Summer Clerkship Program

Summer Clerkship Program

Are you interested in a career working with people whose legal approach is passionate, progressive and unique among Australian law firms? Would you like to be part of a culture that values creativity, diversity, accountability and technical excellence?

Our Clerkship Program is designed to provide you with these insights, professional development training and hands-on experience, allowing you to explore areas of law that interest you the most.

As part of our Program you will:

  • spend time in (up to four) practice areas including insurance law, health law, property and public liability and corporate and commercial law
  • be exposed to real matters – this may include observing lawyers in client meetings, attending court, drafting correspondence and attending networking events
  • have direct access to and be mentored by Principals and senior team members who will provide  you with ongoing feedback
  • be paired with a ‘buddy’ (a previous summer clerk)
  • work with a dynamic, open and collaborative team
  • have access to ongoing professional development training, flexible work arrangements and a range of benefits that reward excellence in a supportive environment
  • have the opportunity to attend a variety of social and networking events hosted by Meridian.

Eligibility and Application Process

To be eligible you must be in your penultimate year studying a law degree at university.

The information you provide on the application form will allow us to obtain an overview of your work experience, skills, academics and overall suitability for our Program. This is a standard part of Meridian’s recruitment process.

If you meet our prerequisite, we will conduct a number of interviews which may include a phone interview and face-to-face interview with HR, a Principal and senior team member.

Successful candidates will be notified by HR, in-line with the dates below.

Key dates

Melbourne

Our two Summer Clerkships will take place over two two-week periods in our Melbourne office between December 2020 and February 2021.

Recruitment dates are in line with the Law Institute of Victoria:

Date Activity
Monday 6 July 2020 Applications for clerks will open via our website
Tuesday 25 August 2020 Webex Q&A Session
Monday 31 August 2020 Applications will close at midnight
Mid-September 2020 Interviews will commence
From Wednesday 28 October 2020 Offers will be made

 

For any queries about our Clerkship Program please email HR@meridianlawyers.com.au

 

Insights from our Clerks

We asked some of our summer clerks about their experiences of our Program. Here’s what they said:

‘My clerkship at Meridian Lawyers has been three fantastic weeks of direct exposure to the intricacies of health and insurance law. I have had the opportunity to be exposed to unique and interesting matters that challenge me to think both practically and innovatively… Another thing that is important to me, and unique to my experience at Meridian as a person with a disability is the way in which I was seamlessly accommodated at Meridian. Not only were my accessibility needs met, but I was never made to feel like this was an issue for anyone, and every member of the team was keen to learn how to best support me.’

Abbey Dalton | Summer Clerk | February 2020

 

‘My three weeks at Meridian during the Summer Clerkship Program have been an exciting and challenging learning experience. The Principals at Meridian are all incredibly approachable and were genuinely interested in my learning and development. Not only have I been given plenty of opportunities to showcase my legal skills through real client work, I have also attended a variety of mediations, disciplinary hearings and informal conferences.’

Lucy Merrett | Summer Clerk | December 2019

 

‘I am very grateful for the autonomy I was given during my clerkship, and the opportunities provided to problem solve on my own… I knew that assistance was always available from all members of the team if I needed it. I felt that I really got the ‘real’ experience of working in a firm from the work and tasks provided to me, especially actual client contact and legally analysing a situation.’

Bevan Wang | Summer Clerk | 2019

 

‘My summer clerkship at Meridian Lawyers was four huge weeks of learning by seeing and doing real and interesting work, while I was guided by a lovely team of supportive people. During the clerkship, I was welcomed and treated like any member of the Meridian team – I was given real work, made a part of every conversation relating to files I worked on, and invited to social events.’

Aeeman Ayobi | Summer Clerk | December 2018

 

‘I am incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to clerk at Meridian and experience first-hand what a positive, professional and friendly firm it is. The mentoring I received and the diverse range of legal work that I undertook has prepared me to take the leap from law student to graduate lawyer. I would highly recommend a clerkship at Meridian to anyone who is looking to be challenged and engaged while at the same time having a lot of fun as part of a team of welcoming and inspiring lawyers.’

Anna McBean | Summer Clerk | November 2018