To be eligible for the 2027 Law Graduate Program you must have completed a Seasonal Clerkship at Russell Kennedy within the last two years.
Russell Kennedy’s 12-month Law Graduate Program offers a dynamic rotation through four distinct practice groups, giving you the opportunity to build a strong foundation across multiple areas of law.
Designed to provide immersive, hands-on experience, the program allows graduates to work closely with different teams, Partners, and clients. Each rotation offers exposure to a variety of legal matters, industries, and work styles, enabling you to apply the knowledge gained in your formal studies to real-world practice. This is your chance to dive deep into meaningful work, develop your professional network, and discover where your legal career can take you.
Russell Kennedy partners with the College of Law enabling graduates to complete their Practical Legal Training within the first 18 weeks of commencement of the program.
At Russell Kennedy, we’re committed to fostering your growth and development in a supportive and collaborative environment. From day one, each Law Graduate is paired with a dedicated Graduate Lead who provides ongoing guidance throughout the program. Regular check-ins with your Graduate Lead offer the opportunity to discuss career progression, rotation experiences, and personal development goals.
To further support your transition from university to full-time legal practice, you’ll also be assigned a Rotational Supervisor and Graduate Support within each practice group. These team members provide day-to-day mentorship and help you navigate your new role with confidence.
You’ll receive on-the-job feedback during each rotation, complemented by a formal review session with People & Culture and a Partner at the end of every rotation.
Our comprehensive Learning and Development program is designed to equip you with the practical skills, legal knowledge, and professional confidence needed to thrive. As part of your ongoing development, you’ll have access to regular in-house CPD seminars, client events, and external training opportunities, ensuring you’re well-prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of a successful legal career.
At Russell Kennedy, we take great pride in our collaborative and inclusive culture. We’re intentional about recruiting confident, capable individuals who thrive in team environments and are eager to contribute to meaningful work. Our impressive client base offers new lawyers the chance to work on high-quality matters across specialised areas of law. Our firm’s size fosters a close-knit environment where staff enjoy meaningful interactions with both colleagues and clients.
We are deeply committed to delivering exceptional legal advice, fostering a rewarding and supportive workplace for our people, and providing a rich learning environment where Law Graduates can grow, thrive, and build successful legal careers.
Further Information
Please include a copy of your cover letter outlining why you’re interested in joining Russell Kennedy since clerking with us, along with an updated CV and academic transcript.
Applications can be submitted to:
Vanessa Maio – People & Culture Advisor
Russell Kennedy
Level 18, 500 Bourke Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Applications will close at 5:00 pm on Friday, 31 July 2026.
Our Firm and Culture
Russell Kennedy is a commercial law firm with more than 380 people in Melbourne and Sydney. We are committed to providing exceptional legal strategies and solutions to our clients, guided by market-leading expertise across our key sectors of focus.
As part of our team, you’ll receive hands-on experience, quality mentoring and access to valuable learning opportunities. We encourage a professional and committed work ethic, while recognising the importance of an enjoyable working environment and balanced lifestyle. We believe we have a culture where individuals of all backgrounds and abilities feel included and confident in bringing their whole selves to work, and where your talents are fostered, empowering you to contribute to the success of the firm.
Russell Kennedy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is certified as a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, as well as being certified as a gold employer in the Australian Workplace Equality Index for employers with 500 or less employees. We respect and celebrate the things that make each of us different. The firm supports and promotes a range of initiatives to create an environment that is characterised by equal access and respected participation of all groups and individuals. There is a particular focus and emphasis on gender equality, inclusion of First Nations peoples, accessibility for people with disability, LGBTIQ+ inclusion, and cultural diversity. Russell Kennedy is recognised by Australian Disability Network as a Disability Confident Recruiter employer.
Russell Kennedy is committed to attracting and retaining the best talent available. We acknowledge the importance of work-life balance, each candidate has access to flexible work options and workplace adjustments including alternate formats where required. If you require an adjustment during the recruitment process please contact Vanessa Maio on 03 9609 6812 or [email protected].
Russell Kennedy Lawyers acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we meet and work. Our offices are situated on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri and Gadigal peoples. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, to their emerging leaders and to the resilience, creativity and vitality of their cultures including their laws and systems of governance.
