HFW Clerkship Application
Sector-focused global law firm with entrepreneurial culture across construction, shipping, aerospace, commodities and
Program Overview
- Criterion: Penultimate-year students; strong academic performance (transcript required); demonstrated interest in Insurance/Reinsurance, Construction, or Real Estate law - Mentoring: Assigned mentor and buddy within major sector team; partner exposure through real client matters - Development: Hands-on experience on real client matters from day one; practical training in core practice areas - Pathway: Primary pathway to graduate position; clerkship designed to assess suitability for conversion - Program: Seasonal clerkship in Sydney (23 Nov 2026 – 5 Feb 2027) and Perth (summer: 23 Nov – 11 Dec 2026; winter: 29 Jun – 16 Jul 2027); Sydney focuses on Insurance/Reinsurance and Construction; Perth focuses on Construction and Real Estate
Locations
- NSW
- WA
Firm Values
- - Identity: Global sector-focused law firm with ~220 Australian team members and 30+ partners across 4 offices
- - Identity: Specialist in construction
- shipping
- aerospace
- commodities
- corporate and insurance sectors
- - Identity: Established presence in Sydney
- Perth
- Melbourne
- with Brisbane expansion in 2025
- - Values: Entrepreneurial approach to client service and problem-solving
- - Values: Collaborative partnership across all levels and disciplines
- - Values: Creative thinking in complex sector matters
- - Culture: Gender equality and inclusive workplace practices
- - Culture: Mental health and wellbeing prioritised for all staff
- - Culture: Commitment to race
- ethnicity and cultural diversity
- - Culture: LGBTQ+ inclusion and support embedded in operations
- - Culture: Social mobility advancement through career development
- - Differentiator: Integrated pro bono and CSR into core firm strategy
- - Differentiator: Environmental commitments across all business operations
- - Differentiator: Deep sector expertise across construction
- shipping and aerospace
Awards & Recognition
- - Award: Law Firm of the Year Finalist (Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards 2025)
- - Award: Best Newcomer Award (Pro Bono Connect Awards 2026)
- - Recognition: Brisbane office opened 2025 — 4th Australian office, signalling significant national expansion
Community & Pro Bono
- Program: Global Pro Bono Program - Focus: Structured pro bono services integrated with corporate social responsibility - Initiative: Responsible Business Strategy incorporating pro bono, community engagement, and environmental commitments - Impact: Best Newcomer Award at 2026 Pro Bono Connect Awards for new structured Australian pro bono program - Partner: Pro Bono Connect