Clerkships/Graduate Program
Share our vision and develop your career at Thomsons Lawyers
Clerkship places are available for talented, ambitious law students who are keen to kick-start their legal career in commercial law. Completing a clerkship with Thomsons Lawyers may also lead to a place in the Graduate Development Program, designed to assist students to make a smooth transition from student to lawyer and a successful start to their legal career.
Our clerkship program
As a recent or soon-to-be law graduate it can often be difficult to decide which area of practice is for you, and where you should be driving your career. The clerkship program is the perfect opportunity to explore your interests and get a feel for what it would be like to work with Thomsons as a Graduate Lawyer.
We offer a structured program where clerks learn through a combination of observation and hands on experience. All of our clerks have the opportunity to:
- Attend a client meeting
- Observe court proceedings
- Conduct legal research
- Develop their technical skills in areas such as drafting, due diligence and discovery
- Participate in team meetings, training and continuing legal education programs
You also get the opportunity to express your preferences for which area of practice you would prefer to complete your clerkship. It's important to us that the clerkship experience helps you to make the right career choices.
Our approach to our future lawyers
We know that you are not just a student on work experience
We want you to enjoy your time with us, but we also want to give you a realistic and stretching introduction to the legal profession. How does this happen? From day one, you'll be an active participant in the team, involved in all aspects of legal practice, and working directly with experienced practitioners.
You will develop the skills to set you up for a bright future
We view all of our clerks as potential graduates, and all of our graduates as potential partners. Clerks are so important to us that we dedicate significant time to develop you – multiple partners will even make up the panel that interview you for clerkships!
During your clerkship you will enjoy weekly catch ups with your mentor, daily interaction with your supervisor, formal training, secretarial support, fantastic technology and research resources, involvement in a junior lawyers' network and continuing legal education.
The graduate development program
Completing a clerkship with the firm is a pre requisite for a position in our graduate development program. The program is geared towards expanding your skills across a range of practice areas. Once again, you will be able to express your preference for the areas of practice in which you would like to rotate.
The program runs for 12 months and consists of a minimum two rotations. It's also the ideal way to complete your Practical Legal Training (PLT) with the firms support.
We recognise that culture counts
Law can be a demanding profession so we value working in an environment that is friendly, personable, collegiate and professionally stimulating. We also acknowledge the importance of achieving a healthy work life balance in your career. This is why (amongst others) we have programs such as:
- Healthy breakfast provisions and fruit
- In-house exercise program like yoga
- Generous paid parental leave benefits
- Sporting teams
- Social activities and drinks
We are also committed to giving back to the community through pro bono legal services, volunteering and workplace giving.
The pathway you will discover at Thomsons Lawyers will be both unique and rewarding...apply now and good luck!
