Pros
Starting salary AU$76,000 A few brilliant lawyers - you have to look hard to find them Good location (Circular Quay)
Cons
Once Blake Dawson became Ashurst, management pushed for higher KPIs, pushed out the normal partners and staff, and encouraged longer working hours for all. Those that weren't pushed out left - have a look at Lawyers Weekly and you'll see there's a constant exodus of partners who have worked there for several years/decades. Like many professional services firms, Ashurst has succumbed to the exploitative nature of billing per hour - the partners push everyone to work longer hours into the evenings and weekends and holidays, without giving an increased salary, bonus, or time off - because they make more money, of course. Ashurst is top tier, but not in the top three like Freehills, KWM or Allens - meaning they don't get the biggest and best matters. Billable hour target has gone up to 7 hours a day (high for Australia, but not high for Singapore, Hong Kong, Beijing, Toronto or New York) - this means you will probably do about 3 hours of admin, so minimum 10 hour days. Expect to eat lunch (and dinner) at your desk while you work. Lawyers are encouraged to bill in chunks - eg 8:30 am to 1 pm (lunchtime) - even if they stop for coffee, chatting, reading the paper, bathroom, morning teas, etc. The work done for clients is often a waste of their time/money. For example, a draft agreement will be done by a graduate - 3 hours, then reviewed by a junior lawyer for an hour, then reviewed by a senior associate and completely changed, then reviewed by the partner who again will change it. Don't come in with the expectation that you will be mentored and taught the ropes - you're unlikely to find that. Instead, teach yourself what you need to know and bill, bill, bill. Otherwise you can expect to be put on a performance management plan or asked to leave. Most summer clerks will find that their "graduate offer" start date is in 2-3 years time. There is little to no attention to mental health issues. When there is a suicide at the firm, an email is sent around saying "X has unfortunately passed away." It takes longer than ever before to make partner. In the 1970s and 80s it would have taken 5 years; in the 1990s, maybe 7-9 years; since 2000, it takes around 10-15 years, but for those starting now, it will be unlikely that you make partner in the less than 16 years. You can be in the exception if you have great connections or you can develop strong clients and use that as leverage - "either I'll take these clients to another firm or you'll give me partnership". Don't expect it to be handed to you. There are virtually no inspiring personalities in the partnership. There used to be plenty - Elizabeth Broderick, Alan Cameron, Ron McCallum are some examples. Many of the partners have huge insecurities and issues in their personal lives - divorced, never see their kids, cheating, etc. Sometimes the cheating occurs with staff, and when it gets out, they are all asked to leave. This is not specific to Ashurst, but arguably more prevalent because of the negative culture. There is a bloated administrative team (marketing, HR, learning & development) that delivers far less value than they are worth - and often cause as many problems as they solve. The firm is getting smarter on outsourcing, but it still well behind the curve technologically. Terrible food for lunches and dinners.