Inside Lander & Rogers Lawyers (VIC)
Why did you choose to join Lander & Rogers?
I knew after clerking at Landers that this was where I could see myself truly enjoying coming to work every day. I was warmly welcomed into an inclusive, friendly and positive environment, and was interested in the work in a number of areas across the firm, as well as the diverse range of pro bono and community work the firm engages in. I could also see that while graduates were well supported and had a thorough training and development program, they were also given an impressive amount of responsibility with files.
What made Lander & Rogers stand out to you from other firms?
I was definitely attracted to the broad range of practice groups in the firm, and the fact that we would be rotating through four different groups as part of the grad program. I could also tell that Landers really cared about their people. Landers stood out as having a collaborative, down to earth environment where people were supported to be the best lawyers they could be. I loved that people were proud to be part of the Landers team, and enjoyed spending time with each other with Friday night drinks, sports teams and other social activities!
What's life like at Lander & Rogers?
Life at Lander & Rogers is busy, rewarding, challenging, and exciting. It is great to be constantly learning and dealing with complex legal issues in a high performing environment. As a grad you have the opportunity to appear in court instruct in trials, attend client conferences, and draft affidavits, letters of advice and other documents.
Describe your best moment of the graduate year
I can't pick one highlight! Social highlights include getting dressed up as chimney sweeps with the other grads for the mid-year party, and introducing my family to everyone around the firm on admission day with an amazing celebratory lunch at Landers. One of my best work moments was accompanying a client to court to assist her in making an application for an intervention order after receiving horrible threats from her ex-partner. And finally, a personal highlight of my grad year has been mentoring a law student who is an asylum seeker, as part of our pro bono program. We have developed a great relationship and have taught each other a lot.
Kate Schmidt
Lawyer (2017 Graduate Program)