Grads@Gadens

Grads@Gadens is the program through which we attract and retain talent within the firm, recognising that our graduates are the future of the firm and the legal profession. Once on our program, you will immediately receive challenging and varied work with a high level of responsibility. Grads@Gadens is based on two, six-month rotations through different practice areas. Practice areas in the rotations include:

  • Banking and Finance
  • Corporate (including Tax Advisory)
  • Disputes and Investigations
  • Intellectual Property and Technology
  • Real Estate and Construction
  • Workplace Advisory and Disputes

Spending time in different practice areas means you have the opportunity to make an informed decision about your chosen specialisation. Together with our practical on-the-job training and working directly with partners you will develop a broad set of skills which you can carry with you throughout your career.

Training and development

Throughout the program we will invest in you and provide comprehensive support to ensure each rotation is a success. You will team-up with a dedicated mentor who will work closely with you to develop your technical skills, allocate work and provide ongoing feedback.

You will attend multiple workshops each month led by partners and senior members of staff so that you are continually learning and developing. These sessions focus on business skills and technical development, and ensure that you are given the support you need to excel in a commercially driven environment.

What we offer

Gadens is a leading, independent Australian law firm, with a clear vision and strategy for the future. We help people achieve their purpose in a complex world, by leading by example, inspiring others, innovating and building something we are all proud of.

We offer:

  • progressive and market-leading parental leave support including;
    • 30 weeks’ Paid Parental Leave
    • Superannuation contributions while on Parental Leave, for up to 52 weeks (based on 5 days/week, regardless of your working days)
    • An external coach to support our people through the various stages of the parental leave journey (Launch, Leave and Landing)
    • A supported and staggered return
    • Budget relief for fee earners upon landing/return
    • Support and paid leave for Surrogacy and IVF treatment
  • genuine flexibility with Your work. Your way. helping you achieve balance both personally and professionally and a ‘dress for your day’ approach;
  • a collaborative, open and welcoming environment, that encourages you to be your authentic self at work and promotes inclusion and diversity;
  • Learning@Gadens – our learning and development program provides you with the right learning opportunities to grow the skills, knowledge and behaviours that support your development at every stage of your career and inspires you to be the best you can be;
  • regular social events and functions to allow relaxed and fun interactions with your colleagues whilst providing a valuable opportunity to enhance those ever-important networks and business relationships;
  • health and wellbeing initiatives through our Wellbeing Committee, such as group sporting events, health seminars, yoga and with a focus on better health and fitness for both the body and mind; and
  • opportunities to make an impact on our communities through our Sustainability and Social Impact program which encompasses providing access to justice to those in need; respecting and connecting with First Nations people; acting in a sustainable manner and taking positions on matters of social significance.

This is what makes Gadens a great place to work.


Eligibility

The 2024 Grads@Gadens program is open to candidates who are PLT-qualified and will ideally be admitted before commencing with us in March 2024. If your admission date is within the first three months of the program, your application will still be considered.

Application dates for Grads@Gadens

Sydney

  • Applications open: Monday, 27 February 2023
  • Applications close: Sunday, 9 April 2023
  • First round interviews: Week commencing 15 May 2023
  • Second round interviews: Week commencing 22 May 2023
  • Offers: Wednesday, 7 June 2023

Melbourne

  • Applications open: Thursday, 10 August 2023
  • Applications close: Wednesday, 23 August 2023
  • First round interviews: Week commencing 4 September 2023
  • Second round interviews: Week commencing 11 September 2023
  • Offers: Wednesday, 4 October 2023

Application details

You will need to attach the following documents as part of your application:

  • Cover letter
  • Resume
  • Full academic transcript
  • Evidence that you will be admitted before the start date of the Grads@Gadens program or PLT qualified with admission within the first three months of the program

Applications without a full set of attachments will not be considered.

 

 

Clerks@Gadens

It is an exciting time to join Gadens. In 2023, we are introducing clerkships to our Melbourne and Sydney offices. Clerks will have the opportunity to get to know our people, our clients and our practice teams during the program, participating in a range of work and activities designed to give you insights into private practice in your preferred area of the law. A dedicated Mentor and Buddy will guide and support you during your rotations, whilst gaining practical experience through working directly with Partners and experienced Lawyers, who are leaders in their field. You will also learn more about our firm, culture and how we support the wider community. We will recruit Graduates for 2025 from Clerks who have participated in our clerkship programs in 2023/2024.

Application dates for Clerks@Gadens

Sydney

Gadens are signatories to The Law Society of New South Wales Clerkship Guidelines. Applications open and close on 5 June 2023 and 9 July 2023, respectively, with offers being made on 13 September 2023. We will be accepting applications from students in their penultimate year of the JD or LLB.

In Sydney, clerkships take place across one intake, between November 2023 and February 2024.

 

Melbourne

Gadens are signatories to the LIV Seasonal Clerkship Guidelines. Applications open and close on 3 July 2023 and 13 August 2023, respectively, with offers being made on 18 October 2023. We will be accepting applications from students in their penultimate or final year of the JD or LLB.

In Melbourne, clerkships take place across three intakes, each four weeks in duration, in the university holiday periods in November 2023, January 2024 and June 2024.

Application details

You can apply for clerkships directly through our website and will be required to upload your CV, cover letter, and academic transcript, as well as responses to some short questions. You will not be required to complete any psychometric testing as part of our recruitment process. Successful clerks will be invited to attend a networking and information evening in our office prior to interview, to learn more about Gadens and meet our people. Interviews will be held in-person in our offices with a Partner and member of the People and Development team. We look forward to receiving your application.

For any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact our Early Careers Partner, Jessica Parker, or email: earlycareers@gadens.com.