Our programs
Ahead starts here
Whether you've just started studying or you're about to graduate, we have a program to suit you.
No matter where you start your journey with us, you'll learn from the very best in the profession as you work alongside them on some of the most complex deals in the market, in a caring and supportive environment.
Virtual Internships
Our three virtual internship programs – Commercial Disputes, Introduction to Commercial Law and Commercial Transactions – are self-paced and offer students a unique and flexible opportunity to upskill and secure sought-after legal work experience. These programs will give you an insight into what a career is like at a commercial law firm like Allens. You'll be given real challenges that our graduates and lawyers are faced with every day. This will give you a better understanding of the type of work you'd be faced with and help you decide whether a career in commercial law is something you'd be interested in pursuing.
Completing these programs will take 5-6 hours. Our programs are free and open to all, but they are targeted at students finishing high school or studying law at university. You'll receive a completion certificate that you can add to your CV or LinkedIn to help you secure your dream job in the future.
Dive In
Dive In is an introductory program that gives you an opportunity to get a head start on developing some of the core skills and experiences that you will gain during a clerkship, internship or as a paralegal at Allens. You’ll get a glimpse into a career in commercial law at a top tier firm. You’ll also get insight into the type of work you can expect, details about our business and areas of practice, plus practical tips for preparing for work in the early stages of your career.
Applications are welcomed from pre-penultimate law students (i.e. second to third year undergraduate law students or first year Juris Doctor students)
Applications for our 2024 program are now closed.
First Nations Legal Internship
Our First Nations Legal Internship program is designed to give Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander law students exposure to a commercial law environment and the diverse range of practice areas we specialise in. You'll work alongside experienced lawyers and gain new insights and learning and development opportunities.
Applications are welcomed from law students who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
Applications are closed.
Paralegal
As a paralegal at Allens, you will gain everyday insights into the workings of a commercial law firm, and gain invaluable experience working across different practice areas and matter. You’ll support talented lawyers and be exposed to a range of complex matters. A paralegal position gives you a solid grounding to apply for a clerkship or graduate position with Allens. You will network with some of the best in the profession and be immersed in the industry while finishing your law degree.
Applications are welcomed from third year or penultimate year undergraduate law students (or second year Juris Doctor).
We typically recruit our paralegals throughout the year. This varies per office, please keep an eye out on our social media channels for updates of when and how to apply.
Brisbane
Application for our 2024/25 programs are now closed. We offer four-week clerkship programs in summer and winter to coincide with university holidays. You will work in one practice group, which will give you an insight into the type of work we do and the clients we work for.
Melbourne
Application for our 2024/25 programs are now closed. We offer two summer clerkships and one winter clerkship program each year, coinciding with university holidays. You will spend three weeks in one practice group, which will show you the type of work we do and the range of clients we work for.
Perth
Applications for our 2024/25 program are now closed. We offer two summer clerkships and one winter clerkship program each year, coinciding with university holidays. You will spend three weeks in one practice group, which will show you the type of work we do and the range of clients we work for.
Sydney
Applications for our 2024/25 program are now closed. We run one 10-week summer clerkship program over the December/January university holidays. You will complete two rotations in different practice groups.
Allens Graduate Program
Join our graduate program and embark on a journey of lifelong professional development.
As a Graduate at Allens, you’ll complete two 12‑month rotations in different practice areas. We don’t work in silos, so you won’t be limited to working with only one Partner or by your practice areas. There’s no substitute for the depth of insight that comes from working across different teams. You’ll work on complex transactions with leading organisations, alongside legal professionals and experts who are pioneering their respective professions. You’ll also have the opportunity to apply for a client or international secondment to London or Asia via our Linklaters alliance.
Most of our graduate positions are filled through our clerkship programs, but when we do have a need for additional graduates, we will recruit graduates directly. Applications are welcomed from final year undergraduates and recent graduates.
Our graduate program is run in each Australian office, starting in February for two years.
Unique technical training
During our graduate program, you’ll learn from some of the sharpest legal minds in Australia. We’ll work with you to build a strong foundation of skills and develop the agility needed to become an excellent lawyer and thrive in our ever‑changing world. You’ll engage with our Allens Academy, which means you'll benefit from a range of personalised tools and training to unlock your potential, including:
- The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice program
- Practical legal seminars during our Cornerstone program
- Online learning portal
- Personalised one week orientation program
- On‑the‑job training
- Ongoing supervision, coaching and mentoring
During your graduate program you’ll have the flexibility to drive your career with support from your performance coach. We encourage our graduates to pursue their interests so they can succeed with us and in their future endeavours.
Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice has been developed in partnership between Allens and the University of New South Wales. Alongside the other development opportunities we offer, the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice will help you transition from law student to practitioner.
The sixteen week program has been carefully tailored to align with Allens existing legal training, goals, processes and work practices. The program reinforces and builds on our internal learning outcomes for Allens graduates, helping you develop the practical skills required to be admitted as a legal practitioner, one of the most exciting milestones of your legal career. Furthermore, you'll be on track for admission mid-year.
Legal Transformation Graduate Program
Join our legal transformation graduate program and embark on a journey of lifelong professional development.
As a Legal Transformation Graduate at Allens, you’ll complete two six month rotations in different innovation and legal solutions teams. You’ll team up with subject matter experts, use cutting edge legal technology and work alongside Australia’s most talented lawyers. At the completion of the program you’ll be offered a role within one of our four participating legal transformation program teams.
Our graduate program is running in Melbourne and Sydney, starting in March.
Unique technical training
During our graduate program, you’ll learn from some of the sharpest minds in the legal industry in Australia. We’ll work with you to build a strong foundation of skills and develop the agility needed to become an excellent legal innovator and thrive in our ever‑changing world. You’ll engage with our Allens Academy, which means you'll benefit from a range of personalised tools and training to unlock your potential, including:
- Graduate Certificate in Legal Technology and Innovation
- Online learning portal
- Personalised two week orientation program
- On‑the‑job training
- Ongoing supervision, coaching and mentoring
During your graduate program you’ll have the flexibility to drive your career with support from your performance coach. We encourage our graduates to pursue their interests so they can succeed with us and in their future endeavours.
Graduate Certificate in Emerging Technology
The Graduate Certificate in Emerging Technology explores the capabilities and limitations of current emerging technologies and how they intersect with law and regulations. You will develop the critical thinking skills needed to assess and adopt new technologies to drive innovation in client services and work settings.
Legal transformation streams
- Innovation and change – The Innovation Centre works with practice streams to engage lawyers, embed innovation processes and skills and create sustained positive change.
- Legal product lab – The Lab works with legal teams to identify problems and then design, develop and implement digital solutions that create value for lawyers and clients.
- Legal project management – The LPM team works with legal teams to apply project management skills to matters, by delivering training to increase skills and developing tools that make matters more efficient and effective.
- Legal technology – The Legal Technology team sits within our Integrated Legal Solutions group and works with our legal teams to incorporate new developments in legal technology into our practice and find more efficient digital solutions, such as machine learning for litigation and regulatory matters and contract analysis for transactions.
Read more about Innovation and Digital Solutions teams on our Careers site.
Applications for the 2024 program are now closed.
FAQs
Applications are open to students from a range of disciplines including (but not limited to) Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science and Law. Legal studies are not essential. We are seeking applications from a broad academic spectrum and are specifically interested in candidates from a STEM background.
Applications for the 2024 program have now closed.
The 2024 program will commence, alongside our law graduate program, in March 2024.
Graduate roles will be offered in Melbourne or Sydney.
At the completion of the program successful graduates will be offered a permanent role in one of the participating teams. The position and team will be based on best fit and capacity needs.
Students will be embedded with legal, technology and innovation experts across the firm to develop skills and experience in this rapidly growing area of the legal profession. Through a blend of formal and on the job training, and with the support of a dedicated mentor and coach, students will have the opportunity to cultivate their professional skills while helping to transform the future of legal services.
Before you apply
Gather your documents
When you apply for any of our programs you will need to submit a copy of your resume, current academic transcript(s) and any supporting visa information if you hold a working visa. You may also be asked to provide a cover letter depending on the program you are applying for. We suggest gathering these before you begin your online application.
Prepare yourself for the next steps
After submitting your application, we'll get in touch to let you know the next steps. These will differ depending on the program you've applied for. If you've applied for a clerkship, you'll be prompted to complete an online diversity assessment (this is optional) as well as a strengths-based assessment (this is required). If you’re successful in progressing to the next stage, you’ll be invited to attend our Insider Access clerkship recruitment event, and attend an interview. For more information about our clerkship application process and tips from our team, please visit our Next Steps page
Select your location below to apply
First Nations Legal Internship
Applications are closed.
Dive In
Applications for our Dive In program are now closed.
Clerkship
Applications for the 2024/2025 program are now closed.
Program dates: Summer: November – December 2024; Winter: June – July 2025
Reconciliation Action Mentoring Program
Applications for this program are open year round.
Learn more
First Nations Legal Internship
Applications are closed.
Dive In
Applications for our Dive In program are now closed.
Clerkship
Applications for the 2024/2025 programs are now closed.
Program dates: Summer 1: November – December 2024; Summer 2: January – February 2025; Winter: June – July 2025
Legal Transformation Graduate Program
Applications are now closed.
First Nations Legal Internship
Applications are closed.
Dive In
Applications for our Dive In program are now closed.
Clerkship
Applications for the 2024/2025 program are now closed.
First Nations Legal Internship
Applications are closed.
Law Graduate Program
Applications are now closed.
Dive In
Applications for our Dive In program are now closed.
Clerkship
Applications for the 2024/2025 program are now closed.
Program dates: Summer: November 2024 – February 2025
Legal Transformation Graduate Program
Applications are now closed.