Recruitment process

We review all applications against key competencies. Successful applicants are invited to a first round interview with a representative from HR and a senior associate, followed by coffee with a recent graduate or young lawyer. Second round interviews are held with two partners. Offers are made to the successful applicants.  Recruiting vacation clerks is very much a two-way process: we get to know more about you and you can determine whether Minter Ellison is the right fit for you.

We do not recruit graduates separately. Graduate positions are offered to vacation clerks who have performed well, are enthusiastic about a career in private practice, and who are a good fit with our firm culture.

Vacation clerkships

Your clerkship begins with a three-day induction covering our history, policies, an overview of our practice areas, helpful tips and hints for clerks and comprehensive IT and Know How training.

You will receive real life work experience, working closely with partners and lawyers on live matters, taking part in several practical legal and skills training programs, meeting deadlines and producing quality work. You will be allocated a supervisor for daily support who help you manage your workload, and a 'buddy' (who is a graduate or young lawyer in your practice group), for extra insight and advice.

Our clerkship program also incorporates an active social calendar so you have some fun and get to know with the firm's graduates, lawyers and partners in a more informal environment.

Graduate program

When you begin your graduate program the focus will be on support and excellence. Your graduate experience will be informed by a strong learning culture. Upon joining you will attend a comprehensive one week induction. The induction will enable you to form relationships with your fellow graduates, familiarise yourself with office procedures and IT systems and learn about the resources available to you.

During your Graduate Development Program, you will also have full access to the firm's Learning and Development calendar which boasts a range of courses, workshops and seminars designed to enhance your professional development in areas such as time management, negotiation and presentation skills.

As part of your Graduate Development Program you will complete a 32 week Practical Legal Training program. This program is delivered in-house and combines face to face sessions with on-line learning. As part of program you will attend various workshops to gain the practical skills necessary for working as a lawyer such as interviewing skills; legal writing and drafting; negotiation and advocacy skills.

See Career development for more information.

Rotations

Canberra office has four practice groups: Dispute Resolution Dispute Resolution, Corporate, HR&IR and Real Estate. During your vacation clerkship and your graduate development program you will be asked to nominate a practice group preference for each of your rotations. Although we cannot guarantee it, we will make every effort to build your preferences into your program to help you design your career.

Vacation clerkships include two one month rotations in two different practice groups. Graduates complete two six-month rotations in two different practice groups.

In making rotation preferences it is important to gain an understanding of what the various practice groups do and keep an open mind about where interesting experiences can be gained. For example, you can gain exposure to litigation not only in the Dispute Resolution division, but also in HR&IR, Construction and Intellectual Property. We also encourage you to consider which groups complement each other – for example, many people who are interested in a career as a Finance lawyer do rotations in Property and/or Tax to gain a greater understanding of how these areas impact on Finance transactions. Or dedicated litigators often benefit from spending time in M&A or Real Estate where they gain an understanding of how transactions are structured at the front end of a deal. Finally, take the opportunity to speak with partners and other lawyers within the firm about their areas of interest.

What work will I do?

The nature of the work you complete during your clerkship or graduate year will vary depending on which practice group you join. However, broadly speaking the types of tasks you can expect to receive include:

• preparing an initial draft of an advice
• attending client meetings and/or teleconferences
• attending court
• assisting with document management/due diligence
• preparing case chronologies
• researching points of law.

Getting admitted

To become admitted in the ACT you must complete a recognised law degree and an approved program of practical legal training.

As part of the Graduate Development Program, all our Graduates undertake our in-house Practical Legal Training (PLT) course. This program is run in collaboration with Griffith University and prepares our graduates for admission as a legal practitioner. The program satisfies the requirements for direct admission in the ACT. The program is delivered in-house and combines lectures and case studies presented by university lecturers and Minter Ellison partners and senior associates.

Minter Ellison covers the cost of the course and makes all necessary arrangements for your enrolment and application to the Supreme Court of the ACT. Study leave is also granted during this period.

How to apply

To check your eligibility for clerkships please go to  Choosing the right program. Apply for a vacation clerkship or graduate position using our online application form. We cannot accept paper applications.

Minter Ellison abides by the national summer clerk and graduate guidelines.

For more information please read our FAQs and testimonials.