Sasha Stijacic

How did you get to your current job position?

I completed a seasonal clerkship with Ashurst in February 2022 in the Planning, Access & Environment team in Melbourne. I was lucky enough to be offered a graduate position with the firm later that same year, and I started as a Graduate Lawyer at Ashurst in March 2023. I am currently completing a Practical Legal Training course in order to be fully admitted as a lawyer later this year.

How did you choose your specialisation?

My first graduate rotation is in the International Projects Group (IPG) team. This team focuses on all the legal work associated with renewable projects and construction for clients, including project financing, legal due diligence, and providing general advice on legal issues. I have always been interested in the sustainability and renewable transition sectors, having also completed an Environmental Science major in my Science degree. Being able to combine my passion for sustainability and the law is something that I get to do every day in the IPG team, and keeps me engaged and interested in the varied work I'm involved in. I also know that this type of work will continue to grow in importance over the coming years, and Ashurst is well-placed to continue providing this service to clients.

What was your interview process like? 

My interview process was mostly held in the height of the COVID pandemic in mid-2021, so everything was done online. In addition to completing an application, which included providing a cover letter and CV, I also had an online interview via Zoom with a Partner and Senior Associate in my areas of interest. These interviews are all about getting to know you as a person, your interest in the law, and how you fit into the Ashurst culture and the way we work. I also had the opportunity to ask questions of the interviewers, which gave me a great insight into the things important to me, including training opportunities for junior lawyers and the social activities of the firm. Your interview process will likely be in person, and Ashurst also holds a number of networking nights throughout the year giving you the opportunity to meet our people and understand the work we do.

What are your areas of responsibility as a junior lawyer?

As a graduate lawyer in the IPG team, I'm often responsible for the first drafts of letters to clients, proofreading and editing important pieces of legal advice to be sent to clients, and helping out with the signing process for big transactions that the team works on. Starting on small tasks as a junior lawyer can help to build up your commercial knowledge and confidence in your area of expertise, getting you prepared to take on more responsibility within the team.

Can you describe a typical workday?

A typical workday will often involve collaborating closely with the other members of my team in-person on particular tasks and attending team meetings and training sessions. I'll also spend a lot of my workday drafting and reviewing legal documents, or simply working on various tasks that more senior lawyers might delegate to me. Every day will be different depending on client and team requests, which keeps things interesting. Lawyers also love their coffee, so I try to have coffee catch-ups with people in my team or graduate cohort every few weeks to check in and socialise.

What are the career prospects with your job?

Working at Ashurst is a great way to start your career as a junior lawyer, receiving excellent legal training through a structured firm program and working with some of the best lawyers in their areas of expertise. Ashurst is also a global firm with offices all around the world that collaborate closely together. This provides lawyers with the opportunity to work in other Ashurst offices, including in Australia or internationally. Many of our lawyers spend parts of their careers in multiple offices, and for me is one of the significant benefits of working at a truly global law firm.

What do you love the most about your job? 

I love being able to work on legal matters that I am genuinely passionate about and being able to make a difference every day in the renewable energy transition that Australia is currently going through. I also love working and spending time with the rest of the graduates in my cohort. We're a tight-knit group and there are constant social events going on, which helps you feel a sense of belonging at the firm.

Which three pieces of advice would you give to a current university student? 

• Continue to enjoy the university experience! I was involved in social and sporting clubs at university, and most of the good friends I made at university came out of those experiences. Don't be afraid to try something new, as the university is the perfect social setting to put yourself out there.
• Keep a healthy balance in your life. Studying at university, and especially law school can be daunting and stressful, especially in the lead-up to exams. Take time out to take care of yourself. For me, that included going to the gym and playing sports, making time to see my friends, and getting 8 hours of sleep! This will be different for everyone, but balance was the most important thing for me to be able to perform well during exam time.
• Start thinking about the type of career you want for yourself early on, whether that's in law or another profession/area. This gives you the most time to consider what you could be doing to get there, and who you should be contacting to find out more about the area.