Summer Clerkship Program (Nov 2023)

If you aspire to be an outstanding lawyer, your journey to a world-class commercial legal career begins here. Start with Australia's first global law firm and set yourself on the path to excellence. Kick start your career with our world-class clerkship program. Build your technical and legal expertise through our graduate program. Receive outstanding work and mentoring to become an expert in your field, as an associate.

Date of Clerkship

• 27 November 2023 - 9 February 2024

What to expect

At Baker McKenzie, we understand that the transition from university to legal practice can be challenging. We provide our summer clerks with a comprehensive induction program, with legal, technical, and soft-skills training sessions, to help make this transition as smooth as possible. Our training program is designed to help you get the most out of your clerkship and set yourself up for success. 

We consult with our clerks before they commence to understand the areas of practice in which they are interested in gaining experience. We structure our summer clerks' rotations according to these preferences, where possible. 

In Sydney, our key practice groups are:

• Banking & Finance;
• Corporate (including Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, and Capital Markets);
• Commercial Real Estate;
• Construction;
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation;
• Employment & Industrial Relations;
• Energy Resources Infrastructure & Corporate;
• Environmental Markets;
• Intellectual Property;
• Media;
• Tax; and
• Technology Communications & Commercial.

Most importantly, as a summer clerk, we want you to experience what life is like as a graduate and junior lawyer at Baker McKenzie. So, right from the start, our summer clerks get involved in real work. You will be exposed to our Australian and international clients through client meetings, shadowing, research, and other everyday activities within your assigned practice group. You will also have the opportunity to participate in pro bono files and community service initiatives. 

Our summer clerks work closely with our lawyers, are guided by a supervising partner, and enjoy the extra support of an experienced associate “buddy”. With the Firm's strong focus on supporting its people to learn, grow and achieve better results, you can expect to be well-led, well-coached, and well-mentored. 

You will develop practical and legal skills through our dedicated clerkship program and by attending Firm-wide/practice group sessions. Throughout the clerkship, our partners and associates run professional development sessions. These sessions will give you the chance to (amongst other things):

• build your network within the Firm;
• develop your legal and commercial skills;
• learn about our practices, clients, and Firm structure;
• learn about our Pro Bono program, Community Service initiatives, and Inclusion & Diversity areas; and
• hear about our global training and work opportunities.

We will also provide you with opportunities to network with colleagues around the Firm – through our 'speed networking' program and various social events with your buddy, our partners, and our lawyers.

The majority of our graduate positions are offered to former summer clerks. We also offer our former summer clerks the opportunity to undertake paralegal roles with the Firm. Should you accept a graduate position with us, you will also be eligible to apply for our unique international clerkship program and have the opportunity to work for four weeks in one of our overseas offices.

Application process

IIn Sydney, summer clerkships commence in late 2023 and conclude in February 2024. Each clerk will undertake two rotations. All applications should be addressed to Apolonia Mendel, Talent Management Consultant, and should include a cover letter, as well as details of your work experience, extra-curricular activities, interests and academic results. We do not require you to upload your CV, as the information from your CV is used to respond to the areas above. We also ask you to complete a series of questions, particularly as our firm does not use psychometric or  aptitude assessments.

To be eligible for a 2023/2024 summer clerkship position with Baker McKenzie, you must be a citizen or permanent resident of Australia or have the right to work in a full-time role in Australia from November 2023 - February 2024. You must also be enrolled in a law degree or equivalent which will qualify you for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. At Baker McKenzie, our Summer Clerkship Program is primarily aimed at students in the penultimate year of their law degree. However, final year applicants may also be considered. Graduate offers will be made after the summer clerkship period to those who meet our performance criteria, for commencement in 2025 and 2026 only. 

Applications will open at 9.00 am on Monday, 5 June 2023 and close at 11.59 pm on Sunday, 2 July 2023. Offers for the Summer Clerkship Program will be made from 9.00 am on Wednesday, 13 September 2023 and must be accepted or declined by 5.00 pm on Thursday, 14 September 2023. Candidates will attend two interviews and will also be invited to a Panel & Information Evening which will be attended by Partners and Associates.

For more information on our Sydney summer clerkship recruitment process or program, please contact Apolonia Mendel, Talent Management Consultant at Apolonia.Mendel@bakermckenzie.com.

What do we look for in our clerks?

Baker McKenzie looks for people who genuinely want to work with us and who understand Baker McKenzie's unique offering and position in the market. 

We look for well-rounded, motivated individuals who have a performance mindset and strive to be the best in whatever they do; who are intellectually curious and have sound academics; who display business acumen and are practical in their approach; and who have a global mindset and are passionately committed to service excellence. We look for people who enjoy a challenge and seek new opportunities; who constantly look for ways to achieve better results while learning and growing; and who take proactive ownership and responsibility for their careers. We also look for people who act with integrity, honesty and candour in their dealings, decisions and actions; who express themselves confidently while staying open to new ideas; who seek a friendly, inclusive and diverse culture; and who take seriously our role in making a difference to our local and global communities.

We pride ourselves on our diversity too, and recognise that all of our people have something unique to offer and contribute to the success of the Firm.