Clayton Utz Client Interview
The Clayton Utz Client Interview Competition takes place in a mock environment where teams of two student competitors, who play the role of lawyers, are visited by a potential client for a preliminary meeting.
With only a very brief memorandum outlining the context of the meeting provided beforehand, competitors will have a discussion with the client regarding an unknown legal problem. Within fifteen minutes each team must work together to identify the material facts relevant to the client’s legal dilemma.
The focus of the Competition is on understanding the client’s situation and communicating effectively with the client and your team member. Each client may present with a different personal demeanor — clients may be rude, shy or loud. Competitors are required to accommodate to the client’s demeanor whilst still acting in a professional manner.
On completion of the interview, competitors will confer with each other and have a discussion with the judge about the merits of the case. Teams are not judged on their ability to provide legal advice, but rather the quality of their meeting with the client and their teamwork.
The ability to effectively interview clients is regarded to be an essential skill required in many careers. Such a task requires good communication, honed interpersonal skills, teamwork and the ability to think quickly on your feet. This Competition provides a valuable opportunity to develop these skills in a constructive and simulated professional environment.
Competition Details
Time commitment: Competitors will receive a brief memorandum 15 minutes prior to their round.
Team size: 2 members
Number of rounds: 6
Semester 1 Schedule: Mondays and Tuesdays
Week 5: 25/03 and 26/03
Week 7: 15/04 and 16/04
Week 9: 29/04 and 30/04
Semester 2 Schedule: Mondays
Week 2: 29/07 | Quarter-Final
Week 5: 19/08 | Semi-Final
Week 8: 09/09 | Grand-Final
Attire: Business
Delivery: All internal competitions in 2024 will follow an in-person format.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Jessica Cabral and Juliet Floramo at clientinterview@mulss.com.
Documents & Recordings
2024 Competitor Training Workshop Slides - Click here to download.
2024 Competitor Training Workshop Recording - Click here to view.
2023 Competitors’ Guidebook - Click here to download.
2023 Judges’ Guidebook - Click here to download.
2023 Scoresheet- Click here to download.
2023 Results
Winners – Annabelle Jones and Anna McGinley
Runners Up – Jessica Cabral and Juliet Floramo
Judges – Ben Furner (Clayton Utz)
Congratulations to Annabelle Jones and Anna McGinley for winning the 2023 Clayton Utz Client Interview Competition!
Congratulations to Jessica Cabral and Juliet Floramo who were the Runners Up of the Competition!
Thank you to our Co-opts, Alan Martin and Shadi Kolahdouzan, and to everyone who participated in 2023.
Past winners
2023 – Annabelle Jones and Anna McGinley
2022 – Gabrielle Hurrel and Alan Martin
2021 – Olga Kerry and Sigourney Goss
2020 – Felicity O’Brien and Sam Porz
2019 – Pearl Chen and Koko Watanabe
2018 – Sophie Dole and Amber Withers
2017 – Zoe Seeberg-Gordon and Oliver Wahlstrom-Schatt
2016 – Hannah Hofmann and Mark Giuseppini