Through our values and the way in which we work, collaboratively, by thinking differently and being passionate about the quality of we work deliver for our clients and internally for each other.
Our passion is to be the most progressive law firm and the way in which we go about achieving this through Ashurst Advance.
Ashurst Advance is our NewLaw division which meets our clients demand for innovative and cost-effective legal service delivery. We combine alternative resourcing, process and project management professionals and industry-leading technology with Ashurst's legal subject matter experts in an integrated quality assurance package to provide our clients with legal excellence with efficient delivery.
Through a blended approach to learning, you will know what we expect from you from day one. Our training programmes are designed to support you on your journey, allowing you the opportunity to take responsibility and produce the quality work our clients expect. We focus on teaching essential aspects of key areas in which the firm practices, to ensure you have a holistic view of the legal markets in which we work, and the application of the law in practice. Our well-established Graduate Programme supports you to become our leaders and trusted advisers of tomorrow, developing the kind of expertise that sets you apart and encourages you to think differently.
We help you work towards becoming an outstanding and community-minded lawyer. One who supports their community and is respected by their community.
We recognise that lawyers have a moral obligation and a professional responsibility to provide legal services to those who would otherwise be without them. At Ashurst, we actively support you to give and develop your legal skill through our pro bono practice.
You quickly get involved, supporting communities experiencing marginalisation and disadvantage and the organisations that have taken up their cause. Our global pro bono practice has a number of priority areas including Citizenship & Global Displacement; Climate Crises & Resilience; Death Row & the Criminal Justice System; Financial Inclusion & Social Finance; First Nations Peoples; Gender Rights; LGBTI+ Rights; Modern Slavery; and Rural, Regional & Remote Australians.
When applying for a clerkship at Ashurst, you will be asked for a cover letter, your CV and an academic transcript. You will also be required to complete a short answer question and psychometric testing. Depending on the office you are joining there are either one or two rounds of interviews that we would endeavour to conduct in-person, however, we have the capability to adapt and conduct online should the need arise. You will also be invited to attend some clerkship information events during the interview process.
There's absolutely no Ashurst "type". We want to actively involve a broad range of minds with a broad range of backgrounds, all united by a common set of strengths. These strengths include a passion for Ashurst and commercial law. Outstanding communication skills, analytical ability, commercial awareness, teamwork and resilience.
Some tips for the process:
A clerkship gives you a good understanding of what it's like to work at Ashurst, experience our culture and the type of work we do.
In one or two departments – depending on the office you're in, you work on real cases and transactions. A partner supports and mentors you, and you work closely with a qualified lawyer and a buddy.
There are structured training programmes to develop your legal and business skills, and you have the opportunity to take part in the team's social events.
In addition to gaining valuable experience, a clerkship also presents an opportunity to join our graduate programme. We offer most of the graduate roles to people who have completed a clerkship in one of our offices.
The Graduate Programme is a 12-month programme starts with a national induction.
It's followed by an introduction into the office where you're based and an in-house Practical Legal Training (PLT) course, customised with modules specifically chosen for you. We cover the course fees.
With you, we plan three rotations and review these regularly throughout your programme. This gives you a solid foundation in legal expertise and problem-solving techniques.
Once you've completed your PLT, you're admitted as a lawyer. As the end of your programme approaches, we work with you to decide which practice you join. The choice depends on our business needs, your preferences and your job performance.
Remuneration reviews happen regularly at Ashurst and all staff are remunerated commensurate with market rates.