Graduate and Clerkship Programs

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Kick-start your career

Graduate Program

Our graduates are our future leaders. With that in mind, we offer a robust graduate program to kick-start your career in law.

Barry Nilsson graduates receive the best training, support and mentorship to help shape the foundations for their future legal careers.

If BN sounds like the firm you want to start your legal career, please apply for our graduate program. In some graduate intakes we will fill the positions directly from our vacation clerk program.

Applications are currently closed
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Gain real-world experience

Vacation Clerkships

Our vacation clerkships are held in our Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Hobart offices over the summer and/or winter university breaks. Our programs give clerks the unique opportunity to gain experience and insight into our firm, practice areas and culture.

Working as a vacation clerk with us can often be the stepping stone to an ongoing position with the firm as a law clerk or graduate.

Applications are currently closed

Program Details

  • Brisbane Clerkship Program

    Key dates for the 2027 vacation clerkship recruitment will be released closer to the time.

  • Melbourne Clerkship Program

    Key dates for the 2027 vacation clerkship recruitment will be released closer to the time.

  • Sydney Clerkship Program

    Sydney clerks experience a clerkship program within our defendant insurance team. The Sydney vacation clerkship is open to penultimate year students.

    • Applications for clerkships open: 9.00 am, Wednesday 9 June 2027
    • Applications for clerkships close: 11.59pm, Sunday 11 July 2027
    • Offers will be made: 9.00am, Wednesday 8 September 2027
    • Offers to be accepted or declined: 1.00pm, Thursday 9 September 2027

  • Hobart Clerkship Program

    Key dates for the 2027 vacation clerkship recruitment will be released closer to the time.

  • Other Cities

    Our Adelaide and Perth offices also have opportunities for Vacation Clerks and Graduates. These will be advertised on an as needed basis on our Current Opportunities page here.

“Throughout the BN clerkship and graduate programs, BN has invested in my development through structured training, close mentorship and regular constructive feedback. Learning within a community of approachable solicitors who are generous with their time and invested in my growth has sharpened my technical legal skills, built my confidence and given me a strong foundation for a sustainable legal career.”

Zoe Nicholson – Brisbane 2025 Graduate and 2024 Vacation Clerk

“During the BN graduate program, I received incredible mentorship, guidance, and training. I had the opportunity to work alongside accomplished lawyers across a wide range of complex matters which provided a great start to my legal career. I was continually supported through the year with ongoing training and learning opportunities, alongside genuine wellbeing support. I feel lucky to have started my career in such a supportive environment.”

Lexi Blackburn – Melbourne 2025 Graduate

Application Tips and FAQ’s

  • Your Application

    Applications for graduate and vacation clerkship positions should contain:

    • A covering letter
    • Your resume
    • A copy of your academic transcript, and
    • Any further material you feel may be relevant.

  • Application Tips

    Here are some tips when writing your application:

    • Your cover letter is a great way to demonstrate your written communication skills.
    • List all of your working experience, even if it isn’t from a legal background. There are always transferable skills!
    • Tell us about any extracurricular and leadership experience.
    • We like to see a demonstrated understanding of our firm and what we do.

  • Interview tips

    Here are some tips to help you with the interview process:

    • Have a good understanding of your CV as we like to go through your experience and extracurriculars.
    • Show us that you know a bit about the firm.
    • Do your best to keep your answers relevant to the question and at a reasonable length.
    • We know it’s easier said than done – but be yourself! We encourage, support and celebrate our people being their true selves.

View our current opportunities

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