USC Law students have been impressing the bigwigs of major law firms in Brisbane, with a host of students securing legal clerkships in recent months.

And fourth-year student Tori Pearson has been the standout after receiving offers from six companies for paid clerkships, which are the primary pathway to employment as a graduate lawyer.

Competition for these positions is very strong, with individual commercial firms often receiving more than 1,000 applications for as few as 30 clerkships, which last for four weeks.

Tori, 23, said she had selected four clerkships from her six offers, and was looking forward to building her legal experience while still studying.

“It was a challenging interview process, so I was really humbled and surprised to receive so many offers,” she said. “I’ve chosen two international top-tier firms, an independent national firm, and the top of the mid-tier firms.

“It was fantastic that so many USC students received offers, particularly as it’s still a new program. The firms really seemed to value how much practical experience we all had.

“Law clerks do virtually everything that a graduate solicitor would be doing. Meeting with clients, building briefs of evidence – it’s good legal work, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Head of the USC Law School Professor Pamela O’Connor said USC had only welcomed its first Law students in 2014, but was already forming a reputation for producing skilled and confident future lawyers.

“For a young law school like ours, this is a fantastic indication of how highly regarded our students are, both on the Coast and in Brisbane,” she said. “We’re certainly very proud of their achievements.

“Clerkships are the main pathway to employment with major firms, and those positions are much coveted by students from all universities.

“Our students are very switched on inside the classroom, but they’re also extremely active in co-curricular activities like mooting competitions, student societies and volunteering their own time for community legal services.”

USC’s Open Day will be held on Sunday 23 July.

— Gen Kennedy