At a Glance
- Tasks: Gain hands-on experience working on high-profile legal matters with expert lawyers.
- Company: Join Maddocks, a top-rated modern Australian law firm.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, wellness programs, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Experience a diverse workplace with a strong focus on community involvement.
- Why this job: Kickstart your legal career in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Must be in your penultimate year of law studies and an Australian citizen.
The predicted salary is between 47250 - 57750 $ per year.
Maddocks offers a great place to Do What Matters to you. By joining our clerkship program, you will gain first-hand experience working on interesting, often high-profile matters, for a range of clients. We are proud to be recognised as #5 in Law in the Australian Association of Graduate Employers (AAGE) 2025 & 2026 Top Intern Programs and #1 in Law – Top Graduate Employer.
About us
We are a modern Australian law firm with a leading reputation. At Maddocks, we focus on exceptional service, legal excellence and being at the forefront of employee experience. We work closely with Australian and international businesses, organisations and governments. Our Canberra practice areas focus on public law and include; Corporate & Commercial, Real Estate & Construction, Dispute Resolution & Litigation, Probity and Privacy.
The Program
Our Clerkship program is an 11-week program that offers the first step for students seeking Graduate positions. During the 11-week program you will experience:
- A personalised induction plan with high quality training and learning opportunities, developing key skills to succeed as a lawyer
- Working in two practice groups of your preference, with support in each rotation from a dedicated buddy and coordinator
- During the clerkship, you will have the opportunity to work in supportive and collaborative teams, alongside Partners and lawyers. You will gain real-world experience through challenging and meaningful work on active client matters.
Requirements
We welcome applications from students who are:
- In the penultimate year of an undergraduate law degree or the JD program
- An Australian or New Zealand Citizen or Australian permanent resident
- Able to commence the program on 16 November 2026
- Expected to complete all academic requirements of their degree by December 2027
Maddocks is simply a great place to do great work. We foster a culture of collaboration, learning and engagement where you will experience:
- A diverse and inclusive workplace: We have been named an employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Workforce Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) every year since 2004 along with being named a Silver Employer at the Australian Workplace Equality Index's 2024 LGBTQ Inclusion Awards. We promote diversity internally through our Maddocks Gender Equality Network, Maddocks CALD, Maddocks Disability Inclusion and Maddocks Pride groups.
- Career Development: Learn and develop through structured learning and development programs at each stage of your career and study support programs.
- Community involvement: Give back to the communities in which we operate through our thriving pro bono and grants programs and staff volunteering initiatives.
- Wellbeing & Benefits: Access to up to 20 weeks paid parental leave, discounted gym memberships & health insurance, salary continuance insurance, Employee Assistance Program and parents and carers wellbeing programs.
Our people are our greatest advocates, and we believe this is a result of our inclusive culture and focus on complex and interesting work. To be eligible for this role you must be an Australian citizen or eligible for Australian citizenship due to the nature of government work.
Canberra Summer Clerkship 2026/27 employer: Maddocks
Maddocks is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and supportive work culture, particularly within our Public Law team in Melbourne. We prioritise employee growth through comprehensive training and development opportunities, including mentorship for junior lawyers, ensuring that you can thrive in your career while making a meaningful impact on both government and private clients.
