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Find out what it’s like to work at Maddocks. We are looking for talented and ambitious students to join our Clerkship programs in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney.

The Clerkship

Our Clerkship program is the first step for students
seeking Graduate positions. Discover what you excel
at under guidance from seasoned professionals.

Experience & Responsibility

We give you the opportunity to shine in a supportive and collaborative team, led by accessible and friendly partners. Gain real-world experience through challenging and meaningful work for our clients.

Training & Development

The training you receive throughout the Clerkship will ensure you are thoroughly prepared and ready to get involved in and contribute to client work straight away.

Rotations & Feedback

During the program you will rotate through two practice teams based on your preferences. You will receive regular feedback and advice from your coordinator, supervising partner and others you work with, plus a formal review at the end of each rotation.

Clerkship program locations & key dates

  • Sydney

    Length of program: 11 weeks
    Eligibility:
    Applicants must be in their penultimate year of university through undergraduate law or the Juris Doctor program. They must also be Australian Citizens or Australian Permanent Residents.
    Intake:
    Summer

    Practice teams you can rotate through for the Sydney Clerkship include:

    • Commercial - Corporate
    • Commercial - Health / Technology Media & Telecommunications (HTMT)
    • Dispute Resolution & Litigation
    • Real Estate
    • Construction
    • Employment, Safety & People
    • Public Law

    Application key dates:

    • Applications open 10 June 2024
    • Applications close 14 July 2024
    • Clerkship offers made on 11 September 2024

    Contact: Samuel Jurd, People & Culture Manager
    [email protected]
    +61 2 9291 6286

  • Melbourne

    Length of program: 4 weeks
    Eligibility:
    Applicants can be in their penultimate or final year of university through undergraduate law or the Juris Doctor program. They must also be Australian Citizens or Australian Permanent Residents.
    Intake:
    Two Summer and one Winter

    Practice teams you can rotate through for the Melbourne Clerkship include:

    • Construction & Projects
    • Property
    • Development
    • Commercial
    • Dispute Resolution & Litigation
    • Employment, Safety & People
    • Planning & Environment
    • Government Advisory

    Application key dates:

    • Applications open 1 July 2024
    • Applications close 11 August 2024
    • Clerkship offers made 16 October 2024

    Contact: Monica Barrett, People & Culture Advisor
    [email protected]
    +61 3 9258 3029

  • Canberra

    Length of program: 11 weeks
    Eligibility:
    Applicants must be in their penultimate year of university through undergraduate law or the Juris Doctor program. They must also be Australian Citizens or Australian Permanent Residents.
    Intake:
    Summer

    Practice teams you can rotate through for the Canberra Clerkship include:

    • Commercial
    • Probity
    • Privacy
    • Property
    • Dispute Resolution & Litigation

    Application key dates:

    • Applications open 10 June 2024
    • Applications close 14 July 2024
    • Clerkship offers made on 11 September 2024

    Contact: Caroline Bachi, Senior People & Culture Advisor
    [email protected] +61 2 6120 4809

Application process

Podcast: Day One Series

Lawyers Sam Ejtemai and Sophie Edgar discuss all things clerkship and commercial law related, as well as ask all the questions they wish they had the answers to from Day One.

Listen to the podcast

The Graduate program

Our Graduate program is the next step in your career at Maddocks. We carefully
select our clerks with the intention that they will become our graduate lawyers.

You will be mentored and supported at every stage of your career development.
This will enable you to develop both your technical legal skills and business
acumen on a diverse range of complex and interesting projects.

Our orientation program is designed to ensure you will be ready to settle into
your practice teams straight away. It consists of a practical legal training program
with Leo Cussen Centre for Law and a Maddocks induction program.

You will be allocated a buddy and coordinator to help you navigate your Graduate
year. You will rotate through three practice teams over 12 months, giving you the
opportunity to explore different areas and help find the right match for you.

Meet our recent Grads

  • Emily Peachey

    "It is wonderful to be able to go to work knowing that you are working with great people who are not only excellent lawyers but enjoyable to work with and want you to succeed."

  • Sam Ejtemai

    "The firm truly values diversity and the unique perspectives of all its staff and encourages you to pursue the areas of law which spark your interest."

  • Zoe Cooper

    "Everyone I have worked with is friendly and willing to help each other out."

    Application tips

    Want to know more? Get in touch.

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