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Hall & Wilcox

4.6
  • 1,000 - 50,000 employees

Hall & Wilcox Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Law

Hall & Wilcox is a leading independent Australian law firm.  We are a firm of over 1000 people, including more than 130 partners, delivering outstanding legal services to corporate, public sector and private clients, both Australian-based and those offshore doing business in Australia.

We were recently named winner of the Law Firm of the Year (101-500 Lawyers) award and joint winner of the Diversity Initiative of the Year award at the Australasian Law Awards 2022.  We were granted the Employer of Choice Gender Equality citation from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) for 2021-2023.

Hall & Wilcox offers expertise in a number of key areas of commercial practice, including:

  • Banking and Financial Services
  • Commercial Dispute Resolution
  • Corporate and Commercial
  • Employment
  • Health and Community
  • Insurance (General and Statutory)
  • Private Clients
  • Property and Projects
  • Public Sector
  • Tax
  • Technology and digital economy
  • Pro Bono

Smarter Law

We are committed to Smarter Law. In simple terms that are delivering legal services better, faster and cheaper to our clients. Innovation is central to that. We define innovation as "change that adds value." The keyword is change. We are action-oriented. Innovation is ingrained into one of our core values #evolvealways. We support innovation in the following ways:

  • Our performance management system has Smarter Law and innovation as key performance criteria and we recognise achievements in this area across the firm
  • We have a dedicated innovation team (our Client Solutions team) who support and enable innovation in the firm. The Client Solutions team assist our people with design thinking. We use a wide range of modern legal tech tools to enable us to be more efficient and implement new legal services for our clients
  • We train up our lawyers with business improvement methodologies, legal tech skills training, hackathons, workshops and other competitions to foster ideas across the firm.
  • We run our matters and innovation projects with multi-disciplinary teams. Legal and other professionals working together to develop better solutions. We involve our clients in this process so they can co-create the future with us

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion are vital components of our practice of Smarter Law and our ambition to be a pre-eminent law firm. In addition to being the right thing to do, there are many business benefits which include the attraction, retention and engagement of the best possible talent; building stronger relationships with clients; and improved decision making, problem-solving and innovation through diverse teams and diversity of thinking.

We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects our community and our clients. We understand that workplace diversity involves recognising and celebrating the characteristics that make each individual different. Equally, we understand that workplace inclusion requires strategies to create a workplace environment in which both individuals and groups feel welcome, respected and valued, by incorporating different ways of thinking, interacting and approaching business strategies to ensure that all individuals are valued and are able to meaningfully contribute to the firm and their own careers.

Leveraging the diversity offered by our people to deliver Smarter Law to our clients is critical and supports us to being recognised externally as a firm that exemplifies diversity in its day-to-day practice.

Culture & Flexible working

One way we live our culture is through our Hallmarks. Our Hallmarks are how we articulate the behaviours consistent with our culture.

Our inclusive culture enables us to recognise and celebrate the characteristics that make each individual different and create a workplace environment in which both individuals and groups feel welcome, respected and valued. Our commitment is reflected in our WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation, participation in CareerTrackers for Indigenous Internships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, recruitment opportunities for people living with disabilities and participation in LGBTIQ+ Interfirm Networks.

At Hall & Wilcox, we support flexible and agile working to assist our people to balance their professional, personal and family life, health and wellbeing.

‘HW Evolve’ is a hybrid workplace where our people are encouraged and empowered to work flexibly both remotely and in the office. HW Evolve provides our people with the opportunity to experience the benefits of remote working balanced with the great benefits of being in the office
including opportunities to connect, collaborate, learn and have fun.

Pro bono & Community

We’re committed to giving back to our communities by doing work for the public good. Our pro bono practice embraces our ethical responsibility as a firm to help those in need and enriches the personal and professional lives of the Hall & Wilcox lawyers who get involved.

We are proud of our pro bono practice and our engagement with not-for-profit community groups, individuals and charities. We recognise and embrace the community responsibilities that come with being a successful, respected firm and a representative of the legal profession. For our people, the firm’s pro bono and community involvement is personally and professionally enriching.

We run a coordinated pro bono & community practice that comprises employees from all areas of the firm. We encourage and give credit for pro bono work to everyone at the firm. As part of our graduate program, our Law Graduates can choose to rotate through our Pro Bono practice, which includes a one day per week secondment to a community legal centre.

We have fostered close, ongoing relationships with several inspirational community organisations, to which we provide pro bono legal services. Some of these include:

  • Public Interest Advocacy Centre
  • Justice Connect
  • Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS)
  • Human Rights Law Centre

Graduate program

Our program is a priority for us because we recognise that today’s law graduates are tomorrow’s leaders of the firm. Over the years, the program has proven to be highly successful – many of our current partners completed their graduate year with us.

As a Law Graduate, you will be a part of a 12-month program that includes three, four-month rotations. During your graduate year you will experience:

  • A combination of on-the-job training and support in completing Practical Legal Training.
  • A comprehensive induction with the national graduate cohort lays the foundation for the year ahead.
  • The opportunity to gain experience in several of the firm’s practice areas.
  • An extensive support network including a buddy, a mentor and supervising partner to provide guidance and support throughout the year.
  • Regular learning opportunities through our Elevate program, designed to develop our graduates and provide them with the skills and expertise to excel.
  • Opportunities to participate in Pro Bono, Industry group and Smarter Law initiatives
  • Ongoing feedback, both formal and informal.
  • The opportunity to immerse yourself in our great culture and have fun!

Recruitment Process

We review applications in a way that seeks to eliminate ‘unconscious bias’. To do this, we do not look at candidate names, addresses, gender or secondary school information when we review graduate and seasonal clerkship applications.

Why? Everybody has inherent biases and this means that, at times, people are not as open-minded to difference as we’d like. We want to eliminate any unconscious or hidden bias in the shortlisting process.

Remuneration & Career Growth

Hybrid working; WFH and from modern, open plan offices. We provide WFH IT equipment plus reimbursement of up to $500 for additional equipment.

We offer three, four-month rotations giving our graduates the opportunity to experience a variety of practice areas.

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
4.6
Overall score based on 34 reviews
They Score Best in…
9.4
Culture
9.0
Diversity
9.1
Recruitment
9.4
Culture
9.0
Diversity
9.1
Recruitment
What Graduates Say About Them
  • The culture. The most down to earth workplace I have ever worked in. Everyone is so genuine. There is no significant hierarchy of positions as there are at other law firms. You can talk to partners as peers. As a graduate, everyone is so eager for you to make the most out of your experience rotating in each team. You end up getting a real variety of work from different people.
  • Fantastic culture of respect and inclusion, very progressive, feels like an excellent place to be as a junior.
  • Everything about working at Hall & Wilcox makes the blood, sweat and tears during law school worth it! The firm's clients are top tier, the culture is great and everyone is supportive and welcoming. There is a plethora of training and professional development opportunities and you really feel that people have your best interests at heart.
  • Hall & Wilcox is not stuck in the past and is a flexible, tech savvy company with a great culture. We can work remotely, learning is facilitated through regular educational seminars and many of the sections have workflows which are assisted with intuitive and useful software. This has made my experience of plugging myself into a new team seamless. Also, their early careers education is amazing. I have been assigned a mentor who takes significant time to review my work, offer detailed feedback and encourage me to participate in firm activities. The culture is a highlight, we are treated with respect, and encouraged to be genuine with one another. People here want to work as a team and share resources.
  • The best aspect about working at my law firm is the great people that I work alongside everyday. My team leaders are very experienced lawyers who delegate a broad range of interesting tasks to me and genuinely care about my growth as a young professional in the legal industry. I am always given helpful feedback for improvement and the overall team environment has been very inviting and welcoming since I joined the firm. Overall, the firm has a very collaborative culture which is conducive to a positive and motivating work environment.
  • Hot desking - sometimes there's more people than seats in sections of the office.
  • Adjusting to billing. It is part of the job but it does take some getting used to.
  • Billable targets, but it is a corporate law firm and their targets are reasonable.
  • The firm is a national firm, so those looking to work in overseas offices may find this a downside.
  • The hybrid nature of our workplace means that there is less attendance at firm events, and this is something I feel could be improved! However, having the opportunity to work in a hybrid office is really great for being able to manage and maintain a positive work-life balance.

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • South Australia,Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle, Perth, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide and Darwin.
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
L
Law, Legal Studies & Justice
Current Jobs & Opportunities

Internship, Clerkship or Placement

New South Wales, North Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia
Our First Nations Pathway Program provides First Nations law students with a realistic insight into life at Hall & Wilcox.
Applications Close
30 Apr 2024
Start Date
24 Jun 2024 - 15 Dec 2024
Salary
AUD 70,000 - 80,000 / Year

Graduate Job

Sydney
We offer a program that lets you work with great people at all levels of the firm and do real work for real clients.
Applications Close
7 Apr 2024
Start Date
19 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025
Salary
AUD 90,000 - 100,000 / Year


Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories
Be open to new experiences and take advantage of work experience opportunities that interest you and not just what you are ‘expected’ to do in your career path.

Max Ding

  • Graduate stories
Be open to new experiences and take advantage of work experience opportunities that interest you and not just what you are ‘expected’ to do in your career path.

Max Ding

  • Graduate stories
I am busy doing real, practical tasks to help resolve damages and injury disputes.

Liam Hart

  • Graduate stories
I am busy doing real, practical tasks to help resolve damages and injury disputes.

Liam Hart

  • Graduate stories
Be open to new experiences and take advantage of work experience opportunities that interest you and not just what you are ‘expected’ to do in your career path.

Max Ding

  • Graduate stories
Be open to new experiences and take advantage of work experience opportunities that interest you and not just what you are ‘expected’ to do in your career path.

Max Ding

  • Graduate stories
I am busy doing real, practical tasks to help resolve damages and injury disputes.

Liam Hart

  • Graduate stories
I am busy doing real, practical tasks to help resolve damages and injury disputes.

Liam Hart


A Day In The Life Of


  • Day in the life

Brittany Forsyth

Hall & Wilcox has a hybrid-working policy and the team is often in and out of the office at different times, so it is a great chance to connect with everyone!
  • Day in the life

Brittany Forsyth

Hall & Wilcox has a hybrid-working policy and the team is often in and out of the office at different times, so it is a great chance to connect with everyone!
  • Day in the life

Andrew Banks

Andrew Banks studied a Bachelor of Arts with a Bachelor of Laws at Macquarie University and is now working as a Lawyer - Pro Bono & Community at Hall & Wilcox.
  • Day in the life

Andrew Banks

Andrew Banks studied a Bachelor of Arts with a Bachelor of Laws at Macquarie University and is now working as a Lawyer - Pro Bono & Community at Hall & Wilcox.
  • Day in the life

Brittany Forsyth

Hall & Wilcox has a hybrid-working policy and the team is often in and out of the office at different times, so it is a great chance to connect with everyone!
  • Day in the life

Brittany Forsyth

Hall & Wilcox has a hybrid-working policy and the team is often in and out of the office at different times, so it is a great chance to connect with everyone!
  • Day in the life

Andrew Banks

Andrew Banks studied a Bachelor of Arts with a Bachelor of Laws at Macquarie University and is now working as a Lawyer - Pro Bono & Community at Hall & Wilcox.
  • Day in the life

Andrew Banks

Andrew Banks studied a Bachelor of Arts with a Bachelor of Laws at Macquarie University and is now working as a Lawyer - Pro Bono & Community at Hall & Wilcox.

Advice


A COVID-19 Graduate year in review by Hall & Wilcox

We dubbed ourselves ‘Cograd-19’. There were 14 of us Victorian grads who would meet via Zoom twice a week to catch up, offer support, have a laugh and check in.

A COVID-19 Graduate year in review by Hall & Wilcox

We dubbed ourselves ‘Cograd-19’. There were 14 of us Victorian grads who would meet via Zoom twice a week to catch up, offer support, have a laugh and check in.