A vacation clerkship provides students with a taste of how a large commercial law firm goes about meeting the needs of its clients. For more than 15 years, Freehills has offered vacation clerkships, employing around 140 vacation clerks annually for our offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane.
As a vacation clerk, you will be given extensive training on all aspects of the firm, as well as drafting and research skills. Current lawyers will speak to you about what they do and the nature of work in each of the legal sections in the firm. You will have the opportunity to work with our lawyers as a member of our legal team, attend professional development seminars and briefings from our clients and other industry and economic experts. These sessions are designed to help you gain an appreciation for the commercial context in which our legal advice is delivered. There is also a variety of social events organised for our vacation clerks.
The best training we can offer is through direct day-to-day contact with our approachable partners, lawyers and staff and, where possible, direct exposure to our clients.
By contributing to a team dealing with real clients and matters, you will quickly determine if this is where you want to launch your career.
Who are we looking for?
We focus on attracting students who have the ability, ambition and enthusiasm to excel. These attributes are assessed from your academic results, extracurricular interests and life experience outside your studies. In your application, please tell us about your interest in commerce and what drives business. We are also particularly interested in your demonstrated ability to successfully combine your studies with other competing priorities, challenges and achievements such as work experience, sporting endeavours, music, or other interests. You should also demonstrate that you can work effectively in a team and have a practical, problem-solving approach to your work.
During the clerkship
You will be supervised by both a partner and solicitor. Where ever possible you will have client contact by attendance at meetings or court appearances, for example. If you have an interest in a particular practice area please let us know as we will do our best to place you there during your clerkship.
To read about a recent clerkship experience, click here.
The recruitment process
Our recruitment process involves a number of opportunities for you to get to know us and for us to find out more about you. While the process can vary slightly from office to office, your recruitment experience with Freehills will typically involve the following:
Online application
Your first opportunity to tell us about yourself is your online application. Your application for a vacation clerk position needs to include:
- a brief covering letter outlining your interest in and suitability for a position at Freehills
- a current curriculum vitae, including details of your work experience and extra curricular activities such as sporting activities, music, volunteer work, club memberships and other interests. We value a demonstrated ability to successfully combine other activities and competing priorities with your studies as well as an interest in commerce and what drives business
- a photocopy of your most recent transcript of academic results.
Please submit your application online through CV Mail. For further information and dates for submissions click on the link to the vacation clerk recruitment program timetable.
Meet our people
You will have the opportunity to attend a number of informal events to meet some of our solicitors and partners where you can find out more about life at Freehills. These events include a tour of our offices, an information evening, and social events such as a cocktail party.
Assessment
Psychometric assessment is a normal part of the recruitment process for vacation clerks at Freehills. Our aim is to identify those people likely to develop into outstanding commercial lawyers and this tool provides us with additional information regarding the likelihood that you will find your work at Freehills satisfying and be successful in your role. We will let you know in advance what to expect from the psychometric assessment and will provide you with feedback regardless of whether or not you join our firm.
Interviews
The interview provides a chance for you to learn more about the firm, understand the types of work you may be involved in and explore your technical knowledge, your experience, skills and interests. Interviews at Freehills are normally with a partner, but sometimes may include a senior associate or a member of our HR team.
All the information we’ve learnt about you in the recruitment process is combined and carefully considered when assessing your suitability for a vacation clerk position with Freehills.