Australia Vacation Clerkships & Graduate Program

We place a strong emphasis on supporting our early career professionals into their life-long careers. Our emerging talent population is valued and developed throughout their career journey and provided with extensive opportunities and training to support their professional development.

Here you will find further information about our vacation clerk and law graduate opportunities, including insights into the programs available and the application process to join us.

Our two-week vacation clerkship program is a fantastic opportunity to share our culture and values with up-and-coming law students. Our diverse, supportive and collaborative culture allows for students to gain the confidence to be inquisitive, obtain experience and fully immerse themselves in the clerkship process. We believe giving students hands-on experience and exposure to all levels, from graduate to partner, allows them to gain valuable insight into the profession and learn what it is to be a successful lawyer in a global law firm.

Tony Chong | Office Managing Partner | Perth

We strive to provide our law graduates with a supportive, dynamic and collaborative environment to develop in the early stages of their legal career. Through our practice group rotations, pro bono program and ability to work closely with our junior and senior legal members, our graduates have the opportunity to gain experience in various facets of the legal industry, from both a domestic and global perspective. This allows our graduates to take responsibility to discover and develop their strengths and forge their own legal career path.

Graeme Slattery | Office Managing Partner | Sydney

Our Opportunities

We are looking for people who mirror our values, with the curiosity, agility and teamwork needed to thrive in a rapidly changing business landscape. If you are interested in first-rate client work in an inclusive environment and a strong emphasis on your wellbeing, we could be the firm for you.

Vacation Clerkships

Our vacation clerkship is a two-week work experience program, which takes place over each summer (December/January) and winter (June/July) period and is open to penultimate-year students.

From day one of our clerkship program, you will be putting into practice what you have already learned about the law, working on real matters for real clients. From the very start, you will be provided with the tools, know-how and options you need to set your own challenges and define your career path.

Our clerkship program is linked to our law graduate program, allowing you the opportunity to secure a graduate position the following year.

Our vacation clerkship applications for summer and winter 2025 are now open, and can be accessed here. Please note our applications close on Sunday, 28 July 2024.

To find out more about our vacation clerkships, please read our vacation clerkship and graduate brochure.

Law Graduate Program

Our client base spans every type of business, both private and public, worldwide. We advise a diverse mix of clients, from Fortune 100 and FTSE 100 corporations to emerging companies, and from individuals to local and national governments.

During our graduate program, you will complete two or three six-month rotations (Perth) or three four-month rotations (Sydney) in different practice areas. To enable you to develop and progress your career with the firm, you will experience hands-on mentoring and support from partners and senior lawyers, take part in bespoke learning and development programs, work with colleagues across offices (both in Australia and globally), get involved in pro bono work, be considered for client secondments, take an active role in the firm’s diversity program, organize firm social events for your colleagues, and more.

We accept applications from students in their final year to commence a graduate role in February of the following year.

To find out more about our graduate programs, please read our vacation clerkship and graduate brochure.

“I’ve been given opportunities to work on a variety of general and specialized litigation matters with colleagues from all around Australia. This has allowed me to learn from lawyers who are leaders in their fields and identify my own areas of interest to carve my own career pathway.”

Marcus Lee | Litigation | Sydney

“I’ve been provided with opportunities to work on cross-border and domestic transactions with our colleagues in New York, London and Ohio. My supervisors have strongly supported the start of my legal career by involving me in all aspects of matters, and I have been able to gain invaluable experience and work with extremely talented people.”

Georgia Mateer | Corporate | Sydney

“My supervisors have been fantastic at involving me in aspects of a matter, giving me insight into the broader strategic issues that must be taken into account when advising clients. This has enabled me to develop my legal skills.”

Hamish Donovan | Litigation | Perth

“It’s great to have an opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the community through working with some of our charity and pro bono clients. It’s so rewarding to know that your work is making a real difference in people’s lives.”

Genevieve Mascarenhas | Labor & Employment | Perth

“Throughout my rotations, I have had the chance to work in amazing, supportive teams and collaborate with colleagues at all levels, both in Australia and internationally. It is really exciting working on big transactions and topical legal issues and dealing directly with clients.”

Mary Shaw | Law Graduate | Perth

Application Process

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You will need to submit the following:

A cover letter outlining your interest and suitability for a position at the firm
A CV outlining your work experience, extracurricular activities and academic and non-academic achievements
A copy of your academic transcript

Your application will be reviewed and shortlisted by a team of our partners and Human Resources. We will be looking for students with strong academic achievements, supported by a diverse application highlighting your unique strengths, qualities and passion to join our team.

Should your application be shortlisted, you will then be invited to attend an interview at our offices.

The format of your visit to our offices may include:

An introduction and welcome with a current law graduate or newly admitted associate at the firm
A 30-minute interview with two senior members of the office, being either a partner, other senior practitioner and/or manager
An opportunity to debrief with a member of Human Resources

For the law graduate recruitment process, in some offices, you may also be required to attend an assessment centre – a half-day program designed to allow us to really get to know you in terms of your skills, experience and expertise.

Offers are then made on the designated offer day, with calls commencing at 9 a.m. sharp – so stand by your phones!