Life at Allens
Reflections and aspirations from our 2025 First Nations Interns
Earlier this year in February, six First Nations university students joined Allens as participants in our First Nations Internship program, either as part of a legal practice group or a corporate services team. The program provides the opportunity for students to experience life in a commercial environment, build their networks and develop their skills for the future.
Through our internship program, more than 160 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander law students have taken up the opportunity to experience life at a commercial law firm, with participants from the corporate services program engaged in study in a range of areas from commerce and marketing to psychology and international politics.
We spoke to three of this year's interns, Dion Whitfield, Ashlie MacPhee and Jasmine Holten Woods while they were undertaking their internship, to hear about their time with Allens.
Dion Whitfield 
I have always wanted to attend university, not just to advance my education and skills but also to help improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
I am currently studying a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Politics and Indigenous Studies. Through my studies, I want to help create positive change in First Nations communities and help to shape a better future. I plan on studying my Juris Doctor degree afterwards as I see the law as an avenue for justice, economic development and empowerment for our community.
What lessons will you take from your internship?
The lessons I'm learning from my internship are so valuable! This is my first corporate role, so I've really appreciated being part of a team and being able to develop my technical skills. Being involved in the Marketing and Client Services (MCS) team and working on a wide range of different tasks has been amazing.
One of the lessons I will take away from this experience is the importance of working with people and building relationships - not just with the people in your team but also with our clients. People and the relationships we develop really are at the heart of an organisation like Allens.
Ashlie MacPhee
I was initially inspired to study law in high school when I was told by my careers counsellor I would not be able to do it because 'no one else' had ever gone on to study law from my under-represented regional school. Coming from a high school where we were told only to consider TAFE and not university was the motivation for me to study law and escape the 'norm' of small regional towns.
Quickly into my studies, I realised it was the right pathway for me. I'm still unsure what attracted me to law, but I do know my passion for the field has only grown since immersing myself in studies and internship opportunities. Working in the Allens environment has shown me how law holds enormous potential to change the world and is everywhere around us. I want to use this potential wherever my legal career takes me to make both small and big impacts when I can.
What have you found most surprising about your time at the firm?
As Allens approaches its 20th year of running this program, it is safe to say the firm has made a huge impact on aspiring Indigenous lawyers, allowing them to immerse themselves in a commercial environment and gain invaluable skills from a top-tier law firm.
What surprises me about Allens is how Australia's oldest firm is still willing to learn, grow and create opportunities such as this internship, which will pave the way for other firms to follow. It's admirable that such a huge firm dedicates so much time and resources to our First Nations people, whether through pro bono work or internships for Indigenous students.
Jasmine Holten Woods
My inspiration for undertaking a double degree of a Bachelor of Criminal and Community Justice and a Bachelor of Laws started from my mum, who is my biggest inspiration. Growing up in a single-parent household, my mum always did her best to ensure I was never without, with the hopes that I would pursue a career of my choosing. Initially, I started university with the goal of becoming a police officer. However, I later decided to change my career path due to my growing interest in the ongoing issues surrounding the overrepresentation of First Nations people within the criminal justice system.
In undertaking my degree, I feel a strong sense of responsibility to pursue a career that can contribute to meaningful change. Growing up, I was taught that education is essential in shaping the way we live our lives. By pursuing a double degree, I am bettering myself so that I can serve as a role model for others, including my siblings, cousins, and the broader First Nations community. I hope that by completing my degree, I can be part of change and contribute towards policy reform efforts. My goal is to give a voice to those who are unable to speak and lead necessary changes within the criminal justice system.
Do you have any recommendations for future interns?
If I could make a recommendation to any future First Nations interns, it would be to apply for the Allens First Nations Internship and give it a go! Don't shy away from the experience or let self-doubt prevent you from seizing new and exciting opportunities just because you don’t think you're good enough. Be courageous, put yourself out there, and remember that your time at Allens and as a student goes quickly, so make the most of it.