Our graduate program

Giving graduates a head start to their legal career

Designed to provide more than just an inside look into the workings of a law firm, Rigby Cooke Lawyers’ graduate program offers a genuine, hands-on experience with support from the very beginning.

Working closely with partners and lawyers, our program allows graduates to rotate across multiple practice areas to find the area of law they are most passionate about. If you have your heart set on a specific area of law, we’ll support that too. We want you to find your best fit – because that is where you will succeed and be your best.

Our graduates are exposed to a wide variety of legal work, giving them the opportunity to make a real and meaningful contribution. You will be involved in real matters, with opportunities to apply your theoretical legal knowledge, engage in legal research, draft legal documents, assist in case preparation, and attend client meetings and court hearings.

We recognise that the early stages of your legal career are pivotal to your future success. To support your growth and development, you will be assigned a mentor and buddy, and be provided an induction program that includes IT training, an introduction and overview of all practice areas, as well as professional development seminars.

Don’t be left standing at the starting blocks, apply today for our graduate program.

For more information

For more information about our graduate program, or questions on how to apply, please email our People & Culture team at hr@rigbycooke.com.au.

What we offer:

What you can expect from our graduate program

As a graduate, you will:

  • conduct legal research using various resources;
  • prepare legal documents, including contracts, briefs, motions, and other legal correspondence;
  • maintain case files;
  • assist lawyers in preparing for hearings, trials and client meetings, including organising evidence, maintaining case files and contributing to case strategy discussions;
  • interact with clients professionally, providing updates on case progress and responding to their inquiries;
  • attend court hearings, administrative proceedings and other legal events to observe proceedings and assist as required;
  • collaborate with other team members, paralegals, and support staff to ensure seamless workflow and contribute to a positive work environment;
  • stay up to date with legal developments, trends, and changes in legislation to enhance your legal acumen and contribute to the firm’s continuous improvement; and
  • ensure all work adheres to ethical standards, legal regulations and Rigby Cooke Lawyers’ policies and procedures.

What we look for when recruiting graduates

While academic grades are important, it’s not all we look for when recruiting graduates. We look for graduates who are passionate about law, have a strong sense of business, the confidence to face challenges head-on and embody the values of Rigby Cooke Lawyers.

We welcome applications from graduates who have:

  • academic excellence;
  • ambition, drive and commitment to be successful;
  • ability to articulate your ideas clearly;
  • strong desire to build relationships and deliver outstanding service;
  • strong sense of business awareness and a keen commercial insight;
  • excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and attention to detail;
  • strong digital skills; and
  • enjoy being part of a supportive and friendly team.

Program eligibility

To be eligible for our graduate program, you should be:

  • an Australian citizen or hold permanent residency in Australia;
  • in your final year of university studies (i.e. Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD)) or have graduated in the last 12 months;
  • committed to completing Practical Legal Training (PLT); and
  • available to commence full-time employment early 2024.

Key dates

Applications open — Thursday 8 August, 2024
Application close — Wednesday 21 August, 2024
Interview & assessments — September 2024
Offers made on or after — Wednesday 2 October, 2024

How to apply

If you are passionate about law and ready to start on an exciting legal career, we want to hear from you!

To apply for our graduate program, please submit a detailed CV with covering letter and academic transcripts to hr@rigbycooke.com.au.

In your cover letter, tell us about your career aspirations and how you believe your skills align with the position description and Rigby Cooke Lawyer’s values and objectives. While academic results are important, we also value soft skills, outside interests, work and volunteer history. Please include your year and month of graduation and residency status.