200 years ago, Allens was a one-person legal practice founded by a newly-barred 21-year-old. Today, it stands as a powerhouse in both commercial law and graduate employment, ranking at an impressive #24 among Australia's Top 100 Graduate Employers.
One graduate attorney at Allens’ Melbourne office spoke positively about the career prospects for junior staff. “The firm has a clearly defined and structured program of progression, and an enormous amount of time is invested in coaching juniors (for example, with quarterly catch-ups with assigned performance coaches).”
While the pay is good enough, grads at Allens are not eligible for bonuses. “The pay for juniors is standard and there are no bonuses, but as you move up pay and bonuses dramatically increase,” said a grad.
While you’re at it, be sure to check out Allens’ Graduate programs open to law grads and students looking to kickstart their careers!
If you saw the news last year about Alinta Energy’s $900 million debt refinancing case, chances are you’ve already heard about Gilbert + Tobin. Fun fact: G + T boasts the highest percentage of female partners among law firms in the country!
One grad had this to say about career prospects at G+T. “G+T has a reputation for promoting people to partner at a young age. The level of ownership I've been given over matters (even at a graduate level) was daunting in the beginning but has been so rewarding. I feel confident that more senior people are supporting me and giving me leadership responsibilities.”
Another grad commended the salary offered to entry-level attorneys. “As a graduate, I am extremely happy with my pay. The firm is renowned for being generous with pay raises and bonuses. Although firms overseas tend to pay more than the Australian market, G+T has a reputation for paying people the best salaries in Australia for lawyers and graduates. This makes me feel valued and helps me plan for the future.”
Learn how to succeed in their graduate program from a Gilbert + Tobin partner who first joined as a clerk.
If your interests are corporate law, private wealth law, property law, taxation or litigation, then Arnold Bloch Leibler is the place to be. ABL is one of Australia’s top commercial law firms renowned for its expertise in these areas.
For one, the culture at ABL has been consistently applauded.
“Everyone is super welcoming, but there also isn't an expectation that everyone will necessarily want to get involved in the same way, so there is no pressure to "fit the norm" which is really nice.” said a grad at ABL.
Another grad spoke highly of the compensation at ABL. “The firm treats its Graduates well in this respect. Its remuneration package is excellent compared to what you will get from the same role in other larger firms.”
Thinking of applying to ABL? First, get the inside scoop on life at ABL from this grad who works there.
With over 31 offices worldwide, Ashurst is a global law firm with extensive local market knowledge. The firm's commitment to supporting early careers and effective graduate recruitment practices was recognized in the 2023 AllAboutLaw awards, where it won the Most Popular Digital Campus Series and Most Engaging Event awards.
Ashurst is rated highly for their commitment to diversity. As one grad based in their Melbourne office pointed out, Ashurst provides, “Market-leading parental leave - 26 weeks' paid leave for all parents. LGBT, women's and multicultural committees.”
Another grad at the Brisbane office acknowledged remuneration and perks at Ashurst. “Pay is great, free corporate gym membership, corporate health plan.”
Here's what a typical day in the life of a law graduate at Ashurst looks like.
Corrs Chambers Westgarth is an independent law firm that has been at the forefront of several high-profile cases in Australia. They have also been recognized numerously for their strong commitment to diversity and inclusion among their people and clients.
Many grads reported high levels of satisfaction from their daily responsibilities at Corrs. “I see my day-to-day work as educational, challenging and ultimately as work that actually does form a very important part of the overall matter for the senior lawyers.” one grad noted.
On salary and bonuses, another grad said, “Pretty good. Not the best but not the worst by a long shot. The bonus system only rewards people who are working very long hours.”
Take a sneak peek into Corrs Chambers Westgarth’s highly-rated Melbourne office.
Once you have a list of firms you would like to work at, work on increasing your chances of getting accepted. Here are a couple of resources to help you do just that:
Find open Law graduate jobs in Melbourne and apply today.