2021 Graduate Program

Why choose Sparke Helmore?

Sparke Helmore offers graduates a challenging and rewarding way to kick start their legal career.

Working at Sparke Helmore provides all employees with a unique range of opportunities to expand their knowledge, with access to:

• Market-leading expertise—we are a full service national law firm. This means you will have the opportunity to gain experience in each of our Insurance, Government, Workplace and Corporate & Commercial practice groups.
• Real legal work—from your first day, you will have the opportunity to get involved in legal work that contributes to the firm and its clients.
• Training and development—a combination of formal and on-the-job training that covers technical and soft skills.
• Mentoring and networking—we have a proud reputation for mentoring and facilitating relationship building across the firm in a way that fosters personal and career development, networking and the sharing of knowledge, experience and learning.
• Opportunities to give back—through our Pro Bono and Community Programs.

What do we look for in our graduates?

Our people are key to our success. We are always on the look-out for graduates with potential to progress, who fit with our culture and align with our values, and who demonstrate, among other things, intelligence, interpersonal skills, commitment, energy and commerciality.

Sparke Helmore graduates are:

• all-rounders, who are engaged in extra-curricular pursuits as well as their studies
• team players
• clear and concise writers, and 
• confident and articulate communicators.

What can you expect as a graduate at Sparke Helmore?

The first year of practising law can be daunting. Our graduates follow a program designed to guide you through the experience, providing you with comprehensive training and mentoring as well as networking opportunities.

The program includes specialised soft skill training to equip you with the tools and knowledge you need to become a capable and well-rounded practitioner. The training covers areas such as time management, business development and firm finances. You will also get to work on high quality, complex matters with leading legal practitioners from your first day.

Our graduates also have access to the firm's mentoring program, which pairs you with a senior lawyer in another practice group, to give you a broader understanding of the firm and its other practice areas.

Sydney—rotational program

Recruitment for our rotational program is run in conjunction with the Law Society of NSW timetable (between March and June of the year before commencement). The rotational program consists of two six-month rotations. 

Successful graduates will have the opportunity to:

• try different areas of law before specialising
• get real and meaningful experience working on matters
• learn valuable skills from different lawyers and practice groups
• develop and learn with manageable billing targets
• build networks and contacts, and
• receive mentoring and coaching from leading practitioners.

Key Dates

Monday, 13 July 2020 - Interviews for graduate positions commence.
Friday, 14 August 2020 - Offers for graduate positions can be made.
Friday, 21 August 2020 - Offers for graduate positions must be accepted or declined by 5.00 pm.