing a high volume of training with billable work, team meetings, and firm events can be challenging, especially at the start and especially if you’re in a busy team. This challenge hones a graduate’s ability to manage time efficiently and prioritise effectively. Simple skills like email management (including auto-filing), keeping a running list of tasks, and maintaining an up-to-date calendar help a lot with balancing competing priorities.

Lucy Cornwell

2024 Graduate (Brisbane)
Bachelor of Arts/Laws

What work did you complete during each rotation of your graduate program?

I have been lucky to complete a huge variety of work during the graduate program. In DR, I have been able to assist with discovery, draft letters and court documents, draft emails to the other party and the court, prepare research and attend witness conferences and hearings. In Banking & Finance, I assisted with drafting a wide range of transaction documents, attended settlements on PEXA, liaised directly with clients regarding the progress of transactions and handled execution of documents.

What has been a highlight from a work perspective?

A highlight from a work perspective was being able to attend an arbitration in Sydney during my time in the Construction DR team. I was lucky enough to be able to work on the matter for the duration of my time in Construction DR, be involved in all of the hearing preparation and the hearing itself. It was a wonderful learning experience.

What support did you receive as a graduate?

I have received an enormous amount of support from KWM during the graduate program. I have had huge support from my buddy and a development coach each rotation. We also have more informal mentoring catch-ups with junior solicitors from other teams, as well as more formal support from the HR and graduate contacts within our centre. There is a huge network of people within my team and the firm more broadly that I know I can always go to with any question I might have.

What skills do you consider important to succeed in your role as a graduate? Is this different to your initial expectations?

I think the main skills or qualities required for succeeding as a graduate are curiosity, eagerness, and a willingness to learn. I think a lot of incoming graduates might worry that their team expects them to have existing technical knowledge about complex areas of law, but this is definitely not the case. For this reason, I think it is much more important to come into the graduate program with a good attitude and a willingness to learn, because you will be very well supported to develop technical knowledge and skills along the way.

What training did you receive on the graduate program? What opportunities for learning and development have you been offered at KWM?

The graduate program at KWM offers very comprehensive training. The first week in the graduate program includes a national and centre-specific induction with a huge range of sessions. There is also specific training for each practice area a graduate works in, as well as training on a team level. There are really endless opportunities to learn, with firmwide and practice CLEs offered frequently, as well as sessions on a huge range of legal and non-legal topics offered by external speakers.

How would you describe the social aspect of the graduate program?

The social aspect of the graduate program is one of the most special things about it. My first year as a graduate commenced by attending the national induction in Sydney, which was a great opportunity to get to know my Brisbane cohort and the national cohort better. Throughout the year there are many firm-organised social events, including specific graduate lunches where we catch up with the graduate team at the firm, social sport, and firmwide celebrations and events. We have also organised many additional events for our cohort, including a retreat, birthday and Christmas celebrations and graduate dinners.

Who would you recommend KWM to?

I would recommend KWM to anyone who is looking to have a really full graduate experience. At KWM there is opportunity to do amazing work across many different areas for a range of clients, learn lots and develop your skills as a lawyer. There is also the opportunity to be involved in a wonderful firm that is very welcoming and provides the opportunity to be involved in lots of things beyond the work itself.

Erika Serrano

July 2024 Graduate (Sydney)
Bachelor of Communications (Social and Political Sciences), Bachelor of Laws

Why did you choose KWM?

Throughout the recruitment process, every person I interacted with was kind and personable. At all stages, people displayed a genuine interest in my experiences, insight and development. Beyond this, I knew that choosing KWM meant I would be surrounded by industry leaders, learning from some of the best legal minds in the country.

What was your first six months like?

My first six months were intense and fast-paced, but this steep learning curve provided me with opportunity for personal and professional growth. I learnt to navigate full-time work and a new routine, while also being thrust into a team with a highly technical finance background. Though initially daunting, by the end of the six months I had a newfound sense of confidence and resilience, made possible by a team of individuals across all levels who provided mentorship and support.

What has been a highlight from a work perspective?

I was part of the deal team that advised on the financing for the largest M&A deal for 2024, and the second largest private capital M&A deal in Australian history. Being allocated to this matter in my first week of the graduate program provided me with immediate exposure to high profile matters and clients that the firm engages with.

What skills do you consider important to succeed in your role as a graduate? Is this different to your initial expectations?

I believe the most important skills are demonstrating initiative and consciously communicating, particularly regarding capacity and the status of allocated tasks. My expectations were challenged in my first week, when I was told that my primary role was not external facing, but it was to view senior team members as the client – for whom I should be making life easier. By anticipating the team’s needs and actively communicating, team members learnt to view me as dependable and to operate with a more hands-off approach.

What is the culture like at KWM?

KWM embraces a modern perspective on how a leading law firm should recruit and operate. Through the example of clerkship recruitment, the blind application process and focus on short answer questions evidence a focus on an individual’s experiences and values, rather than isolated factors like academic performance. This flows through to the collaborative and not strictly hierarchal operations of teams, and the general camaraderie at the firm.

Can you describe a typical day as a graduate?

Tasks vary significantly from team to team, but the primary role of a graduate is to anticipate the needs of the team and proactively assist. In my banking rotation, this involved printing relevant documents, preparing for and attending meetings and circulating notes to the team, and doing a first turn of finance documents. In disputes, daily tasks range from case law research, doc review, through to attending court listings. A constant is a coffee from the in-house café every morning.

What training did you receive on the graduate program? What opportunities for learning and development have you been offered at KWM?

As part of each rotation, practice groups offer tailored training on the area of law, supported by individual team training and a week-long intensive graduate digital bootcamp. In terms of learning and growth, teams are encouraged to offer feedback on tasks. This is supplemented by mid- and end-of-rotation performance reviews that allow you to assess your own individual objectives and performance, and manage these alongside your development coach and supervising partner.

What were your expectations vs. your graduate experience?

I expected to be given discrete tasks in isolation, with a particular focus on providing administrative support to senior team members. I was pleasantly surprised at the level of hands-on involvement in matters, and the effort put into providing matter context when delegating tasks. This allowed me to gain a practical understanding of how my work contributed to the larger transaction.

Who would you recommend KWM to?

I’d recommend KWM to anyone seeking to learn from the best legal minds, improve their technical abilities and be supported in their personal and professional growth.

What piece of advice would you give to someone considering a graduate role at KWM?

Don’t underestimate the benefit of working in a place that values community and supporting individual growth as equally as it values legal excellence and achieving market-leading benchmarks. As a graduate navigating the start of your legal career, you will appreciate the significant level of investment into your personal and professional development through formal and informal training and support mechanisms.

Yasmin Alali

January 2024 Graduate (Sydney)
Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Law

Why did you choose KWM?

Having previously worked in banking at university and enjoyed it, I wanted to translate my skills into a career that combined both my interests in law and finance. I chose KWM for its reputation as a market leader in these areas, as well as its people and collegiate culture. The firm’s global reach, high-profile clients, and ability to offer both transactional and litigation experience made it the ideal place to build a well-rounded legal career.

What was your first six months like?

My first six months were fast paced, yet incredibly rewarding. I rotated through the Leveraged Finance team, working on complex debt financing transactions while completing KWM’s in-house PLT program before admission. Balancing practical training with real deal work helped develop my legal and commercial skills early on, and the support from my team made the transition much smoother.

What work did you complete during each rotation of your graduate program?

In Leveraged Finance, I worked on debt financings, drafting facility and security agreements for borrowers and lenders. In Corporate & Financial Litigation, I assisted with discovery, legal research, and trial preparation for class actions. Currently in Private Equity M&A, I’ve been handling acquisition due diligence, drafting purchase/sale agreements, and managing deal processes - gaining a strong mix of transactional and litigation experience.

What support did you receive as a graduate?

All graduates receive strong support through structured training, mentoring, and hands-on learning. You are paired with a Development Coach and Buddy each rotation who provide regular check-ins, and the tight-knit graduate cohort is great to lean on. The P&D Team organise relaxed fortnightly catch-ups with graduates across all practice groups and are always approachable and supportive.

What skills do you consider important to succeed in your role as a graduate? Is this different to your initial expectations?

As a graduate, you are constantly learning and engaging with different teams, making communication, adaptability, and time management essential. While you are not expected to be a legal expert, being proactive and showing an interest in the work and clients is key. I initially thought legal knowledge was most important, but I quickly realised that teamwork and commercial awareness are just as necessary.

What is the culture like at KWM?

From my very first interview, I immediately felt that KWM had a vibrant, diverse and collaborative culture. People genuinely care about your personal and professional development and are always approachable. There is a great balance of hard work and fun, with plenty of social, sporting and cultural events for everyone.

Can you describe a typical day as a graduate?

No day is the same, although typically starts with checking emails and news updates (I’m not a morning person, so the gym waits until lunch or the evening!). I then prioritise tasks for the day with my team – drafting documents or conducting research. I’ll then take a walk to the Botanic Gardens and have lunch with some of the grads. There may be meetings or other training/CLE sessions throughout the day.

What training did you receive on the graduate program? What opportunities for learning and development have you been offered at KWM?

The training at KWM is comprehensive, covering legal skills, commercial knowledge and technology/AI. Graduates receive induction training in their first rotation and ongoing group training tailored to their practice areas throughout the 18-month program. This may include sessions from contract drafting, to learning the stages of a deal cycle. The firm encourages mentorship and hands-on learning, facilitating significant professional growth from day one.

Who would you recommend KWM to?

If you have enjoyed private law-related subjects at uni and demonstrate a strong commercial mindset, I highly recommend applying for the summer clerkship. Many students assume that legal experience is essential, but I had none prior to joining KWM. The best way to find out if this career is for you is to try it for yourself!

What piece of advice would you give to someone considering a graduate role at KWM?

Take any opportunity that comes your way, as you never know where it can lead you. The quality and breadth of training provided in the graduate program equips you with the necessary skills to succeed at KWM and beyond. Leveraging such transferable skills, you can shape your future career into whatever you make of it – many KWM alumni have gone on to be CEOs, consultants, judges and more.

What are you most proud of throughout your graduate program to date?

Looking back, I’m most proud of how much I’ve learned and grown in each rotation. Coming in without paralegal or legal experience, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but my finance and corporate background provided a strong foundation. It’s been rewarding to contribute to high-profile matters and build valuable skills for my future career.

Naren Iyer

January 2024 Graduate (Sydney)
LLB (Arts/Laws)

Why did you choose KWM?

I chose to begin my legal career at KWM for a variety of reasons. I was initially drawn to the firm’s impressive Band 1 rankings across various practice areas, but it was the interview process and the clerkship program that made me understand what sets KWM apart; beyond its market-leading reputation, I was drawn to the firm’s collaborative culture and commitment to developing great lawyers.

What was your first six months like?

My first six months as a law graduate were an invaluable learning experience. As a first rotator, I was given various opportunities to develop fundamental skills in my practice area through practice-specific training led by senior lawyers. Moreover, transitioning to full-time work whilst managing PLT study initially seemed to be a daunting exercise. However, the firm offers incredible support to first rotators such as PLT study leave and firm-wide workload support initiatives, ensuring a smooth and great first six months!

What has been a highlight from a work perspective?

A standout moment from my graduate rotations was being involved in the signing of major deal my team and I spent weeks tirelessly working on. Being my first M&A deal, I was given the opportunity to assist with coordinating the due diligence process. This moment was a true testament to our hard work and commitment, and the client feedback that we received made this achievement even more rewarding.

What skills do you consider important to succeed in your role as a graduate? Is this different to your initial expectations?

A great attitude and a strong eagerness to learn are key to success as a graduate at KWM. While the firm does not expect graduates to have deep expertise in a particular area, it is essential to show a genuine willingness to engage with each task. This perspective differed from my initial expectations—I assumed that success at a top-tier firm like KWM required a deep mastery of the law. However, I soon realised that a proactive mindset and a drive to learn are just as, if not more, important.

Can you describe a typical day as a graduate?

My day begins with reviewing emails and progressing administrative tasks (such as releasing my time sheets!) before diving into ongoing work. Recently, I’ve been assisting with drafting and finalising a due diligence report for a global acquisition, collaborating with a senior lawyer in my team. I then usually grab lunch with my graduate cohort – this is a great chance to connect with my colleagues in a personal capacity. Afternoons usually involve legal drafting, from conducting first drafts to actioning client comments. We also have team coffees most afternoons to combat the mid-arvo slump. Finally, I wrap up any urgent tasks before heading home for the night.

What training did you receive on the graduate program? What opportunities for learning and development have you been offered at KWM?

The firm offers a vast range of ongoing and pre-recorded training modules for legal staff, ranging from sessions on drafting contentious contracts to technology workshops on Excel and legal software. During rotations, tailored practice group inductions help graduates integrate smoothly. For example, in my third rotation with the RECE team, I’ve attended sessions on drafting construction contracts and project financing documents.

What were your expectations vs. your graduate experience?

Coming into the graduate program at KWM, I expected a demanding, high-pressure, and hypercompetitive environment, given KWM’s reputation as a market-leading firm with exceptionally bright lawyers. However, my experience has been markedly different. The firm provides incredible support, prioritising our legal and professional development, fostering a truly collaborative and welcoming culture.

Who would you recommend KWM to?

I highly recommend KWM to well-rounded law students who thrive on intellectual challenges. The firm provides exposure to market-leading deals and complex matters, offering unparalleled opportunities to work on some of the most complex and high-profile legal issues. For those aspiring to excel in top-tier law, KWM is the perfect place to start.

What piece of advice would you give to someone considering a graduate role at KWM?

Be open-minded and willing to explore different areas of law! As a graduate at KWM, you’ll have the opportunity to rotate through practice groups at the forefront of the Australian legal market. Your rotations will provide invaluable exposure to top-tier work across diverse practice areas, helping you discover your interests, develop key skills, and gain insights into different legal specialties.