Trainee legal assistants program

Our Trainee Legal Assistant Program provides broad ranging training designed to familiarise you with all aspects of plaintiff law. The program encourages active participation and contribution, enabling you to be rewarded with excellent training opportunities, and to provide you with a real sense of accomplishment.

A position in the Trainee Legal Assistant Program with Maurice Blackburn means an exciting and rewarding beginning to your legal career.

What do we look for in a Trainee Legal Assistant?

Each year we recruit a number of Trainee Legal Assistants across our Victorian, Sydney and Brisbane offices.

Our successful candidates clearly demonstrate the following:

  • a genuine interest in plaintiff law and knowledge of our areas of practice;
  • an understanding of our history and appreciation of our philosophy
  • completion of, or working towards, a tertiary qualification (i.e.: Advanced Diploma of Business/Legal Practice) or similar
  • superior communication skills (both verbal and written)
  • client service and team focus
  • initiative and adaptability
  • ability to apply time management and organisational skills
  • a minimum typing speed of 40wpm, and
  • an empathy for diversity and social justice.

Your Trainee Legal Assistant program

The Trainee Legal Assistant program was developed to attract tertiary qualified graduates who are keen to move into the legal arena. The program consists of two six month rotations through practice teams and is structured to provide you with the opportunity to develop a thorough understanding of two practice areas.

Prior to your rotation, you will be consulted regarding your preferences and, where possible, we will place you in the areas that genuinely interest you.

During each rotation, you will sit with an experienced legal assistant who will be your 'coach' and will work with you on a daily basis. They will also provide you with ongoing feedback on your development.

At the end of each rotation, a handover appraisal will be conducted to give you further feedback about your performance and to identify training needs.

Induction

All Trainee Legal Assistants will participate in an induction program, which involves an introduction to the firm and the staff, an overview of the various jurisdictions in which the firm practices and training on our office systems.

The application process

Victoria

Applications for Trainee Legal Assistant roles in our Victorian offices open 16 August and close on 30 August 2010. Interviews will be conducted from Monday 20 September to Friday 24 September 2010 and offers will be made to successful candidates on Friday 1 October 2010. The program will commence on Monday 7 February 2011.

All applications must be made through the 'positions vacant' section of the Maurice Blackburn website http://fsr.cvmail.com.au/mauriceblackburn/. Unfortunately, applications received in any manner other than via the Maurice Blackburn website will not be accepted.

If you have any questions regarding the process please contact Kate Dobbrick, HR Consultant on (03) 9605 2700 or via email kdobbrick@mauriceblackburn.com.au.

Queensland

For information regarding opportunities in Queensland, please contact Rob Callander on (07) 3016 0300.

New South Wales

For information regarding opportunities in New South Wales, please contact Angela O'Hare on (02) 9261 1488.

Indigenous Trainee Legal Assistant opportunities

Maurice Blackburn is pleased to advise that the firm will reserve one place in our Trainee Legal Assistant Program for an indigenous student who satisfies the above stated criteria. All applications must be made through the 'positions vacant' section of the Maurice Blackburn website http://fsr.cvmail.com.au/mauriceblackburn/.

Please state in your cover letter how you were made aware of the opportunity (i.e. through Taiwirri or an indigenous publication) so that we can identify your application.