Chris Jones (Admitted
27 April 2011)
I commenced my traineeship on 1 March 2010 and in the year (and
a bit) that has followed, I have been privileged in being able to
participate in a number of the legal functions Monahan+Rowell
performs. I have instructed a barrister in a Federal Court
matter, assisted in a large discovery task (some 2000 documents),
drafted affidavits and other court documents, written a letter of
advice to a client, attended a mediation with Patrick Monahan, as
well as assisting in a number of other tasks. It has been a
wonderful year and a rewarding journey. I have also been
privileged to work with so many great people at the firm, have had
the support of support staff and lawyers, and been privileged to
have learned from them all.
Claire Barrance (Legal
Trainee - 2011 / 2012)
The informal nature of the traineeship program at Monahan +
Rowell means that I have been exposed to various areas of the firm
including Construction, Medical Negligence, Insurance and Transport
within just a month. I have been fortunate enough to spend
time at a Coronial Inquest, attend conferences with clients and
experts and contribute to the day to day operation of the firm.
As trainees at Monahan + Rowell, we are encouraged to attend
internal and external seminars relating to work and general
wellbeing and the journey so far has enabled me to develop my legal
skills in a very supportive environment which will ensure that I
will get the most out of my traineeship year.
Chris Jones (Legal Trainee
- 2010 / 2011)
The past three months have been a very challenging and exciting
time, as well as a period of fast learning! I have performed
work for a variety of practice areas within the firm, including the
WorkCover team, the asbestos/medical negligence team and the
construction team. The work has included researching legal
options our clients might have in a particular matter, inspecting
and copying subpoenaed documents, attending a de bene esse hearing
with Counsel in Warrigal (whereby the Court attends the bedside of
a party to a proceeding who is too ill to attend court themselves
to give their evidence) and summarising reports written up for the
purpose of litigation, amongst many other things! I have also
been privileged to work alongside, and get to know well, my two
fellow trainees, Adam Stevens and Penelope Mason, both of whom are
great to work with and who are both very determined, hard workers,
which encourages me to be likewise.
Adam Stevens (Legal
Trainee - 2010 / 2011)
Drafting correspondence, filing court documents, attending
client meetings and appearing in court are just some of the
responsibilities I have had as a trainee at Monahan + Rowell
Lawyers. In three short months, I have had exposure to
meaningful and challenging work from a number of different practice
areas including medical negligence, litigation, insurance,
commercial and construction. The partners and senior staff
are accessible and provided invaluable support, supervision and
training. As an upshot, the transition from university to
legal practice has been smooth and my time as a legal trainee at
Monahan + Rowell has been very rewarding.
Penelope Mason (Legal
Trainee - 2010 / 2011)
My time with Monahan + Rowell has been an exciting learning
curve. The firm has provided me with a friendly and supportive
environment which has enabled a smooth transition between
university life and the professional legal world. It has been
a real benefit not being confined to one team, but rather having
exposure to all the types of matters the firm deals with. Monahan +
Rowell also has a particular interest in investing in its young
solicitor’s. I have been fortunate enough to attend a seminar
almost every fortnight since the commencement of my traineeship and
I have been encouraged to engage in many of the LIV activities held
throughout the year including the LIV & Hanover Welfare
Services Mooting Competition.
Connor Burdon-Bear
(Legal Trainee - 2009 / 2010)
This year has flown by, not only have I learnt a great deal I
have had fun doing it. Monahan + Rowell does not have formal
rotations during your traineeship which creates the opportunity to
work and learn in all areas within the firm. This has enabled me to
discover my passion and focus on the Construction/Litigation area.
This year I have been provided with more responsibility then I
thought I would have been given, I have had the opportunity to run
my own files and have access to many clients. Ultimately at Monahan
+ Rowell I have been given the freedom to discover which area/s of
the law I am most interested in as well as having an environment
that makes me look forward to coming to work each day due to the
friendly atmosphere.
Natalie Bodak (Legal
Trainee - 2009 / 2010)
My position as a Trainee at M+R has proven to be a rewarding and
exciting experience. Throughout the last 12 months I have
been exposed to all aspects of the practice groups and have been
given the opportunity to be actively involved in assisting with a
variety of matters. You never quite know what you will be
working on next, but you can be certain the work will be
stimulating and diverse. The progression from graduate to
Trainee is a big learning curve and I been fully supported by M+R
for the entire journey. It is truly a fantastic
experience!
Di Sciberras (much valued
support staff)
I have worked at Monahan + Rowell for 8 months and I can only
describe my experience as a warm and friendly one. It is nice
to be able to walk into work each day and not only be greeted by my
colleagues but by friendly lawyers and partners within the firm.
Yes, believe it or not, even the partners are nice, they are
not only welcoming but friendly as well, which seems to be a rarity
these days. I assure you in the 19 years I have worked in the
legal industry, this firm would have to be the best working
environment I have ever worked in. With friendly staff and a
relaxed working environment what more could an employee ask for.
And because the staff are so nice, you can't help but go over
and above the call of duty. |
