Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Clerkship Application

World-leading international firm with an entrepreneurial, relationship-driven culture

Program Overview

- Criterion: Technical excellence and a growth mindset - Criterion: Curious and constantly seeking to learn and improve from every experience - Criterion: Embrace challenges as opportunities to stretch capabilities - Criterion: Proactive with an entrepreneurial spirit - Criterion: Desire to make a real impact - Criterion: Foster strong relationships with clients and colleagues across the global network - Mentoring: Partner and graduate mentoring support - Mentoring: Meaningful responsibility, sincere feedback, and confidence to contribute from day one - Development: Workshops and presentations covering all practice areas - Development: Pro bono practice contribution - Development: Cutting‑edge technology through innovation projects - Development: Networking opportunities across the firm - Pathway: Most graduate positions filled by vacation clerkship students - Program: Vacation clerkship across eight practice groups in NSW QLD VIC WA

Locations

  • NSW
  • VIC
  • QLD
  • WA

Firm Values

  • - Identity: One of the world's leading global law firms with an entrepreneurial culture
  • - Identity: Operates across Australia (NSW
  • QLD
  • VIC
  • WA) and globally
  • - Values: Human — genuine relationship builders
  • collaborative
  • generous and kind
  • - Values: Bold — ambitious and entrepreneurial
  • not afraid to do things differently
  • - Values: Outstanding — strive to be leaders in all we do
  • - Culture: Close mentorship from partners and graduate mentors
  • - Culture: Inclusive environment that values diversity of people and communities
  • - Culture: Pro‑bono‑driven community focus
  • - Differentiator: Vacation clerkship immerses students in eight practice groups
  • - Differentiator: Innovation projects using cutting‑edge technology
  • - Differentiator: Strong commitment to pro bono impact through casework and legal clinics

Awards & Recognition

  • - Award: Chambers 2026 Band 1 Corporate/M&A Australia
  • - Award: Chambers 2026 Band 1 Projects & Energy Australia
  • - Award: Chambers 2026 Band 1 Capital Markets Equity Australia
  • - Ranking: #1 Australian M&A league tables 2025 by deal value USD38 billion (full year)
  • - Ranking: #1 Australian M&A league tables 2025 by deal volume 100+ transactions
  • - Matter: Advised Chow Tai Fook Enterprises strategic review and A$6.5 billion Alinta Energy sale Energy & Resources
  • - Matter: Advised Ampol A$1.1 billion acquisition of EG Australia Corporate & M&A
  • - Matter: Advised Chemist Warehouse AU$34 billion merger with Sigma Healthcare Corporate & M&A
  • - Matter: Advised Fonterra sale of global dairy consumer business to Lactalis NZ$4.22 billion Corporate & M&A
  • - Recognition: Promoted 10 lawyers to partnership in Australia 2026 Leadership development
  • - Recognition: Ranked as world‑leading global law firm in multiple practice areas 2025 Reputation
  • - Recognition: Recognised for pro bono impact through casework and legal clinics 2025 Community service

Community & Pro Bono

- Program: Casework and free legal clinics for access to justice - Program: Advisory services for NGOs charities and social enterprises - Program: Secondments to community legal centres - Program: Legal education and training for for purpose sector - Program: Strategic litigation policy and law reform projects - Partner: Community legal centres across Australia - Partner: NGOs supporting disadvantaged communities - Initiative: Human centred pro bono approach - Initiative: Bold pro bono choices - Initiative: Outstanding client focused pro bono service

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer website

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