International Clerkship Report

Omid Uskowi, September 2008

Sponsoring Office:   Washington DC
Receiving Office:     Sydney, Australia

I was fortunate enough to take part in Baker & McKenzie's International Clerkship program. After spending, and thoroughly enjoying, the first half of my summer in the Washington DC office, I took off for Sydney.

The transition could not have been easier; the Sydney office arranged for everything. On my first day of work, after being stunned by the view overlooking Sydney's Harbour Bridge and Opera House, I was introduced to the extraordinarily warm lawyers and staff of the Dispute Resolution group. My supervising partner, Joan Fitzhenry, and my mentor, Emma Clarke, went out of their way to make me feel welcome at the office.

I was assigned interesting work that gave me an opportunity to delve into Australian statutes and case law. The lawyers were very considerate in asking me to join them during court appearances, and in my short time I attended hearings at the Federal Court of Australia, the Supreme Court of New South Wales, and even applications for leave at the High Court of Australia.

Upon completion of my clerkship I had the opportunity to travel in Australia, which included a fair deal of fishing and diving by the Great Barrier Reef.

I left Australia having met and worked with interesting, intelligent peers, taken part in a familiar yet intriguingly different legal system, and witnessing some of the most beautiful sights the country has to offer.

I will look back on this experience fondly. I highly recommend taking part in Baker & McKenzie's International Clerkship.