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Graduate Employment and Summer Clerkship Programs

The 2012 NSW Graduate Employment and Summer Clerkship Programs are co-ordinated by the Law Society of NSW for the benefit of law firms in NSW and law schools.

Administered in accordance with the Graduate Employment and Summer Clerkship Guidelines, the Graduate Employment Program is generally open to final year law students and the Summer Clerkship Program is generally open to penultimate year law students.

Students should confirm with each law firm whether the firm intends to make offers for graduate or summer clerkship positions outside the desired year group before submitting their application to the selected law firm.

The Guidelines are intended to implement a fair program for law firms and students by providing set dates for the recruitment process. Students should be mindful that the programs are competitive in nature and recruitment is not guaranteed for either program.

View Graduate Employment and Summer Clerkship Guidelines

Benefits for students

By allowing students to simultaneously consider offers received, the Graduate Employment and Summer Clerkship Programs provide students with the opportunity to make an informed and timely selection.

How to apply for placements in 2012

Timeframes apply for the opening and closing of applications for summer clerkships and graduate positions, and the making and accepting of summer clerk and graduate employment offers in accordance with Schedule A of the Guidelines.

Each participating law firm has its own application process. Students should send their completed application in the format preferred by the firm of their choice. The Student Application Form* is to be used only where specifically required by the firm. For firm requirements view the list of Participating Law Firms for the Summer Clerk Program and the Graduate Employment Program.

The Law Society cannot accept lodgment of student applications.

Students should direct all enquiries to the law firm of their choosing, or alternatively, email Roya Eizadi at llfadmin@lawsociety.com.au.

2012 key program dates

Graduate Employment

Summer Clerkships

Benefits for Law Firms and Legal Education Providers

Whilst the primary reason for establishing the Guidelines is to assist the students, firms and law schools participating in the Programs also derive benefits, including:

• A structured set of dates, simplifying and streamlining the recruitment process.
• The ability to alter their contact details on the list of Participating Law Firms to update or change information (email any changes to llfadmin@lawsociety.com.au).
• Increased exposure for the law firms to students of law schools.
• The opportunity to to assess candidates during a summer clerkship for possible future recruitment as graduates.

To become a participating law firm

1. Please read the Graduate Employment and Summer Clerkship Guidelines and the Law Society of NSW Graduate Employment and Summer Clerkship Guidelines Review Statement, and
2. Submit the completed Law Firm Participation Form, together with the annual participation fee of $770 (inclusive of GST).

To become a participating legal education provider

1. Please read the Graduate Employment and Summer Clerkship Guidelines and the Law Society of NSW Graduate Employment and Summer Clerkship Guidelines Review Statement, and
2. Submit the completed Legal Education Provider Participation Form.