Trainee Lawyer Program
Our Traineeship 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, tangible
professional development, and provide you with a real sense of
accomplishment.
A Trainee Lawyer clerkship with Maurice Blackburn means an
exciting, rewarding beginning to your legal career.
Apply for a position as a Trainee
Lawyer.
What do we look for in a
Trainee Lawyer?
Each year we recruit up to twenty Trainee Lawyers across the
firm, mostly in our Victorian Offices, although a number of
opportunities also exist in our Queensland offices. Our successful
candidates will have clearly demonstrated the following:
- A genuine interest in plaintiff law, including a knowledge of
our areas of practice
- An understanding of the history, and an appreciation of our
philosophy
- Sound academic achievements in law
- Superior communication skills
- A demonstrated ability to interact effectively with people at
all levels
- An empathy for diversity and social justice
Read what some
of our trainee lawyers have to say.
The Trainee Lawyer
program
Our Trainee Lawyer Program has been specially designed to
combine your formal training with invaluable hands-on experience.
The program provides a wide range of training aimed at
familiarising you with all aspects of plaintiff law.
During our Trainee Lawyer Program you would generally undertake
two 6-month rotations providing you with the opportunity to develop
a thorough understanding of these practice areas.
Buddies and mentors
When you start with the firm you will be paired with a newly
qualified solicitor who will act as your 'buddy' to help you settle
into the day to day routine of the firm. Your buddy will be able to
answer any questions and provide advice on general office
matters.
You will also be assigned a mentor, usually a senior solicitor
from another practice area, who will meet with you on a monthly
basis and provide you with career guidance throughout the
year.
The application
process
Victoria
For information on opportunities for graduates in Victoria,
please contact Clarissa Gamble, HR Consultant on (03) 9605 2700 or
via email recruitment@mauriceblackburn.com.au.
Queensland
For information on opportunities for graduates in Queensland,
please contact Kate Cullen on (07) 3016 0300 or email kcullen@mauriceblackburn.com.au.
New South Wales
For information on opportunities for graduates in New South
Wales, please contact Angela O'Hare on (02) 9261 1488.
Induction
All Trainee Lawyers participate in an informative one week
induction program which involves; an introduction to the firm and
the staff; an overview of the various jurisdictions in which the
firm practices, seminars at the Leo Cussen Institute, and training
on our office systems.
Rotations
The Trainee Lawyer Program consists of two 6-month rotations and
is structured to provide you with the opportunity to develop a
thorough understanding of the two practice areas. You will be
consulted regarding your preferences, and where possible, we will
place you in the areas that you have a genuine interest in.
Professional development and
training
As a Trainee Lawyer you can expect to have access to our
comprehensive professional development program. The development
program will incorporate Continuing Legal Education seminars
presented by principals or associates on the various practice
areas, external legal practice seminars, court visits and personal
development sessions.
To further develop your range of legal skills, and build your
confidence, you will be given hands-on experience, which generally
consists of a supervised file load for you to work on. Office
systems training will include research, finance and 'No win - No
charge' cases.
You will find our Trainee Lawyer Program challenging, diverse,
stimulating and very rewarding.
Career breaks
At Maurice Blackburn we believe that having a flexible approach
to staff is important. We recognise that following completion of
the Trainee Program you may wish to apply for six months leave
within the first three years of work to broaden your life
experiences, travel, or just take time out.