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Be an advocate. Stand for something.

Date : 16 Mar 2011

The opportunity to be an advocate and stand for something opens on Monday 21 March to first and second-year lawyers who can apply to be part of our New Lawyers Program. 

The program provides 13 new lawyers with comprehensive training and development over two years. New lawyers work across civil justice, criminal law and family law programs. They will also be based for six months in one of 14 suburban and regional offices across Victoria, where they will gain experience in a variety of complex and challenging work.

Current new lawyer Sally Szmerling completed a six month placement at Shepparton and regards the program as 'the perfect introduction to what turned out to be a fast paced rotation full of new challenges and plenty of court appearances.'

'From providing advice at Dhurringile Prison and Wangaratta Hospital, to being duty lawyer at the Shepparton Magistrates' Court, I learnt not just about new areas of law, but also about what life is like in the country, and the unique challenges faced by people in regional areas,' she said.

Director of Legal Practice, Meagan Keogh, describes the New Lawyers Program as a unique opportunity for first and second year lawyers to:

  • receive hands-on experience during rotating placements
  • undertake appearance work in courts and tribunals
  • work closely with expert lawyers across practice areas 
  • interact with clients on a daily basis.

'Unlike large commercial firms of a comparable size, the legal work we do allows junior lawyers to work directly with clients to help solve their legal matters,' said Ms Keogh.

Aimee Cooper, another new lawyer in the program, said that 'it’s been challenging and rewarding, and I know the knowledge and skills I’m gaining will be valuable to any jurisdiction I end up practising in. To top it off I get to work with experienced and passionate practitioners, and to work for an organisation that helps the people in our community who need it the most. What other first year lawyer job offers all that!'

'I can honestly say I've been blown away by the level of training and breadth of experience provided through the program,' Ms Cooper said.

Applications for the 2011 New Lawyers Program close on Friday 15 April 2011. The new group of 13 first and second-year lawyers will begin the program in September.

More information

For more information, see New Lawyers Program or phone Leah Borsboom, Senior HR Consultant – (03) 9269 0537.