Mallesons Stephen Jaques now uses facebook to connect with promising law students. The firm page, called ‘the Real Deal’, was created to inform students of upcoming clerkship and graduate opportunities and offer an insider’s view on life at the firm.

Law clerk Katrina Geddes, who was a summer clerk at the firm during December 2010 and January 2011 says the move demonstrates a commitment to reaching out to the next generation of young lawyers. “It sets Mallesons apart from other firms in that it raises awareness of the firm and its opportunities by making dates of university presentations and application deadlines extremely accessible to university students,” she added. “Having as much public information about the firm as possible can only ever be beneficial.  It engenders a sense of familiarity with the firm, and makes it more accessible to potential applicants.”
 
The strategy undertaken by Mallesons is squarely aimed at discovering where the talent lies at universities, according to Jason Watts, the M&A partner who spearheaded the initiative.Watts also spoke about the firm's wider social media strategy and how the page allows lawyers inside the firm to 'debunk' myths students can often hold about practicing in a top tier firm. Further details will be provided in upcoming ALB social media reporting.

The announcement comes weeks after Allens Arthur Robinson announced a similar strategy aimed at recruiting top UK talent currently working overseas via Twitter. Both firms have moved closer to using social media as a recruitment device, despite each campaign having a different focus.