Graduate Centre

Important dates

Applications for the Adelaide 2021 Summer Clerkship are now closed.

For any queries, please email adelaide.applications@hwle.com.au.

Applications for the Brisbane Winter Clerkship Program are now closed.

For any queries, please email HRApplications@hwle.com.au.

Applications for the 2021 Canberra Law Graduate Program are now closed.

For any queries, please email HRApplications@hwle.com.au.

2021 Clerkship Program

Applications for the 2021 Melbourne Clerkship Program are now closed.

For any Clerkship queries, please email ClerkApplications@hwle.com.au.

2021 Supervised Legal Traineeship Program

Applications for the 2021 Melbourne Supervised Legal Training (SLT) Program are now being accepted, pursuant with the LIV Traineeship Guidelines. Please note the following key dates:

DateActivity
Monday 24 August 2020Applications Open
Monday 7 September 2020Applications Close
Monday 14 September 2020HR will contact candidates from this date
Tuesday 29 September - Thursday 1 October 2020Panel Interviews
Monday 12 October (10am)Offers made to successful candidates

Applications for the 2021 Melbourne Supervised Legal Traineeship Program are now closed.

For any SLT queries, please email HRApplications@hwle.com.au.

2020 Summer Clerkship & 2021 Winter Clerkship Programs

Applications for the 2020 Summer Clerkship and 2021 Winter Clerkship Programs are now closed.

A member of our Human Resources team will be in contact regarding the outcome of any applications by the end of August 2020.

For any queries, please email perth.applications@hwle.com.au.

2021 Graduate Program

Applications for the 2021 Graduate program are open in both our Sydney and Norwest Offices.

Eligibility criteria:

  • Finished your degree or will finish before March 2021;
  • Practical Legal Training (PLT) has not commenced or been completed;
  • Not yet admitted; and
  • Australian Citizen or permanent resident.

If you meet the above criteria please submit a cover letter, academic transcript and CV NSWGraduate@hwle.com.au. Please ensure you specify which office you are applying for in your email.

Applications will close on Friday 29 January 2021 at 5.00pm.

The program will commence Tuesday 2 March 2021. 

2020 Summer Clerkship

Applications for the 2020 Sydney Summer Clerkship Program are now closed.

For any Clerkship queries, please email NSWClerkship@hwle.com.au.

Clerkship programs

HWL Ebsworth's Clerkship Program is structured to present you with hands-on experiences and training to develop your legal skills and knowledge whilst offering the chance to network with a range of practitioners throughout the firm. You will be exposed to a broad range of work within your designated Practice Groups and we will have the opportunity to get to know you on both a personal and professional level.

Upon the commencement of your Clerkship, you will be paired with a Supervising Partner and a Mentor who will guide, support and develop you throughout your placement and deliver comprehensive feedback at the conclusion of your time with the firm. You will participate in a customised induction program that will assist in familiarising you with our systems, processes and values and you will be welcomed as a valued member of our national team.

Workshops & training

We recognise the importance of gaining exposure to a broad range of legal activities at this early stage of your legal career. Our Clerkship program has been developed to offer this by providing you with direct involvement in actual client matters, as well as technical and practice management training sessions.

Operational activities may include attending external and/or client meetings, drafting a piece of advice and/or agreement, assisting with due diligence, attending settlements, research tasks and attending Court. Other training areas and practice management workshops may focus on client management, negotiation skills and technical skills, and will be accompanied by career information sessions.

At HWL Ebsworth we believe that a healthy balance between work and personal life is crucial. During your Clerkship, you will experience what it is like to be an employee of HWL Ebsworth and you will have the opportunity to attend a variety of social and networking events hosted by the firm.

Application process

To apply for a Clerkship, you will be required to complete the online Application Form which will be made available on this page under the relevant city heading. Please attach a copy of your academic transcript along with any additional supporting documentation that you would like us to consider. The information provided will allow us to obtain an overview of your skills, your previous experiences and your suitability for the Clerkship Program.

Please note that applications will only be accepted from recent law graduates or students completing their degree in the year of the Clerkship.

All enquiries about the program can be emailed to clerkapplications@hwle.com.au

Recruitment process

Stage One – Application Shortlisting
The selection panel will review your application against a number of predefined selection criteria to allow each applicant the opportunity to be assessed equally and objectively. Candidates who are shortlisted will progress to Stage Two and will be invited to attend our Information & Assessment Centre.

Stage Two – Information & Assessment Centre
The Information & Assessment Centre will encompass both individual and group based activities designed to assess your analytical, problem solving, communication and leadership skills, and will run for approximately three hours. You will have the opportunity to meet with partners, solicitors and previous clerks of the firm. Candidates who are successful in this stage will be invited to attend an interview.

Stage Three – Individual Interviews
This stage will involve an individual interview with the selection panel to enable a final consideration of your technical and cultural alignment with HWL Ebsworth.

Stage Four – Offer of Clerkship
Successful candidates will be notified by Human Resources. Upon acceptance of a verbal offer, a written offer will be provided to the successful candidate.

Graduate & traineeship programs

Through our Graduate and Trainee Program, you will be provided with an opportunity to gain exposure to key practice areas across the firm, including a variety of transactional and litigious work, to assist you in determining your direction post Admission.

You will immediately become an important member of our team, assisting in a range of areas including drafting, court attendances, client interaction and legal research. You will have an opportunity to practice in different technical and industry groups, work with partners and solicitors from across our Australian offices, develop an understanding of the vital importance of client relationship management, and undergo internal and external professional development activities to assist you in enriching your legal knowledge.

What can I expect?

After a detailed induction into the firm, a senior practitioner will be assigned to you as a mentor/supervisor. They will offer advice and coaching, identify potential areas of development and, most importantly, facilitate your growth throughout the Program.

We strongly recognise the importance of your early career experiences as foundation of your future legal career, and we ensure that you regularly receive constructive feedback from partners and solicitors in relation to the work performed. To assist you in the development of your career, we offer continuous professional development to enhance your skills and knowledge.

Application process

Applications are open to recent graduates or those completing their degree in the year prior to the commencement of the program. To apply, you will be required to complete the online Application Form which will be made available on this page under the relevant City heading. Please attach a copy of your academic transcript along with any additional supporting documentation that you would like us to consider. The information provided will allow us to obtain an overview of your skills, your previous experiences and your suitability for the Graduate & Trainee Program.

Once you have submitted your Application Form you will be unable to make any amendments. All enquires about the program can be emailed to hrapplications@hwle.com.au.

Please note that applications will not be accepted in the form of resumes with accompanying cover letters.

Recruitment process

Stage One – Application Shortlisting
The selection panel will review your application against a number of predefined selection criteria to allow each applicant the opportunity to be assessed equally and objectively. Candidates who are shortlisted will progress to Stage Two and will be invited to attend our Information & Assessment Centre.

Stage Two – Information & Assessment Centre
The Information & Assessment Centre will encompass both individual and group based activities designed to assess your analytical, problem solving, communication and leadership skills, and will run for approximately three hours. You will have the opportunity to meet with partners, solicitors and previous graduates / trainees of the firm. Candidates who are successful in this stage will be invited to attend an interview.

Stage Three – Individual Interviews
This stage will involve an individual interview with the selection panel to enable a final consideration of your technical and cultural alignment with HWL Ebsworth.

Stage Four – Graduate / Trainee Offer
Successful candidates will be notified by Human Resources. Upon acceptance of a verbal offer, a written offer will be provided to the successful candidate.

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