The basic facts are simple: we are one of Australia's oldest and largest law firms, with offices in six cities, nearly 200 partners, and provide a full range of legal services for large private sector and government clients.
Wherever our clients are, we give advice that connects with them. Advice that isn't just a one-size-fits-all solution taken off a shelf, but that reflects who our clients are, and what they need. Advice created by lawyers with different experiences and different views, but united by an entrepreneurial spirit, a can-do attitude, confidence in each other, and pride in helping our clients achieve.
As you might have noticed, we like speaking plainly. While we like thinking creatively to help our clients, we won't give them an answer hidden by legal jargon, or that doesn't reflect our honest opinion. Our clients value that, and trust us with their most important work. And we work hard to deserve that trust.
Pro bono at Clayton Utz
From the beginning, our pro bono work has always been about access to justice. We act for low income and vulnerable people who cannot obtain Legal Aid, and for not-for-profit organisations which support them. Over a quarter-century, we have made pro bono work a part of every lawyer's everyday practice.
We are serious about pro bono best practice. We were the first large Australian law firm to establish a formal pro bono practice; appoint a pro bono partner and pro bono senior associate; and sign the National Pro Bono Target. In 2018 we became one of only three firms in the world to appoint a second pro bono partner. Our dedication to pro bono has helped to shape what it means to be a leading Australian law firm.
In the 25 years since we launched our Pro Bono practice in 1997, we have acted for over 6,000 people as pro bono clients of the firm, and helped thousands of others at external legal clinics. We have advised more than 1,600 not-for-profit organisations. We have provided 815,416 hours of pro bono legal work. We have acted for 622 First Nations people and organisations, and over 2,000 people who were homeless or at risk of homelessness. We have pioneered compensation pathways for people held in slavery in Australia, and championed the Health-Justice Partnership model. We have recovered $11,149,440 in statutory compensation for over 600 survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Community
At the heart of our contribution to the communities in which we live and work are our people, who generously commit their time, money, skills and enthusiasm through volunteering, fund raising, workplace giving and in-kind support.
Our Community Connect program brings the Firm's values to life and strengthens and enriches the Firm's culture. It focuses on addressing disadvantage and facilitating access to justice through utilising the skills, resources and enthusiasm of our people. Some of those skills have been quite niche: we've climbed mountains with children with cerebral palsy, held mock job interviews in schools, written letters to kids in disadvantaged schools, and set up mobile libraries for people living on the streets. We have 25 community partnerships nationally, and support local communities all over Australia.
Reconciliation
Trust, respect and co-operation underpin our approach to Reconciliation.
We launched our first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in 2010. Our current RAP formalises our commitment to make a positive difference to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It sets targets that we hold ourselves to meeting through our Pro Bono work, community partnerships, procurement practices, and the Clayton Utz Foundation. It's overseen by our RAP Working Group, and informed by an external First Nations Adviser.
Health & Wellbeing
Our 2022-2025 Health & Wellbeing Strategy, Embrace, is all about supporting everyone at Clayton Utz to embrace a better day, in a way that suits their individual needs. Embrace encompasses all forms of working, and all domains of wellbeing.
We have been awarded and recognised as an Advanced Workplace in the Mental Health First Aid Workplace Recognition Program for the firm's significant achievements in developing mental health first aid skills in our people and embedding a sustainable and effective mental health program.
Imagine your tomorrow.
Sometimes it's hard enough to know where you will be tomorrow, let alone in ten years. Who knows what the world will look like then.
But you know you want to be ready for it. You want to help create it. That means building up your legal skills, industry knowledge and networks. Doing work that stretches you and shapes society. Learning more about yourself and the world. Forging connections in Australia and overseas. Making friends. We get that. It's what we do every day.
Let us help you do it too. We can take you through the move from theory to practice and the challenging jump to a commercial law firm, through programs for every stage of your study and beyond.
Ready to imagine?
Our Programs
CU Up Close Pre-Penultimate Program
If you're in your pre-penultimate year of study, and want a behind the scenes look into life at one of Australia's leading law firms, this is the program for you.
Our in-person program will support you in building practical skills and knowledge while you learn from senior leaders and recent graduates, and discover the many ways you can build your future legal career with Clayton Utz.
How can I apply?
You will apply online via claytonutz.com/earlycareers and are required to upload a resume to transfer general information into the application, please ensure you check that all information has been transferred accurately, followed by attaching your academic transcript and answer three questions.
Clerkship Program
Our Clerkship Program is the step before our Legal Graduate Program, and gives you a feel for what it’s like to be a Graduate and why Clayton Utz is a great place to start your career.
As a law student in your penultimate year, you'll be exposed to the fast pace of a full-service commercial law firm, and see the law in action at a firm where individuality is embraced, and innovation actively encouraged. You'll be working under the guidance of some of the sharpest legal minds in Australia, on challenging, complex and high-profile transactions and matters in two different practice groups.
Am I eligible?
Our Clerkship Program is aimed at students in their penultimate year of study. If you are in your final year, your application will need to include why you didn't apply or complete a clerkship in your penultimate year.
International students, you may apply if you are able to work full time during the program and if you are able to apply and independently attain the appropriate visa entitlements to work unrestricted in Australia once you commenced the Legal Graduate Program.
How can I apply?
You will apply online via claytonutz.com/earlycareers and are required to upload a resume to transfer general information into the application, please ensure you check that all information has been transferred accurately, followed by attaching your academic transcript and answer three questions (in lieu of a cover letter).
Following the submission of your application, you will receive a separate email with a link to complete a mandatory online psychometric assessment and a voluntary RARE questionnaire. Once psychometric assessment is complete you will receive a complementary feedback survey outlining strengths and areas for improvement.
Legal Graduate Program
Our Legal Graduate Program allows you to work on complex and sophisticated legal issues, and with our innovative approach to learning & development, you'll get the support you need for the best start to your legal career.
Your program will kick off with PLT+, local training and a comprehensive national orientation program in Sydney. During this time, you will learn from the best in the industry, gain insights and practical tools to set you up for success and best of all, build meaningful connections and collaborate with your peers.
From there you'll get:
As a Graduate in the Legal Graduate Program, you may be eligible for recognition reward, which is based on holistic performance at the end of each rotation.
How can I apply?
We hire most of our Graduates from our Clerkship Programs. Occasionally, graduate program opportunities may arise, which will be listed on our website.
Build a career that's as individual as you are, in an environment that celebrates your unique talents.
As a legal professional with us, you'll be part of a diverse and approachable team where diversity of thought is cherished and entrepreneurial spirit flourishes.
At Clayton Utz, our culture thrives on collaboration, excellence, authenticity, and integrity. We're dedicated to creating an environment where your unique perspectives are valued and your professional development is paramount.
In our multidisciplinary legal practice groups, you'll engage with some of the most complex and high-profile legal work in both the Australian and international markets. You'll be at the forefront of legal innovation, navigating complex cases with skill and insight.
This role offers more than just dynamic legal work. You'll have access to unparalleled professional development opportunities and a work culture that embraces flexibility and modernity. At Clayton Utz, we're dedicated to helping you shape a legal career that you're not only successful in, but also truly proud of.