From CareerTrackers Intern to Lawyer

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Samantha Colless

For Samantha (Sami) Colless, a proud Gundungurra woman from the Central Coast. The path to a career in commercial law was built on a foundation of persistence, community and academic excellence.

A 2023 graduate of Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Laws, Sami has successfully turned her long-held aspirations into a professional reality.

Today, she is a workplace relations, employment and safety lawyer at Clayton Utz. But her journey began as an eager intern finding her feet in the corporate world.

A Journey Through the Firm

Sami's transition from student to practitioner was shaped by a series of valuable experiences, beginning with three internships through the CareerTrackers program and later extending to a summer clerkship with Clayton Utz. Throughout this journey, she was able to gain exposure to a diverse range of legal practice areas, while also developing a deeper understanding of the profession. In particular, through rotating across the Environment and Sustainable Development, Public Sector, Competition and Commercial Litigation teams, Sami was able to experience different areas of law and, as a result, build the practical skills required to support her progression into practice.

Beyond simply providing an introduction to different practice areas. These rotations served as a rigorous training ground for the technical skills Sami applies today. Through this hands-on experience and by working alongside experienced practitioners across multiple teams. She continued to strengthen her legal knowledge, refine her capabilities and ultimately develop a sharp command of:

• Precision in Legal Writing: Crafting clear, persuasive documents
• Complex Legal Research: Navigating the intricacies of case law and legislation
• Professional Communication: Engaging confidently with colleagues and clients

Reflecting on Growth

For Sami, the variety of work was a key catalyst in her professional development. In particular, these diverse experiences helped shape her understanding of legal practice. Reflecting on the impact of these rotations, she notes:

"I had the privilege of rotating through different teams at the firm. This has allowed me to build relationships and develop different, transferable skills. This work experience was monumental to my professional growth."

"I began my internships in 2021 and it was the first time I had the opportunity to work in the legal sector," she adds. "The best part has been seeing my personal and professional development over the years."

The Power of Community

Beyond the legal research and briefings, Sami credits much of her resilience to the support network within the CareerTrackers community. Navigating the corporate world, especially amidst the isolation of the pandemic, was a journey she didn't have to take alone.

"Attending the different CareerTrackers events and connecting with other interns was one of the highlights of my internship experience," Sami says. "It was great having that sense of community, as entering the corporate world was a shared experience between the interns."

She also highlights the importance of one-on-one mentorship. "Having the support of my Advisor throughout my internship was invaluable, providing me with continued assistance in meeting my goals throughout the years."

Inspired by Legacy

While her skills were honed at the firm, Sami's heart for advocacy comes from her grandmother, Aunty Dawn Colless, a respected Indigenous Elder and advocate in Katoomba.

"My Grandmother taught me the importance of pursuing your passions," Sami says. "Seeing everything that she accomplished really instilled in me that you can do anything that you put your mind to."

Today, in her full-time role at Clayton Utz. Sami is doing exactly that – turning her long-held aspirations into a reality of meaningful legal work.