2022/2023 Sydney Seasonal Clerkship Program (Nov 2022)

This program is the ideal opportunity for you to experience firsthand what it is like to work as a lawyer in our firm. We have nine practice areas across Australia. As a seasonal clerk you will be embedded into one practice area and be involved in real legal work right from the start, giving you in-depth experience and providing real insight into life as a lawyer at K&L Gates.

In conjunction with on-the-job experience, we provide formal training. On day one, you will receive an in-depth induction to the firm followed by on-going training sessions over the course of your clerkship program. These sessions have been designed to develop your legal knowledge and business skills, as well as to give you a broader insight into the various areas of law in which we practise.

We truly believe that working together is better. Your supervisor and buddy will help you settle in and you will work closely with the partners, special counsel, senior associates and lawyers in your team. You will be provided with opportunities to build strong relationships, both within your team and the wider firm network. We provide and encourage a collaborative environment in which you can develop and thrive.

Not only will you get to experience what it is like to work in a global corporate law firm, you will have the chance to enjoy our down to earth culture we are known for. Clerks are encouraged to attend learning and development sessions, firm celebrations and other activities such as staff drinks and our regular pro-bono, community and charitable activities, and an innovation Hackathon Day. There will also be opportunities to join in on some of the work our Diversity Committee does to create an inclusive, diverse and supportive working environment.

What do we look for in a clerk?

K&L Gates is about more than practising law or making a living. It’s about building something amazing—creating a legacy for you, the firm, our clients and the communities we serve. 

We look to recruit well-rounded, talented people, to provide the opportunities and support for them to achieve their best. It sounds simple, and to us it is. Our aim is to develop commercially orientated and entrepreneurial lawyers. Solid academic results are important but to be a future lawyer in our firm you need to demonstrate talent and skill in a variety of areas. 

We are looking for smart, imaginative and hard-working people with diverse back­grounds, experiences and ideas to join us. Perhaps our search for talented visionaries and your search for important and impact­ful work lead to the same place.

Clerkship dates

• Summer: November 2022 - February 2023 (10 weeks in duration)
  Program dates are to be confirmed.

About K&L Gates 

K&L Gates is one of the largest law firms in the world with more than 40 offices located in key capital cities and world commercial and financial centres across five continents. It is a fully integrated network of lawyers and legal professionals who believe that clients need more than technical legal skills; they need insightful and practical advice on the diverse issues that affect their businesses, delivered with unparalleled client service. Our combination of practice strength, a global platform, and unsurpassed client service is a true differentiator in the legal services marketplace. 

In Australia, K&L Gates has approximately 300 fee earners located across four offices: Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

Please visit the Careers section of our website or our GradAustralia or Facebook pages for further information.

How do I apply?

Applications should be submitted online by clicking the 'Apply' button. As part of your application, you will be asked to upload your academic transcript, a cover letter, and for you to provide answers to set questions before providing us with details about your work experience, education and extra-curricular activities. Successful applicants for interviews will be notified by email.  You will experience a two stage interview process. Your first interview will be with one of our senior lawyers that are part of our recruitment team, as well as a member of our Human Resources team. The second interview is a group activity. 

To be eligible to apply, you will be a law student, ideally in your penultimate year of study at university and ready to commence as a Graduate in March 2024. 

We intend to run a completely face-to-face 2022/2023 Sydney seasonal clerk recruitment campaign. 

K&L Gates is an equal opportunity employer and promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of those with a disability. We welcome applications from people who have an indigenous and/or culturally and linguistically diverse background. 

Please note, applications close at 11.45 pm Sunday 10 July 2022.