A diverse and driven group of talented, ambitious people. We thrive on the tougher stuff.
Join the game-changers of Australian law.
Applications for 2024-25 Sydney Summer Clerkships open from 10 June – 14 July 2024.
Areas of expertise: Banking + Finance, Competition + Regulation, Corporate Advisory, Energy + Infrastructure, Intellectual Property, Disputes + Investigations, Pro Bono, Real Estate, Technology + Digital.
Staff: Partners: 107
Lawyers: 506
Contact: Kristie Barton, Talent Attraction + Brand Manager
+61 2 9263 4575
About the firm
Gilbert + Tobin is a leading transactions, regulatory and disputes law firm, committed to outstanding citizenship. Our clients turn to us at pivotal moments in their growth trajectory – from industry-shaping M+A deals to high-stakes disputes and regulatory work.
We challenge the status quo and think differently to do things better. As a bold and ambitious team, we work on our clients’ most important projects – the ones that define their business. And through our pro bono practice, we actively make a difference. We are people who know what we stand for, and we have freedom to work in the way that suits us. Our flexible, open and welcoming culture underpins our continued success in Australian corporate law.
We employ a diverse mix of talented and ambitious people who are attracted to the firm because of its entrepreneurial spirit, creative approach and capacity for change. These are the reasons we enjoy a reputation as the most successful corporate law firm to emerge in Australia in many years.
We advise many of Australia’s and the world’s leading organisations and focus on the most dynamic sectors. Our clients and projects span Australia, Asia and emerging African markets.
#OpportunityStartsHere
Opportunities for students
Our clerkships offer a unique chance for law students in their penultimate or final year of study to experience one or two practice areas in corporate law, and learn from some of Australia’s most talented legal minds.
In Sydney, we offer a summer clerkship with two 4-week rotations across two practice areas and the option to apply for the Aurora Internship, a fully funded 5- to 6-week winter internship.
All clerks are assigned a supervising partner, mentor and buddy to assist with on-the-job training for each rotation – an immediate support network to help smooth the transition from university and assist with your professional development. While your main focus will be corporate work, everyone has the opportunity to assist on pro bono matters, innovation projects and participate in firm-wide activities.
During the clerkship you’ll take part in our customised in-house training, and cover topics such as research, analysis, drafting, developing technical skills, interpersonal effectiveness, teamwork, business development and client orientation.
As you progress through your rotations you’ll develop invaluable skills and knowledge and gain first-hand experience of our various practice groups.
Understanding the mechanics of legal practice through research, drafting memos, attending court and meeting clients will all help to build your confidence. And we’ll encourage you to contribute ideas and your own fresh perspective.
Our summer clerk program is the primary pathway for graduates at G+T, however we also invite interest from graduating students who may have clerked elsewhere or taken up other opportunities in their penultimate or final year of studies. Keep an eye on our ‘Browse Jobs’ page for active graduate vacancies.
Meet Kevin Olson
2023-24 Summer Clerk
“The firm’s strong reputation in the market is what initially attracted me to the firm, having been motivated by the prospect of being engaged in market-leading work with market-leading lawyers. However, after going through the clerkship recruitment process, my decision to choose G+T developed another layer.”
Why did you choose Gilbert + Tobin (‘G+T’) for your clerkship?
The firm’s strong reputation in the market is what initially attracted me to the firm, having been motivated by the prospect of being engaged in market-leading work with market-leading lawyers. However, after going through the clerkship recruitment process, my decision to choose G+T developed another layer. Having had the opportunity to speak with so many paralegals, lawyers, and partners at the firm throughout the various stages, I was attracted to how friendly, supportive, and down to earth all of the firm’s representatives were. In addition, both my first and second round interviews were very conversational which allowed me to develop a better understanding of the type of people that I would be working with and left an overall very positive impression.
What piece of advice do you wish you’d been given before you started your application process?
Focus on being yourself and communicate that to the fullest extent possible. Also make sure that you are a well-rounded applicant, shedding light on your many and varied experiences and interests just as much as your work history and grades.
Don’t spend time comparing yourself to others. No firm has an objective formula for progressing applicants – have confidence in yourself and maintain that confidence throughout the process.
What’s it like being a clerk at G+T?
Completing my summer clerkship at G+T was an overwhelmingly positive experience. My teams not only made concerted efforts to get me involved in matters and to give me interesting, challenging work but they were also extremely supportive and willing to help me learn. I have been able to take away everything that I was looking to get from my clerkship experience and much more in terms of technical experience, understanding the operation of big law, and developing strong personal and professional relationships.
What kind of work were you involved in during your clerkship?
I have completed a wide variety of tasks on a wide variety of matters/transactions. However, the bulk of my work can be categorised as legal research (and preparing memos accordingly), reviewing and drafting documents and conducting searches. Given the short period of my rotations, I did not get the opportunity to see matters/transactions that I worked on conclude but I was given the opportunity to see how my work fit into the grand scheme of things. I had the opportunity to sit in on client calls and meetings and I also got to attend (albeit virtually) a two-day court hearing in the Federal Court.
What was unexpected or surprising?
I was surprised by just how supportive and friendly the culture was in practice. Oftentimes there are a lot of negativities around big law when it comes to culture, so I was pleasantly surprised by how the G+T lawyers operate.
What do you think will be the lasting impacts of your clerkship experience with G+T?
I anticipate that the most significant lasting impact of my clerkship with G+T will be the relationships that I have forged during my time, not only with the other clerks but also with other lawyers and partners at the firm.
Meet Annabelle Stevens
2023-24 Summer Clerk
“Building relationships was a cornerstone of my clerkship experience. The program was not just about professional growth but also about personal connections.”
Why did you choose Gilbert + Tobin (‘G+T’) for your clerkship?
I chose G+T for my clerkship because of the culture. G+T stood out to me as the “alternative” law firm. Everyone I met during the interview process was relaxed and authentic. I was also attracted to the flat hierarchy structure, and the idea I would be able to work closely alongside senior lawyers and benefit from their expertise.
What’s it like being a clerk at G+T?
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time being a clerk at G+T. One of the great things about clerking here is that the cohort is not too big. This means you really get to know everyone and build strong, genuine connections. The firm itself welcomes the clerks with open arms, and I found everyone I worked with was genuinely enthusiastic to meet me and get me involved in their matters.
What kind of work were you involved in during your clerkship?
My rotation in Intellectual Property was nothing short of fascinating. I was given the chance to dive deep into the world of litigation, including attending meetings with counsel, observing Federal Court proceedings, and preparing research memos along the way.
A highlight of this rotation was conducting research into copyright litigation against generative AI companies in the U.S. As part of this research, I prepared a summary of all current proceedings against generative AI developers alleging violations of copyright law. The legal landscape around AI and copyright is evolving rapidly, with new precedents being set that could shape the future of intellectual property rights in the digital age. Understanding the U.S. legal framework and the nature of the claims brought against generative AI companies offered insights into how similar issues might be approached and litigated in Australia.
What did you enjoy most about your clerkship?
Building relationships was a cornerstone of my clerkship experience. The program was not just about professional growth but also about personal connections. Through a variety of social activities—from interfirm sports competitions and after-work drinks to Christmas parties and dinners—I formed friendships with my cohort I am confident will last a lifetime. These moments outside the office underscored the firm’s commitment to nurturing a cohesive and supportive community.
What was unexpected or surprising?
What caught me off guard about the clerkship program was how enjoyable it turned out to be. Coming in, I braced myself for a high-pressure environment, given the serious nature of legal work. Yet to my delight, I found the atmosphere to be incredibly fun and laid-back. The work, while challenging, involved us in fascinating legal matters that piqued my interest rather than stressed me out. On top of that, the array of social events and activities we were invited to participate in added a whole new layer of enjoyment to the experience, making the clerkship much more than just a job.
What advice would you give to next year’s clerks?
Come into the clerkship experience with an open mind, sense of curiosity and willingness to learn. Take opportunities that come your way and enjoy getting to meet new people. Everyone is really excited to get to know the clerks so it’s a great opportunity to network and make connections at the firm.