Updating Results
Menu

Clayton Utz

+ Add a review
3.8
  • #4 in Law
  • 1,000 - 50,000 employees

Clayton Utz Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Law

Clayton Utz is a top-tier Australian law firm. With a genuine commitment to client service, we are trusted advisers to a diverse base of private and public sector organisations.

We advise Australia's top financial institutions, multinational corporations, and state and Australian government departments and agencies. We advise Australian-based clients with a need for help on offshore transactions, and foreign entities who are investing or doing business in Australia. Our independence allows us to pursue whole-business relationships with a range of leading foreign firms, not just one.

With over 180 years' experience of operating in the Australian and global economy for home-grown and foreign clients, we have a track record of getting the job done well.

Staying true to your direction is what defines Clayton Utz. At Clayton Utz, we've built a team of down-to-earth, collaborative lawyers who know that at the heart of exceptional client service is knowing what your client needs. We offer the sharpest legal minds. The clearest advice that cuts through the complexity, so our clients can concentrate on the things that really matter. And an unshakable sense of what’s possible.

Pro Bono

Clayton Utz is serious about pro bono best practice. It's embedded into our culture and is a fundamental part of who we are as a firm. We were the first large Australian law firm to establish an in-house pro bono practice; the first to appoint a full-time pro bono partner; and the first to sign the National Pro Bono Target. 

Importantly, pro bono is about the real difference that our work makes to clients' lives. We have provided over 815,000 pro bono hours since our firm was established in 1997. 

In FY22, we provided 51,998 hours of pro bono legal assistance to 742 individuals and 272 not-for-profits. We also worked with 50 Community Legal Centres, Legal Aid Commissions and Aboriginal Legal Services. 

In terms of outcomes achieved, we prevented 93 people from becoming homeless, provided 1,588 hours of advice on elder abuse matters, recovered $1,845,195 in compensation for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, and recovered $857,759 for clients in respect of claims for wage theft, unfair dismissal, discrimination, and sexual harassment. All this work was done by 87% of lawyers and 90% of partners. 

We remain focused on our clients' needs; collaborate with the legal assistance sector and pro bono colleagues; and make pro bono work a part of each of our lawyers' everyday practice. Our graduates complete a minimum of 40 hours of pro bono work a year. 

Community

The law is what we do, but our community is part of who we are. 

We understand that we are part of the wider Australian community and legal profession, and we have set serious goals to assist us in addressing disadvantage and support access to justice in the communities in which we live and work. 

Partners and employees have direct involvement with charities across Australia by volunteering and fundraising through Community Connect. This has enabled us to participate in numerous activities, with our Community Partners, including climbing mountains with children with Cerebral Palsy, holding mock job interviews in schools and setting up mobile libraries for people living on the streets.  We have financially supported our charity partners through the Clayton Utz Foundation, distributing over $13.3 million since 2003. 

We are committed, through our Reconciliation Action Plan, to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People to create positive and lasting change, and to reducing inequality between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians in the areas of access to justice, education and access to support services. 

We promote Environmental Sustainability through initiatives that assist us to understand our impacts and incorporate sustainability into our decision-making. 

Recruitment Process

What we look for

The most important ingredient to our success is our people.

We're looking for people who are personable, practical, commercially-savvy, as well as flexible. Our lawyers undertake complex and innovative legal work, so it’s important that they are intelligent and motivated individuals who aren’t afraid of a challenge. We'll look at whether you have had a broad range of experiences, such as part-time employment, voluntary work, legal experience (voluntary or otherwise), or sporting, cultural or community pursuits. You need to show you have behavioural skills such as time management, initiative, goal setting and achievement, teamwork, an understanding of client service and self-motivation.

Most importantly, we are looking for people who we'd enjoy working alongside. We want people who are going to be a good cultural fit and who embody the firm's values, every day, in all that they do.

OUR PROGRAMS

CU Up Close

CU Up Close is a unique development opportunity for students in their pre-penultimate year of study.  The program offers an opportunity to develop your practical skills and knowledge, while exposing you to commercial law and potential career opportunities within Clayton Utz.

CU Up Close features three sessions:

  • Practice Group overview
  • Legal Research & Day in the Life of a Lawyer
  • Career Opportunities and behind the scenes with our graduates

Students should apply online via claytonutz.com/graduates. You are encouraged to upload a résumé to transfer general information into the application (so you only have to check it has transferred accurately and fill in any blanks), followed by attaching a copy of their academic transcript and answering a few questions (in lieu of a cover letter).

Clerkship Program

The clerkship program at Clayton Utz consists of a four- or eleven-week program over summer, autumn or winter depending on your location. Starting with a local orientation, our clerks are set up for success from Day 1 with support for research training, library training and IT training, just to name a few!

During the program, clerks have the opportunity to rotate through two different practice groups that are aligned with their interests. In addition, our clerks are involved in volunteering at one of our Community Connect program partners as well as networking at a range of different firm events.

Eligibility

The clerkship program is aimed at students who are in their penultimate year of university. If students are in their final year of study, they can still apply but will need to outline in their application why they couldn't complete a clerkship in their penultimate year.

International students may apply if they are able to work full time during the program and if they are able to apply for the correct visa entitlements to work unrestricted in Australia once they have graduated. Graduates need to independently attain the correct work visa.

Application Process

Application Process

Students must apply online via claytonutz.com/graduates and are encouraged to upload a résumé to transfer general information into the application (meaning they only have to check it has transferred accurately and fill in any blanks), followed by attaching a copy of their academic transcript and answering three questions (in lieu of a cover letter).

Following submission, students will receive a separate email with a link to complete online psychometric testing via pymetrics as well as an email to participate in a voluntary RARE recruitment survey. Students must complete the pymetrics testing for their application to be reviewed.

Graduate Program

Generally, all graduates will be recruited from our clerkship pool in a given year, however, on occasion we will have opportunities available to join directly into the graduate program. Please refer to our website for further information on when these opportunities are available, and how to apply.

Our national Graduate Program gives you the perfect foundation for your legal career. Our 2.5 week orientation program is designed to ensure that you'll hit the ground running. It consists of PLT+, local training and a national orientation week.

Our rotation program means you'll discover different areas and find the right fit for you and stay true to your direction. From day one you'll be working on complex and sophisticated legal issues, and with our innovative approach to learning and development, you'll get the support you need to become the best you can be.

Remuneration & Career Growth

From our national graduate curriculum to our leadership programs, we have a range of development programs and opportunities for every career stage to develop legal, business and personal skills that will be leading the market.

Your career development starts on Day 1 of your clerkship program through your orientation, and your journey continues through the graduate program and beyond. In addition to local and national orientation, you can expect to receive practice group intensive sessions during your graduate rotations and ongoing professional development courses throughout your career that expand your technical and leadership development.

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
3.8
Overall score based on 22 reviews
They Score Best in…
8.0
Culture
7.6
Management
7.5
Training
7.5
Diversity
8.0
Culture
7.6
Management
7.5
Training
7.5
Diversity
What Graduates Say About Them
  • Good people who make me look forward to coming into the office and a range of social, community, and development activities that help enrich our careers in a holistic manner Top tier without feeling like a cog in the machine, still surrounded by warm and friendly people - not a toxic work culture
  • The best thing about working at this company has been the positive relationships I have been able to develop and the supportive work environment I have been able to be a part of
  • Everyone is very genuine and very few people hide behind their titles. Most teams delegate work effectively to juniors and take time to get to know them and their strengths/weaknesses, and where there is room for improvement this is addressed constructively for the most part. I know that sounds like a low bar, but those very simple things are huge hurdles for grads/juniors at other firms. I think SLT and other members of upper management are very good at keeping staff in the loop about the firm
  • Balance of decent pay and work/life balance + culture
  • I like the quality of work and responsibility entrusted to me to deliver. The people make coming to work every day enjoyable
  • Perks could be better
  • I find that career progression is not really discussed
  • The Pay
  • There really is not a "worst thing". I have not experienced any negative feelings in my first year
  • Nothing is "bad" but maybe training sessions for most practice groups not be held in one day but rather sessions over a longer period of time

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
L
Law, Legal Studies & Justice
Current Jobs & Opportunities

Internship, Clerkship or Placement

Melbourne
No matter how good your law degree, there's always a gap between theory and practice.
Applications Close
13 Aug 2024
Start Date
20 Nov 2024 - 17 Jun 2025
Salary
AUD 60,000 / Year

Internship, Clerkship or Placement

Brisbane
No matter how good your law degree, there's always a gap between theory and practice.
Applications Close
11 Aug 2024
Start Date
19 Nov 2024 - 17 Jun 2025
Salary
AUD 60,000 / Year


Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories
CU people take their work seriously, but not themselves. This creates an excellent learning environment and enables you to be yourself at work. 

Bridgette Vanderwolf

  • Graduate stories
CU people take their work seriously, but not themselves. This creates an excellent learning environment and enables you to be yourself at work. 

Bridgette Vanderwolf

  • Graduate stories
Every day on the job is different and you're constantly being exposed to new things, which means that I'm given genuine and meaningful learning opportunities. 

Tae Kim

  • Graduate stories
Every day on the job is different and you're constantly being exposed to new things, which means that I'm given genuine and meaningful learning opportunities. 

Tae Kim

  • Graduate stories
CU people take their work seriously, but not themselves. This creates an excellent learning environment and enables you to be yourself at work. 

Bridgette Vanderwolf

  • Graduate stories
CU people take their work seriously, but not themselves. This creates an excellent learning environment and enables you to be yourself at work. 

Bridgette Vanderwolf

  • Graduate stories
Every day on the job is different and you're constantly being exposed to new things, which means that I'm given genuine and meaningful learning opportunities. 

Tae Kim

  • Graduate stories
Every day on the job is different and you're constantly being exposed to new things, which means that I'm given genuine and meaningful learning opportunities. 

Tae Kim


A Day In The Life Of


  • Day in the life

Somya Rajawat

I spend another hour on the research task before sending off a first draft of the memo for review. The timing works out well, as it is now time for a team meeting to discuss our upcoming retreat.
  • Day in the life

Somya Rajawat

I spend another hour on the research task before sending off a first draft of the memo for review. The timing works out well, as it is now time for a team meeting to discuss our upcoming retreat.
  • Day in the life

Sabina Prus-Wisniowski

My team specialises in aviation law so I frequently get to work on airport-related matters.
  • Day in the life

Sabina Prus-Wisniowski

My team specialises in aviation law so I frequently get to work on airport-related matters.
  • Day in the life

Somya Rajawat

I spend another hour on the research task before sending off a first draft of the memo for review. The timing works out well, as it is now time for a team meeting to discuss our upcoming retreat.
  • Day in the life

Somya Rajawat

I spend another hour on the research task before sending off a first draft of the memo for review. The timing works out well, as it is now time for a team meeting to discuss our upcoming retreat.
  • Day in the life

Sabina Prus-Wisniowski

My team specialises in aviation law so I frequently get to work on airport-related matters.
  • Day in the life

Sabina Prus-Wisniowski

My team specialises in aviation law so I frequently get to work on airport-related matters.

Videos


Momentum Diversity Lecture 2023

Explore the world and regulation of facial recognition technology with guest speakers Ed Santow and Chris Edwards

An Insiders Guide to the Clayton Utz Clerkship Program

Hear from our former clerks on what surprised them about the clerkship at Clayton Utz.

Momentum Diversity Lecture 2023

Explore the world and regulation of facial recognition technology with guest speakers Ed Santow and Chris Edwards

An Insiders Guide to the Clayton Utz Clerkship Program

Hear from our former clerks on what surprised them about the clerkship at Clayton Utz.

Advice


Clayton Utz Insider | Your Legal Podcast

Bridging the gap between legal studies and legal practice, the Clayton Utz Insider is your destination to learn about the latest trends in the legal market and delve into the fascinating work lawyers do. Hosted by Clayton Utz graduates, our conversations with lawyers across our practice areas nationally will give you an insight into Clayton Utz, our areas of practice and the meaningful work we do.

Tips to Upgrade a Good Interview to An Outstanding Interview

Danielle Sandys, Graduate Resourcing Consultant

Clayton Utz Insider | Your Legal Podcast

Bridging the gap between legal studies and legal practice, the Clayton Utz Insider is your destination to learn about the latest trends in the legal market and delve into the fascinating work lawyers do. Hosted by Clayton Utz graduates, our conversations with lawyers across our practice areas nationally will give you an insight into Clayton Utz, our areas of practice and the meaningful work we do.

Tips to Upgrade a Good Interview to An Outstanding Interview

Danielle Sandys, Graduate Resourcing Consultant