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Seasonal Clerkships
Each year Hall & Wilcox runs two seasonal clerkship programs – winter and summer. Through our seasonal clerkship program we provide students with the opportunity to experience life at Hall & Wilcox, as well as providing us with the opportunity to get to know the students. Our clerkships are of 3 weeks duration, offering approximately 16 students annually the opportunity to gain experience in one of Melbourne’s fastest growing law firms.
Our Seasonal Clerkship Program
Our seasonal clerkship program provides students with a realistic insight into life at Hall & Wilcox. On commencement, students participate in an induction program which provides an understanding of the structure of the firm, the work we do, our clients, and basic training in office systems and procedures. All aspects of the induction enable the student to successfully complete their clerkship at the firm. Following the induction students are placed into one of our practice areas (taking into account their preferences). Within the practice area, students will be allocated a mentor and buddy for guidance and support throughout their time with firm.
Some examples of work that students may undertake during their clerkship include observing lawyers in meetings, conferences, mediations or at court, research tasks and drafting correspondence and documents. At Hall & Wilcox, we are committed to continuous learning and development. Throughout the clerkship students are provided with the opportunity to attend firm and practice area professional development sessions, as well as participate in training sessions for seasonal clerks. We regard our seasonal clerkship program as an invaluable experience for students wanting to experience life as a lawyer at Hall & Wilcox.
Hall & Wilcox is a signatory to the LIV guidelines for Seasonal Clerkships.
If you have any queries in relation to our seasonal clerkship program please contact Miranda Cawse, Human Resources Advisor on (03) 9603 3418. Hall & Wilcox will be accepting applications via cvMail: www.cvmail.com.au
Traineeships (formerly Articled Clerks)
Hall & Wilcox is committed to the Traineeship Program because it recognises that today’s Trainees are tomorrow’s leaders of the firm. We invest considerable time into our recruitment process to ensure that we recruit the right people for the firm. Over the years, it has been proven that our Traineeship program is highly successful, with approximately 50% of our partners having completed their Traineeship (Articles) with the firm.
As part of the Traineeship program, Trainees undertake an extensive induction program which provides an understanding of the firm structure, the broad range of work we do, our clients, and training in relation to the operations of the firm. Trainees complete five rotations of 10 weeks duration, and are given the opportunity to gain experience in most of the firm’s practice areas. The benefit of our rotational system is that by the end of the Traineeship, Trainees can make an informed decision about which practice area they might like to practise.
Trainees are allocated a ‘buddy’ to assist them in their transition from university to full-time employment. Within each rotation, Trainees are also allocated a mentor and this provides a genuine opportunity to work alongside and benefit from the experience of senior lawyers. Trainees are given the opportunity to work with people across the firm at all levels, and this provides them with a solid foundation for their legal career.
In addition to on-the-job learning, Trainees will benefit from weekly lunchtime training sessions which provide an opportunity to meet senior lawyers of the firm and hear about their area of law and how they progressed to a senior role within the firm. Trainees are also provided with the opportunity to attend various Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions to further enhance their skills. These personal and professional development initiatives are designed to help Trainees progress quickly and make a smooth transition into their legal career.
As part of a Trainee’s development it is essential to receive regular and ongoing feedback and at Hall & Wilcox, Trainees receive ongoing feedback as well as formal feedback at the end of each rotation.
Hall & Wilcox is a signatory to the LIV guidelines for Traineeships.
If you have any queries in relation to our traineeship program please contact Miranda Cawse, Human Resources Advisor on (03) 9603 3418.
Applications open on Monday, 1 December 2008 and close at 5pm on Friday, 16 January 2009.
Legal Professionals
We currently have 25 partners in addition to employing approximately 90 lawyers and expect to increase this number as the firm continues to grow. We recognise that our people are our greatest asset and we pride ourselves on ensuring we retain and develop the very best.
If you have experience in any of our practice areas and are motivated, determined, talented and looking to further your legal career in a professional and supportive environment, please contact us.
There are many roles for non-legal professionals within Hall & Wilcox across a range of areas such as:
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
- Accounts/ Finance
- Knowledge Management/ Library
- Catering
- Business Development & Communications
- Word Processing
- Administration
Support Roles – Entry Level
Hall & Wilcox has an extensive history of employing graduates of the Advanced Diploma of Business (Legal Practice) and similar courses. We also take students each year for the two week practical placement – these placements are usually organised through the Course Co-ordinator.
We are always open to hearing from students who are looking to join Hall & Wilcox following their studies. We are also open to hearing from students who may want to commence working full time (whilst continuing their studies on a part-time basis in the evenings).
We are looking for candidates who are interested in a long term career in a law firm and who are team players, pro-active, able to prioritise, possess good verbal and written communication skills, flexible and easy going. Candidates will ideally be able to touch type – minimum 40wpm.
The entry level roles available at Hall & Wilcox are “Service Clerk” roles. The role of a Service Clerk is to provide a high level of customer service and support to partners and staff within the firm. Our Service Clerks work in a team environment and are based in the firm’s centralised mail & copy room. A typical day as a Service Clerk will involve opening, sorting and distributing inward mail, receiving and distributing incoming faxes, photocopying, sending faxes, housekeeping, hand deliveries in the CBD, court rounds processing outgoing mail and relief reception. The Service Clerk role provides an excellent basis for understanding the day to day operations of the firm. Our Service Clerks are expected to work hard but have some fun at the same time!
We provide an excellent career path for our service clerks with opportunities to move into a role as a legal assistant following an initial period in the mailroom. Legal Assistant roles are based in our practice areas providing administrative and legal support directly to lawyers and partners. The amount of time spent in the Service Clerk role prior to promotion varies however is typically approximately 3 – 12 months. There are opportunities for Service Clerks to progress into all areas of the firm.
Culture & Working Environment
Hall & Wilcox is recognised as a great place to work. We are proud of our culture and working environment and we continue to focus on improving the way we do things. With 200 employees, including 25 partners, staff turnover continues to be well below the industry average. The key reasons the firm continues to attract and retain high quality lawyers is due to the work we do, the clients we have and the positive environment and atmosphere of the firm. According to staff, Hall & Wilcox is “a fantastic firm to work in” which provides “opportunity for development” and “access to good work”.
Our working environment is very professional and our people are expected to maintain high standards to ensure our reputation is preserved and enhanced. Our focus on teamwork ensures clients only receive the best possible service. The firm also offers a ‘family atmosphere’ and embraces genuine respect amongst our people.
While staff are expected to work hard, we also encourage social interaction amongst our people. Our active social committee organises a variety of functions throughout the year, giving staff an opportunity to interact with colleagues outside the office. We also provide opportunities to become involved in sporting events such as the LIV Legal Fun Run/Walk BRW Triathlon, Corporate Games, amongst others.
We are committed to providing continuous learning and development for our staff. By developing our people, we are developing experts in the wider fields of law and business.
Learning and development may take many different forms, such as attendance at ad hoc technical seminars and workshops, post-graduate courses and regular in-house training. Partners and staff are encouraged to share their knowledge by regularly presenting on new developments in their area or cases of interest. We demonstrate our support by providing financial support and study leave for approved courses.
An individual's learning and development needs are discussed formally in their bi-annual review sessions. Staff are encouraged to take responsibility for their development and to identify and discuss training requirements during reviews. We have an established mentoring program for our senior associates. The program aims to assist with their personal and professional development and to instil commitment to the firm and its culture. All partners are actively involved in the program displaying their commitment by helping participants achieve their goals.
From time to time, clients may request the secondment of a lawyer. Secondments provide excellent learning opportunities for lawyers and help further develop and enhance our service offering and our relationships with clients.
Contact us
For a confidential discussion or for further information about working at Hall & Wilcox, please contact Miranda Cawse, Human Resources Advisor on (03) 9603 3418, or alternatively please forward your application to: hr@hallandwilcox.com.au.
All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
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