Adam Herman graduated from Sydney Law School in 2021 before embarking on a career at the intersection of law, technology and business. Over the course of his professional journey, he has worked across high-growth environments including Afterpay and Herbert Smith Freehills, before relocating to the United States and qualifying as an attorney in New York.
We sat down with Adam to chat about his experience.
What is your favourite memory from your time at Sydney Law School?
My defining memory is the time I spent engaging with the Law School community beyond the classroom. I was heavily involved in the Sydney University Law Society (SULS), serving as Treasurer in my final year. While the curriculum provided the intellectual rigour necessary for exams, SULS was my training ground for the "business" of law. It challenged me to build a professional network, master the language of the industry, and develop essential managerial skills. It was this unique combination of academic theory and practical leadership that truly kickstarted my legal career.
After graduating, what were your first steps into your legal career?
My career began as a Paralegal at Afterpay, which was a relatively small Sydney-based startup at the time. I cut my teeth on foundational legal work: reviewing contracts, drafting initial agreements, and monitoring our IP portfolio.
Notably, I didn’t get the role through a standard job posting. I had been tracking Afterpay’s explosive growth and knew I wanted to be part of it, so I proactively messaged their HR team on LinkedIn to express my interest. I’ll never forget how my impulse to send that LinkedIn message changed the trajectory of my legal career since.
I’ll never forget how my impulse to send that LinkedIn message changed the trajectory of my legal career since.
Adam Herman
Class of 2021 (Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts)
Can you give us a brief snapshot of your career journey from graduation to now?
After my initial tenure at Afterpay, I accepted a Clerkship at Herbert Smith Freehills, rotating through their M&A and Financial Services Regulation teams. I eventually returned to Afterpay just as it was being acquired by the U.S.-based payments firm, Square. That acquisition opened the door for my relocation to the United States, where I have since been admitted as an Attorney in New York State and continue to practice in-house.
Tell us the process you took to become a US-qualified lawyer?
It is a nuanced process with several moving parts. I actually recently wrote a substack about my experience detailing my journey. You can read more here.
What’s one thing you love about the work you’re doing now?
Working in-house means operating as part-time lawyer and part-time project manager. You don’t just redline contracts in a silo; you actively coordinate across sales, finance, and product teams to drive deals to completion. I love this cross-functional aspect because it allows me to step beyond theoretical legal advice and act as a strategic business partner, ensuring my work has a direct, tangible impact on the company's growth and operational efficiency.
What’s your top tip for current law students?
Going to Sydney Law School is a privilege. You are surrounded by the best and the brightest academics, alumni, and fellow students. Harness that energy. Study prudently, but more importantly, meet new people and cultivate those relationships over time. Put yourself out there – especially if it’s outside your comfort zone – and say yes to (almost) everything. You’ll find that doing so will pay dividends.