Updating Results

Ashurst

4.4
  • 1,000 - 50,000 employees

Ashurst Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Law

Through our values and the way in which we work, collaboratively, by thinking differently and being passionate about the quality of we work deliver for our clients and internally for each other.

Our passion is to be the most progressive law firm and the way in which we go about achieving this through Ashurst Advance.

Ashurst Advance is our NewLaw division which meets our clients demand for innovative and cost-effective legal service delivery. We combine alternative resourcing, process and project management professionals and industry-leading technology with Ashurst's legal subject matter experts in an integrated quality assurance package to provide our clients with legal excellence with efficient delivery.

Through a blended approach to learning, you will know what we expect from you from day one. Our training programmes are designed to support you on your journey, allowing you the opportunity to take responsibility and produce the quality work our clients expect. We focus on teaching essential aspects of key areas in which the firm practices, to ensure you have a holistic view of the legal markets in which we work, and the application of the law in practice. Our well-established Graduate Programme supports you to become our leaders and trusted advisers of tomorrow, developing the kind of expertise that sets you apart and encourages you to think differently.

We help you work towards becoming an outstanding and community-minded lawyer. One who supports their community and is respected by their community.

We recognise that lawyers have a moral obligation and a professional responsibility to provide legal services to those who would otherwise be without them. At Ashurst, we actively support you to give and develop your legal skill through our pro bono practice.

You quickly get involved, supporting communities experiencing marginalisation and disadvantage and the organisations that have taken up their cause. Our global pro bono practice has a number of priority areas including Citizenship & Global Displacement; Climate Crises & Resilience; Death Row & the Criminal Justice System; Financial Inclusion & Social Finance; First Nations Peoples; Gender Rights; LGBTI+ Rights; Modern Slavery; and Rural, Regional & Remote Australians.

Recruitment Process

When applying for a clerkship at Ashurst, you will be asked for a cover letter, your CV and an academic transcript. You will also be required to complete a short answer question and psychometric testing.  Depending on the office you are joining there are either one or two rounds of interviews that we would endeavour to conduct in-person, however, we have the capability to adapt and conduct online should the need arise. You will also be invited to attend some clerkship information events during the interview process.

There's absolutely no Ashurst "type". We want to actively involve a broad range of minds with a broad range of backgrounds, all united by a common set of strengths. These strengths include a passion for Ashurst and commercial law. Outstanding communication skills, analytical ability, commercial awareness, teamwork and resilience.

Some tips for the process:

  • The interview process is as much a chance for you to get to know us, as it is us getting to know you. Be genuine, we are really keen to get to know you better. We want you to be able to be yourself at work and during the recruitment process.
  • Take your time to research the firms and prepare a tailored cover letter that clearly articulates why you are a good fit and why you want to join that firm.
  • During interviews listen carefully to the questions asked and take your time before responding this will show thoughtfulness and you're more likely to give a considered response.
  • Have well-researched questions to ask the interviewers which will demonstrate motivation and being well prepared.
  • Attend as many virtual or face to face events as possible to get a better sense of the firms and their culture.
  • Participate in our free Virtual Experience Program to gain an insight into life at Ashurst.

Remuneration & Career Growth

A clerkship gives you a good understanding of what it's like to work at Ashurst, experience our culture and the type of work we do.

In one or two departments – depending on the office you're in, you work on real cases and transactions. A partner supports and mentors you, and you work closely with a qualified lawyer and a buddy.

There are structured training programmes to develop your legal and business skills, and you have the opportunity to take part in the team's social events.

In addition to gaining valuable experience, a clerkship also presents an opportunity to join our graduate programme. We offer most of the graduate roles to people who have completed a clerkship in one of our offices.

The Graduate Programme is a 12-month programme starts with a national induction.

It's followed by an introduction into the office where you're based and an in-house Practical Legal Training (PLT) course, customised with modules specifically chosen for you. We cover the course fees.

With you, we plan three rotations and review these regularly throughout your programme. This gives you a solid foundation in legal expertise and problem-solving techniques.

Once you've completed your PLT, you're admitted as a lawyer. As the end of your programme approaches, we work with you to decide which practice you join. The choice depends on our business needs, your preferences and your job performance.

Remuneration reviews happen regularly at Ashurst and all staff are remunerated commensurate with market rates.

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
4.4
Overall score based on 27 reviews
They Score Best in…
8.7
Corporate Social Responsibility
8.6
Culture
8.8
Diversity
9.0
Training
8.7
Corporate Social Responsibility
8.6
Culture
8.8
Diversity
9.0
Training
What Graduates Say About Them
  • Investment in graduates who are early on in their careers is fantastic. Partners and senior lawyers are largely willing to mentor and take the time to give graduates opportunities to truly experience what their practice is like.
  • Being a part of a very supportive work environment, where I feel part of a team and valued as an employee.
  • Graduate culture and team environment surpasses other top tier firms with the opportunity to get involved with clients from the very beginning.
  • Strong remuneration Strong culture of junior support and continued learning. The firm puts a lot of time and resources into preparing academies and seminars to ensure graduates are informed and educated on their areas outside of just knowing how to perform the tasks.
  • The people are wonderful, and the work is of a very high quality. The international aspect is wonderful as it gives you exposure to numerous practice areas and people, as well as plenty of opportunities to work abroad.
  • Some of the technology used by the firm is outdated and needs to be modernised
  • Being an international firm means that sometimes general decisions are made that do not provide the best outcomes locally.
  • The hours can fluctuate but this is usually market driven.
  • Hours can sometimes be long, but rarely have they been unreasonable.
  • Due to the nature of working at a top-tier, high-performing law firm, the hours can be quite long and taxing as well as the balance of life and work commitments.

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
B
Business & Management
I
IT & Computer Science
L
Law, Legal Studies & Justice
Current Jobs & Opportunities

Internship, Clerkship or Placement

Canberra
We are now accepting applications for our Seasonal Clerkships in our Canberra offices until 9 July 2024!
Applications Close
7 Sep 2024
Start Date
5 Dec 2024
Salary
AUD 75,000 - 80,000 / Year

competitive

Internship, Clerkship or Placement

Sydney and Brisbane
We're looking for final year IT students like you! Most of our graduate roles are offered to people who complete an internship with us.
Applications Close
9 Aug 2024
Start Date
20 Nov 2024
Salary
AUD 70,000 - 80,000 / Year


Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories
Throughout my rotations in Ashurst's IT Graduate Program, I have had the opportunity to work on various projects and gain firsthand experience in different areas of IT, from service transition and cyber security to IT architecture and business analysis

Sam Odgaard

  • Graduate stories
Throughout my rotations in Ashurst's IT Graduate Program, I have had the opportunity to work on various projects and gain firsthand experience in different areas of IT, from service transition and cyber security to IT architecture and business analysis

Sam Odgaard

  • Graduate stories
There are so many learning and development options at Ashurst, which is probably one of the most valuable things about being a part of this firm.

Karen Wang

  • Graduate stories
There are so many learning and development options at Ashurst, which is probably one of the most valuable things about being a part of this firm.

Karen Wang

  • Graduate stories
Throughout my rotations in Ashurst's IT Graduate Program, I have had the opportunity to work on various projects and gain firsthand experience in different areas of IT, from service transition and cyber security to IT architecture and business analysis

Sam Odgaard

  • Graduate stories
Throughout my rotations in Ashurst's IT Graduate Program, I have had the opportunity to work on various projects and gain firsthand experience in different areas of IT, from service transition and cyber security to IT architecture and business analysis

Sam Odgaard

  • Graduate stories
There are so many learning and development options at Ashurst, which is probably one of the most valuable things about being a part of this firm.

Karen Wang

  • Graduate stories
There are so many learning and development options at Ashurst, which is probably one of the most valuable things about being a part of this firm.

Karen Wang


A Day In The Life Of


  • Day in the life

Tyler Mooney

Unlocking the Power of Automation: Journeying from Task Boards to Business Process Transformation
  • Day in the life

Tyler Mooney

Unlocking the Power of Automation: Journeying from Task Boards to Business Process Transformation
  • Day in the life

Lachlan Quinn

Rise, Commute, Conquer: A Day in the Life of an Innovator at the Pulse of Productivity, from processing documents to meeting with clients.
  • Day in the life

Lachlan Quinn

Rise, Commute, Conquer: A Day in the Life of an Innovator at the Pulse of Productivity, from processing documents to meeting with clients.
  • Day in the life

Tyler Mooney

Unlocking the Power of Automation: Journeying from Task Boards to Business Process Transformation
  • Day in the life

Tyler Mooney

Unlocking the Power of Automation: Journeying from Task Boards to Business Process Transformation
  • Day in the life

Lachlan Quinn

Rise, Commute, Conquer: A Day in the Life of an Innovator at the Pulse of Productivity, from processing documents to meeting with clients.
  • Day in the life

Lachlan Quinn

Rise, Commute, Conquer: A Day in the Life of an Innovator at the Pulse of Productivity, from processing documents to meeting with clients.

Videos


2022 April Job & Internship Super Fair | Ashurst

Watch Hannah and Christina from Ashurst talk about their graduate program and how to succeed in the Law sector!

What has been the highlight and challenge of your program?

Learn the highlights and challenges of Ashurst Graduate Programme.

2022 April Job & Internship Super Fair | Ashurst

Watch Hannah and Christina from Ashurst talk about their graduate program and how to succeed in the Law sector!

What has been the highlight and challenge of your program?

Learn the highlights and challenges of Ashurst Graduate Programme.

Advice


Campus Life

This whole article so far has been about creating balance and having a positive mindset.

Ashurst Office Tour at 5 Martin Place, Sydney

Take a sneak peek inside Ashurst's Sydney office.

Campus Life

This whole article so far has been about creating balance and having a positive mindset.

Ashurst Office Tour at 5 Martin Place, Sydney

Take a sneak peek inside Ashurst's Sydney office.