Graduate Program

Welcome and thank you for your interest in Marsdens Law Group!

Introduction

Marsdens values inclusivity, diversity and creating a real sense of family in the workplace. We have a long history of developing law students and preparing them for a successful legal career as they navigate their transition from law student to lawyer. Indeed, many of our Partners were first employed by Marsdens as Law Clerks! Their time at Marsdens has provided a solid legal grounding and created opportunities for success in many different fields. Many have gone on to become Partners in other firms, founded successful law firms, been called to the bar including appointments to Senior Counsel or have even been appointed to Judicial positions. Whatever your ambitions are, Marsdens provides a fantastic opportunity to build your legal career.

We are committed to ensuring a fair and transparent selection process that fosters inclusivity and provides valuable learning experiences for Law Clerks, Summer Clerks, PLT Students, and Work Experience Students.

Positions

Discover the diverse roles at Marsdens:

Law Clerks

Dive into the world of legal support, where Law Clerks assist our legal teams with research, document drafting, and various legal matters. A Marsdens Law Clerk is allocated to work in a specific field of law, where you will have access to senior mentors including Partners, be involved in client engagement and perform quality legal work. We nurture your ability to drive your own career. We find that this process gives the Law Clerk a fantastic base from which to launch their legal career as a lawyer. Every department in our firm is led by a Partner who is an accredited specialist in their area of law.

Summer Clerks

During summer breaks, students are provided with a taste of working in a multi-disciplinary professional services firm where they gain hands-on experience, preparing them for their legal careers.

PLT Students

Engage in supervised work experience to hone practical legal skills required for admission to practice law.

Work Experience Students

Explore the legal profession through short-term placements, gaining valuable workplace skills.

Our view on rotation between Legal Teams

Whilst we do not have a structured rotation plan for Law Clerks, Summer Clerks and PLT Students, our philosophy is far more modern, diverse and inclusive.

That is, here at Marsdens, your Leader/Partner and Mentor enables you to create a bespoke career pathway that works for You, the Firm, your Team and our Clients.

We encourage and support you to not only become competent in the area of practice in which you are employed, but also foster an environment where you will have a connected experience with deep knowledge to expertly serve our Clients, the Firm, the Community and your own career aspirations.

Opportunities will arise throughout other areas of practice from time to time and career transition to other areas of practice are not uncommon within our firm.

Therefore, we encourage people to engage in their career and lean into the area of practice which they genuinely have passion for.

Benefits we offer

The benefits of starting your legal career at Marsdens are wide and varied. Below are just some of those benefits.

Legal and mentoring

  1. Exposure to a high level of legal work and client interaction early in your career. Aspirational lawyers don’t want to spend their time printing off reams of documents.
  2. Direct access to hands on training and mentorship from senior lawyers within the firm.
  3. Mentoring by some of the best minds in the business.
  4. From day one, you will be given meaningful work and more responsibility than you might expect. This means that you will be exposed to top tier clients very early in your career.
  5. Working with a Partner who is an accredited specialist.

Career development and engagement

  1. Law Clerks are invited to attend a monthly lunch the purpose of which is to develop and foster relationships with your peers under the guidance of the Partners.
  2. As a Senior Law Clerk, you will be invited to attend our annual office seminar which is held over 2 days and provides both legal training and social interaction.
  3. Annual staff review process which features a two-way conversation with your direct supervisor and then subsequently with the Managing Partner.

Community engagement

  1. Opportunities to be involved in numerous PR activities and groups which can help build your own profile, along with promoting the firm.
  2. Opportunities to undertake pro-bono work with various charities (including the Cancer Council, St Vincent De Paul, Salvation Army and Lifeline to name just a few).
  3. Opportunities to engage with and give back to the community.

Wellness and benefits

  1. Work from home and Flexible Work is offered as per our policies.
  2. Paid Parental Leave in accordance with our policy.
  3. Healthy social activity and culture amongst each level of the firm. This includes team lunches/dinners, regular office drinks, Melbourne Cup lunch, and Staff Christmas party to name just a few.
  4. Monthly mufti days with all money raised donated to a worthwhile charity.
  5. Fresh fruit delivered to the office each day.
  6. High performers are rewarded with promotions and growth if performance metrics are met. Many of our Partners started their careers as Law Clerks or Graduates at Marsdens.
  7. On admission as a solicitor, we will pay your practicing certificate fee.

Employment Criteria

Education and Qualifications

Law Clerk

  • Enrolment in an accredited law school.

Summer Clerk

  • Completion of a minimum of one year of law school enrolment.

PLT Student

  • Enrolment in a recognised Practical Legal Training program.
  • Satisfactory completion of all prerequisite courses for the program.

Work Experience Student

  • Enrolment in a relevant educational institution including high school, college, or university.

Skills and Abilities

Law Clerk, Summer Clerk, and PLT Student

  • Strong legal research and analytical skills.
  • Excellent written and oral communication abilities.
  • Proficiency in using legal research tools and databases.
  • Attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
  • Time management and organizational skills.
  • Understand and adopt confidentiality and privacy obligations.

Work Experience Student

  • Basic understanding of legal concepts (where applicable).
  • Willingness to learn and contribute to assigned tasks.
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Adaptability and willingness to work as part of a team.
  • Understand and adopt confidentiality and privacy obligations.

How to apply

Law Clerks

We regularly advertise vacant positions on Seek and post them to our social media platforms. Click below to see our current positions awaiting your application.

Summer Clerks

Summer Clerks are employed over the University Christmas holiday period. If you are interested in a Summer Clerk position then please email our HR Manager at mwilson@marsdens.net.au with your letter of introduction, current resume, up to date academic transcript, and any supporting documents by no later than 30 September. Positions are limited and we will request that you attend an interview to determine you motivation and suitability for the role.

PLT Students

Throughout the year we support current students in satisfying the requirement for Practical Legal Training (PLT). These positions require extensive supervision at the conclusion of which documents are signed by your supervisor confirming that you have satisfied the requirements. For that reason, positions are limited however, they are available throughout the year. If you are interested in completing your PLT with Marsdens then please email our HR Manager at mwilson@marsdens.net.au with your letter of introduction, current academic transcript, proof of your enrolment in a recognised PLT program, your requested range of dates for participation and any supporting documents.

Work Experience Student

We regularly host students, be they school students, college attendees or University students, for shorter periods of time to gain an introduction to the busy life of a law practice. These positions are offered throughout the year. If you are interested in such a role, we invite you to submit a request to our HR Manager via email at mwilson@marsdens.net.au including your letter of introduction, most recent academic results notice, the period for which you are seeking the position and any other supporting documents.