Ruchika Bilagi Sandesh, a Monash Law and Commerce alumnus, shares her story from being a first-generation immigrant with no legal connections to taking on three clerkship roles, and today, she’s rotating between teams as a law graduate at Herbert Smith Freehills (now Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer).
I’m Just Getting Started: How Ruchika Kickstarted Her Legal Career
Author: Eshi Ayezha
Interviewers: Huong Le & Eshi Ayezha
Chapter 1: Days in Clayton
“Any experience is a great experience,” Ruchika says, reflecting on her law school years. For her, there was no ‘one bucket’, or perfect list of extracurriculars. Instead, she focused on doing things that were enjoyable, felt social and meaningful. While she found competitions useful for soft skills, she found herself drawn to less traditional paths, like pro bono consulting with not-for-profits.
Monash’s Law Ambassador Program (LAP) – the same one that Encyclawpedia is under–was also part of her portfolio. She credits LAP with helping her develop skills that still serve her today in her professional career: attention to detail, teamwork, and communication. Additionally, LAP is instrumental in helping you meet people outside of your cohort. “The law isn’t as big as it seems to be; you never really know who you end up networking with.”
Ruchika tells us that she doesn't believe she excelled academically. “I did alright, but having a good group of friends to lean on helped.” Ruchika shares that studying with friends in 45-minute blocks, even with those who weren't law students but were going through university stress, made all the difference. She adds, "Find a group of people who are in the same boat as you.”
Chapter 2: Balancing a budding career and self-care
Ruchika landed her first legal job through Monash’s careers portal. But like many, she’s had her fair share of struggles. Still, she encourages students not to be disheartened. “The right opportunity will come around.” Her advice? Say yes to whatever gets your foot in the door! Non-law experience can also add value to your CV. Additionally, she gained hands-on exposure through Monash's clinical guarantee, interning at ALIGN Law. For Ruchika, it all comes back to the mindset of being kind to yourself and others, “Kindness always comes back to reward you.”
Of course, burnout is no stranger to law students. The obsession with grades, comparison and performance takes its toll, and Ruchika knows first-hand. Recognising that she needed time to breathe amidst the chaos, Ruchika decided to underload for a semester. She advises, “To be aware of how you’re feeling and be in tune with both your physician and mental well-being.” Her morning ritual is to exercise. And just a gentle reminder: Your life has so many more stories in it than JUST your law school chapter. (Bonus fun fact: Ruchika speaks three languages and once lived in China!)
Another familiar trap? Comparison. “The first thing I’d say is, DON'T! If you can avoid it," she adds. Law school can feel like a pressure cooker, but she urges students to resist measuring themselves against others. “You don’t know what someone’s like is like behind the scenes. It’s not black and white, and nobody has it figured out.” Instead, she recommended comparing yourself to your past self, to find the joy in your successes and celebrate how far you’ve come.
2025 posters of LSS’ ‘Meet the Firm Series’ depicting an evening with White & Case, Herbert Smith Freehills and Allens. Ruchika has worked at all three firms, either as a Law Graduate or a Vacation Clerk.
Chapter 3: Nearing Graduation
By fourth year, clerkship season was in full swing. Ruchika attended as many Meet the Firms events as possible, not just to be seen, but to genuinely understand where she might fit. She considers herself lucky to have clerked at three different firms before landing her graduate role. She assures us, “There’s no one thing firms are looking for, just well-rounded people.” It’s not about padding your resume, it’s about doing things you’re genuinely interested in. Ruchika candidly shares that her WAM was not in the HDs. What stood out in the interviews wasn't just her transcript; it was how she balanced her academics alongside extracurriculars.
Her prep toolkit also included clerkship guides, networking events and deep dives into firm websites to get a feel of their culture and values. She adds that networking can feel overwhelming. “People treat it like an interview,” she says. “But really, it’s just about getting to know someone.” It’s important not to force yourself; there are a lot of other ways to connect with people. Clerkship season is intense enough, so be kind to yourself.
While she didn't network with lecturers herself, she now thinks it could be a great resource for many. Her advice to students when considering firms? Look beyond the prestige. “Think about what matters to you, whether it’s pro bono opportunities, learning and development or graduate support.”
Chapter 4: Chapter Now!
“I’m just getting started.” That’s how Ruchika describes this chapter of her life. Now a graduate at Herbert Smith Freehills, she’s completing her final stretch of an 18-month program that rotates her through three practice areas. Her first was in Projects, Energy & Infrastructure, followed by Corporate M&A, and now, she’s in Real Estate.
“The first rotation,” she says, “was the most challenging.” “You’re learning how the firm works, how to work in a team, and you’re studying for the PLT.” But the firm has been very supportive by assigning formal buddy systems and partners. Ruchika found that most people are more than willing to give their time to help you grow.
At Encylawpedia, we believe that the law is best told through its people, including debunking the many misconceptions! Ruchika shares that one misconception she’d like to address is that corporate law is always seen as intense and serious. “You’ll be surprised how lovely people are. Yes, we work hard, but there’s also a social aspect; we get to learn so much about the people we work with!”
Chapter 5: Law, in her future
Looking ahead, Ruchika sees renewable energy as one of the most exciting shifts in the legal profession. “Firms are turning their minds to it, it requires specialisation and it is quite commercial, but there’s lots of interaction with government regulation,” she explains.
When asked “What chapter would you recommend to law students if they could borrow your story like a book,” Ruchika answers that it would probably be the later years of law school, where she really gets a sense of what the world of law is like out there. She also notes that it’s when she experiences an upwards trajectory.
Right now, she’s excited to decide which team she’ll eventually settle into. “It would be nice to have a team to call home,” she adds. And while she celebrates the diversity she sees in her cohort – “We actually have more women than men!” – she knows there’s still work to be done, especially when it comes to seeing that same representation in leadership positions.
Herbert Smith Freehills office fitout by SHAPE in the newly built South Tower at 80 Collins Street, Melbourne.