Law Clerk

**JOB DESCRIPTION**:
**This is a rare opportunity for students who are keen to acquire practical legal skills by working in a modern law firm.**

These are permanent career positions with reduced and flexible working hours during university semesters to accommodate your studies on a reduced-load basis. They include annual leave, sick leave and superannuation calculated on a pro-rata basis. They are not vacation clerkships; nor are they designed to offer temporary student employment - we are looking for people who will stay with us for the duration of their degree and beyond.

We offer a high level of supervision, support and regular in-house training; however, we expect you to acquire practical skills quickly in your designated area of employment with a view to making a meaningful contribution.

We encourage cadets to perform well academically and to participate in extra-curricular university activities. Our alumni include winners and finalists of the UWA Opening Mooting, Trial Advocacy and Negotiation competitions. In 2017 one of our members spent the year studying in Beijing and Hong Kong on a New Colombo Plan Scholarship.

**What does the job entail?**

You will be employed as a legal professional.

You will start your career in our real estate settlements, probate or debt collection (litigation) departments. These area have a high volume of client files and well-established systems for delivering services, which will allow you to quickly learn our procedures and how to use our software, **ContactsLaw**.

A mentor will monitor your progress and work closely with you to help you develop the skills you need to hit the ground running and operate as an effective member of our team. You will liaise with clients, take charge of and manage your own files from the outset.

We encourage all members of our team to participate in the management of the firm, for example, in marketing activities, software development, systems administration, or document management.

The practical skills that you acquire will kick-start your career in law and should place you well ahead of your peers professionally by the time that they graduate.

**What we offer**
- You will be paid at the Legal Services Award rate, plus superannuation. You will be entitled to annual leave and paid sick leave. You will be entitled to an average of 13 hours per week study leave during university semesters.
- Your performance and remuneration will be formally reviewed annually. We will pay you according to the value of your ability and contribution rather than your level of qualifications or years of experience.

**What we’re looking for**

To be considered for these positions you will:

- be enrolled in a law degree at a local university or have a direct pathway to the Juris Doctor (JD);
- have a strong ATAR, (or TER/TEE) score and above average university grades;
- be committed to a professional career as a lawyer in the private sector;
- be sufficiently self-disciplined to balance the competing demands of a responsible job, university studies and a personal life;
- keenly embrace technology as a means of enhancing the delivery of legal services;
- be a leader and a team player; and
- have a sense of humour.

Mooting experience is not essential but will be highly regarded.

You must be prepared to work an average of 25 hours per week during university semesters and full-time during university holidays; and to reduce the level of your university commitments accordingly. **_It will take longer to complete your degree as a result, but the work you do with us will equip you with valuable practical and knowledge and skills. Our cadets’ university marks tend to improve over time as their experience at work overlaps with their studies_**.**

You will benefit from our experience in helping cadets manage their work and study loads; however it requires considerable self-discipline on your part (eg studying on the weekends). Our cadetships are demanding jobs that require a serious investment of time and energy.

**A different kind of law firm**

Although we have been in business for over 40 years, we strive to lead as a digital law firm and have embraced the NewLaw business model. As part of this revolution, you will participate in enhancing our clients’ experience.

Find out more about us here.

**How to apply**

Applications must be made using our online form [click here].

**FIRM OR ORGANISATION NAME**:
Birman & Ride

**CONTACT NAME**:
Lucy Dickens

**EMAIL ADDRESS**:
**TELEPHONE**:
08 9220 4401

**JOB LEVEL**:
Law Student

**SECTOR**:
Legal services

**COUNTRY**:
Australia

**STATE**:
Western Australia