At Piper Alderman we design our Clerk and Graduate Programs a little differently than most. Grounded on the key pillars of direct partner contact, practical experience and diversity through rotations, our program offers clerks and graduates plenty of development and mentorship opportunities in a high performance and inclusive culture.
Our clerk induction program has been developed to provide you with systems training and an opportunity to develop relationships with key stakeholders and understand the commercial environment we operate in.
Clerks will be asked to indicate areas of interest in accordance with the practice areas in their office. Whilst we do our best to accommodate your preferences, placements will be determined based on business needs.
Our clerks gain exposure to a variety of work in either one or multiple practice areas, depending on office location. As part of the team, you'll have the opportunity to make tangible contributions and gain valuable insights into the responsibilities of being a lawyer. Our immersive approach ensures that in no time you can be engaging with partners and clients directly in meetings, calls, and hearings. Your role at Piper Alderman isn't just about observation - it's about active participation and genuine learning experiences that prepare you for your future legal career.
Our clerks are partnered with a buddy and work a minimum of two days per week. We know that flexibility is key, so you get to choose the days you work each semester depending on your university timetable. We understand that as a student, you may have other commitments that require time away from work such as exams or exchange programs. Our range of leave policies allow you to apply for time off when you need it.
Our young professional networking program, PLATFORM, was introduced to provide friendly and fuss-free professional networking opportunities for clerks through associates.
Keep an eye on our events page for upcoming PLATFORM events.
Each office’s recruitment process will be slightly different however, the process will generally follow these steps:
Our graduates participate in a national induction program over two days. This program covers various aspects of our firm, including our structure, key people, and practice areas. Graduates will learn about our work, key clients, systems training, and office services. The program also provides opportunities to network with partners and lawyers, and engage in team-building activities as a cohort.
Our national graduate program commences in February across all five of our offices. Depending on location, you will either rotate through practice groups or be placed in a practice group based on preference and business needs.
You will receive both formal and on-the-job training to help build your skills in solving legal and commercial problems. You will be supported by a buddy and mentor, and you will have the opportunity to apply your learnings to real legal work.
Throughout the duration of your program, you will participate in firm-funded Practical Legal Training (PLT) that equips you with the practical, day-to-day skills needed as an entry-level lawyer. Graduates begin their PLT as a cohort, fostering connections with their peers through an inclusive cohort experience. You will receive study support from the College of Law, which includes access to a lecturer, mentor, and networking opportunities. We understand that your PLT Program requires time away from work, and our range of leave policies allow you to apply for time off when you need it.
You will receive support throughout your program, including being assigned a supervisor and junior lawyer buddy. Your buddy will act as a sounding board and help you build a connection to the firm.
Our young professional networking program, PLATFORM, was introduced to provide friendly and fuss-free professional networking opportunities for clerks through associates.
Keep an eye on our events page for upcoming PLATFORM events.
You’ll receive both informal and formal feedback to ensure your continuous growth and development.
Each office’s recruitment process will be slightly different however, the process will generally follow these steps:
We use cookies. Some are necessary to operate the website and its functions. Others help personalise, improve content and services to show you the most relevant job opportunities.