From intern to advocate: Empowering Indigenous talent at Gadens

In 2012, Gadens joined the CareerTrackers Program as an employer partner, providing law students with a 12 week internship each year throughout their degrees. That relationship was further consolidated in 2015, when Gadens became a signatory to the CareerTrackers 10×10 Initiative, whereby ten organisations around Australia agreed to create 3,500 internship opportunities for Indigenous students across a variety of professions over a 10 year period.

Our Legal Interns work closely with their advisors at CareerTrackers and their managers, mentors and buddies at the firm, to develop relevant skills and expertise in accordance with an individual learning contract that sets out their goals and intended outcomes.

The program is intended to provide an understanding of the operations of the employer partner’s business, industry trends and potential career opportunities as a graduate when they have completed their studies. It also focuses on building transferable skills that will assist the intern at university and work, such as research, presentation and public speaking skills.

Interns are also encouraged and supported to develop resilience, personal responsibility, leadership skills and develop and maintain relationships with colleagues and contacts. The program also recognises that most legal interns have cultural and community duties and expectations outside of their workplace that should be acknowledged and supported.

Most of our legal interns have been employed with us on a part-time basis, in addition to their 12 week internship periods, while they finish their university studies. A key focus of Gadens Reconciliation journey is to provide employment opportunities to Indigenous law students across Australia in a culturally safe and inclusive way.

To support interns at every stage of their career journey, junior interns are first introduced to foundational administrative responsibilities. This initial experience equips them with essential workplace skills and an understanding of operational processes, before they transition into our practice groups where they take on more complex paralegal tasks and legal work.

From intern to law graduate: Ceferina Villarin’s journey

One of the standout success stories from our CareerTrackers program is Ceferina Villarin, a proud Aboriginal woman whose roots span the Kooma, Lama Lama, and Wakka Wakka Nations. Ceferina began her journey with Gadens in 2018 as a legal intern while studying a Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Her dedication and talent were recognised when she received the First Nations Student Award at the Queensland Law Society Excellence in Law Awards.

Having recently graduated from Griffith University, Ceferina is currently working as a paralegal in the Commercial Banking and Finance team, while undertaking Practical Legal Training and seeking admission as a solicitor. When asked to reflect on her experience to date, she said:

“Over the years, I have transformed from a shy, introverted student, to aconfident and articulate young professional. In my early days, answering the phone felt daunting and public speaking was a nerve-wracking experience. Today, I feel more confident to deliver end-of-internship presentations, mentor younger students, and represent my community at high-profile events. This evolution reflects the supportive environments fostered by Gadens and CareerTrackers, which have helped me to step outside of my comfort zone. Looking ahead, I am excited about the future. I see my journey as a way to “make our elders proud” echoing the 2024 NAIDOC theme.”

Mentorship in action: A partner’s perspective

Integral to the success of our interns is the support they receive from experienced mentors. Sarah Toohey, a Partner at Gadens with over 25 years of experience, plays a key role in formally and informally mentoring CareerTrackers interns.

When asked to comment on the program, she said:

”It has been an absolute joy to have the privilege of working with so many talented young legal interns while they gain valuable experience in a commercial legal environment. Starting work in a law firm can be hard and intimidating for anyone, and to see the change in confidence in our interns over the course of their time with us has been extraordinary.

Our interns have also been incredibly generous in sharing their personal stories and experiences with us, as well as introducing and connecting us with their contacts and communities, which has made a huge contribution to our understanding and appreciation of issues facing young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, as well as the strength and resilience of their communities.

Many of our interns have gone on to successful careers in a variety of areas of practice and I have no doubt that the CareerTrackers program is helping to build a powerful and influential network of legal professionals, who are making positive change for their communities and the legal industry itself.”

Mentorship in action: A lawyer’s perspective

Lawyers are provided with an opportunity to support CareerTrackers interns through ‘peer-to-peer’ mentoring. Having a ‘buddy’ at the firm, ensures that there is a support network in place, where individuals at similar stages of their career can provide guidance, support and share knowledge with interns.

Reflecting on her experience, Carlyna said:

“Being a peer mentor was an enriching and meaningful experience. I know that the first time working in a professional office environment can be daunting, so I strived to provide a safe environment where interns felt comfortable asking questions and engaging in honest conversations about their experiences and development. It is exciting to see their confidence build over time, and I felt lucky to be a part of that journey.”

Looking ahead

As we continue our partnership with CareerTrackers, Gadens remains committed to creating pathways for First Nations students to thrive in the legal profession. We look forward to welcoming future interns, supporting their growth, and celebrating their achievements as they become the next generation of legal professionals.

If you would like to learn more about CareerTrackers opportunities with Gadens, please contact Shirlynn Lim of our People & Development Team.

If you found this insight article useful and you would like to subscribe to Gadens’ updates, click here.

Authored by:

Sarah Toohey, Partner
Andrea Towson, Partner
Carlyna Yap, Associate
Ceferina Villarin, Paralegal