Early Careers

The Maddocks Clerkship

Our clerkship program gives you a practical insight into life at Maddocks and the work of a commercial law firm. Depending on your office, you’ll complete a four-week or 11-week program that includes induction, structured training, two practice group rotations and regular feedback. You’ll work with lawyers across the firm, contribute to real matters and learn more about our clients, teams and culture. The program is designed to help you explore your interests, build practical legal skills and decide whether a future graduate role at Maddocks is right for you.

Application process

Our application process is designed to help you understand the firm and feel prepared at each stage.

What to expect during the clerkship program

The clerkship is structured to help you learn quickly, contribute meaningfully and gain a well-rounded experience of the program.

Who is the program suitable for? 

This program is for law students who are interested in gaining practical experience in a commercial legal environment and exploring a future graduate career at Maddocks. In Sydney and Canberra, applicants must be in their penultimate year of study. In Melbourne, students in their penultimate or final year may apply.

• Do What Matters. Podcast Series
  

  The Do What Matters podcast series is for university students and early career lawyers who want a real, behind-the-scenes look at life in law. Hosted by lawyers Pete Gavralas, Emily Kidd, and Charlotte Verley the series explores clerkships, graduate opportunities and the realities of building a successful legal career.

  With guest speakers from across the profession, each episode dives into applications, interviews, networking, career pathways and day-to-day life as a lawyer. It is a chance to hear honest stories, learn from real experiences and get practical insight into what a career in law can look like. Listen now.

The Maddocks Graduate program

Our Graduate Program is a 12-month program designed to support your transition from student to lawyer.

During the year, you’ll complete Practical Legal Training through Leo Cussen Centre for Law, take part in our National Graduate Induction and rotate through three practice teams. You’ll gain exposure to different areas of law, work on real matters and continue building your technical, commercial and professional skills.

The program begins with a three-day National Graduate Induction, which brings together graduates from our Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra offices. The induction introduces you to our people, culture and ways of working, with a focus on practical skills, legal excellence and the future of the profession.

Learning continues throughout the year through interactive workshops, on-the-job experience and support from your buddy, coordinator and People & Culture. You’ll also explore areas such as legal technology, AI and innovation, and how they are shaping the way lawyers work.

Maddocks was recognised by the Australian Association of Graduate Employers as the number one Top Graduate Employer in Law for mid-size programs in both 2025 and 2026. This reflects the strength of our program and our commitment to helping graduates begin their legal careers with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is a clerkship?

  A clerkship is a short-term placement that gives law students practical experience in a commercial legal environment. At Maddocks, our clerkship is a structured program designed to give students real insight into life as a lawyer through meaningful work, structured learning and exposure to different teams.

• What do clerks do day to day?

  Clerks at Maddocks are given meaningful, hands-on work and are treated as valued members of their teams. Day-to-day work may include legal research, drafting correspondence, memos or court documents, assisting with advice and transactions, and attending client meetings or court where appropriate.

• Who can apply for a clerkship at Maddocks?

  Our clerkship program is open to Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and New Zealand citizens. For Sydney and Canberra, applicants must be in their penultimate year of study. For Melbourne, applicants may be in their penultimate or final year of study.

• When do clerkship applications open and close?

  Application dates vary by office. For the current intake, Sydney and Canberra applications open on 10 June 2026 and close on 12 July 2026. Melbourne applications open on 6 July 2026 and close on 9 August 2026.

• How do I apply?
  1. Apply online. Submit an online application, which includes your CV, cover letter and academic transcript. 
  2. Complete a psychometric assessment. If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to complete an assessment that helps us better understand individual strengths, working styles and potential beyond academic results.
  3. Meet Maddocks. Candidates selected for interview are invited to our clerkship information evening before their interview. This event gives you the chance to learn more about the firm, our clients and the type of work we do, and to meet and network with our people in a relaxed setting. It is intentionally scheduled ahead of interviews to help you feel more confident and informed.
  4. Interview. Interviews are conversational and conducted by a partner and a People & Culture representative. It is an opportunity for us to get to know you better, and for you to ask questions too.
  5. Offers. Successful candidates receive a clerkship offer in line with the Law Society guidelines for each state.
• How long is the clerkship program?

  The Maddocks clerkship runs for 4 weeks in Melbourne. In Sydney and Canberra, the clerkship is an 11 week program. 

• Where will the clerkship be located?

  Our clerkship program is offered on-site at our offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.

• What does the clerkship application process involve?

  Our clerkship recruitment process includes an online application, completion of a psychometric assessment, a clerkship information evening and networking event for shortlisted candidates, and interviews for selected applicants. Offers are made in line with relevant guidelines.

• Do you consider international students?

  Clerkship applicants must be Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or New Zealand citizens.

• Can final-year students apply?

  Final-year students can apply for the Melbourne clerkship program. For Sydney and Canberra, applicants must be in their penultimate year of study.

• How many rotations are included in the clerkship?

  Clerks complete two practice team rotations, allowing them to experience different types of work, teams and practice areas. In Melbourne, this takes place across a four-week clerkship. 

  In Sydney and Canberra, it takes place across an 11-week clerkship. The program begins with a structured induction and training program covering how we work, legal research, effective legal writing and practical skills to help you feel confident from day one. Throughout the program, clerks are given meaningful, hands-on work and work alongside lawyers at all levels, including senior lawyers and partners.

• What do you look for in an application?

  We take a holistic approach. We understand that students come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, so we do not look at academic results in isolation.

  Show us who you are beyond your grades. We encourage applicants to include relevant work experience, volunteering, extracurricular activities and interests that help us understand you more broadly.

  Your cover letter matters. It should explain your interest in Maddocks, what motivates you to apply, and the skills or experiences you would bring to the firm.

• Do I need prior legal experience to apply?

  Prior legal experience is not required to apply for a clerkship at Maddocks. We understand that students have access to different opportunities, and we value a wide range of experiences, including part-time work, volunteering, customer service roles, leadership positions and involvement in university or community activities.

• Is there a minimum WAM or academic cut-off?

  No. Maddocks does not generally apply a strict academic cut-off. We understand that academic results are only one part of your story, and we take a holistic approach to applications. Extenuating circumstances are also taken into account as part of our assessment.

• What practice areas can clerks rotate through?

  Practice areas vary by office. In Melbourne and Sydney, clerks may rotate through a range of practice areas across the firm, depending on business needs and preferences. These may include Dispute Resolution and Litigation, Real Estate, Construction and Projects, Employment, Safety and People, Public Law, and our Commercial teams. In Canberra, clerks rotate through Canberra Public Law, which includes Commercial, Real Estate and Construction, Probity, Privacy and Dispute Resolution and Litigation.

• What support do clerks receive during the program?

  Clerks are supported throughout the program by a coordinator and a buddy. Your coordinator provides guidance, feedback and mentoring, while your buddy is there to help with day-to-day questions and settling in. You will also have regular check-ins and formal reviews during each rotation, with feedback shared by your practice team and People & Culture.

• Can I apply for the Graduate Program if I have not completed a clerkship at Maddocks?

  Our Graduate Program is primarily offered to students who have completed a clerkship with Maddocks, as we recruit our graduates from our clerkship cohort wherever possible. We carefully select our clerks with the intention that they will become our future graduate lawyers.