Graduate program

See what our graduates have to say about launching a career at Sparke Helmore

Read Sparke Helmore’s latest graduate brochure.

Why choose Sparke Helmore?

Sparke Helmore offers graduates a challenging and rewarding way to kick start their legal career.

Working at Sparke Helmore provides all employees with a unique range of opportunities to expand their knowledge, with access to:

• Market-leading expertise—we are a full service national law firm who work with a loyal and exceptional client base.  You will be involved in matters that will engage you, challenge you and give you unparalleled opportunity to grow and deepen your expertise.
• Real legal work—from your first day, you will have the opportunity to get involved in legal work that contributes to the firm and its clients.
• Training and development—a combination of formal and on-the-job training that covers technical and soft skills.
• Mentoring and networking—we have a proud reputation for mentoring and facilitating relationship building across the firm in a way that fosters personal and career development, networking and the sharing of knowledge, experience and learning.
• Opportunities to give back—through our Pro Bono and Community Programs.

What do we look for in our graduates?

Our people are key to our success. We are always on the look-out for graduates with potential to progress, who fit with our culture and align with our values, and who demonstrate, among other things, intelligence, interpersonal skills, commitment, energy and commerciality.

Sparke Helmore graduates are:

• "All-rounders" who engaged in extra-curricular pursuits as well as their studies (our graduates have often excelled at mooting, debating, team sports or student politics in addition to their studies)
• Team players
• Clear and concise writers
• Confident and articulate communicators
• Experienced in any of the following: summer clerkships, casual paralegal positions, voluntary legal aid experience and tipstaffing

What can you expect as a graduate at Sparke Helmore?

The first year of practising law can be daunting. Our graduates follow a program designed to guide you through the experience, providing you with comprehensive training and mentoring as well as networking opportunities.

The program includes specialised soft skill training to equip you with the tools and knowledge you need to become a capable and well-rounded practitioner. The training covers areas such as time management, business development and firm finances. You will also get to work on high quality, complex matters with leading legal practitioners from your first day.

Our graduates also have access to the firm's mentoring program, which pairs you with a senior lawyer in another practice group, to give you a broader understanding of the firm and its other practice areas.

What past graduates have to say

I undertook the graduate program at Sparke Helmore in 2023, however, I started around 4 months beforehand as a paralegal. When applying for graduate roles, Sparke Helmore stood out to me as a welcoming, professional and supportive workplace. I liked the process that Sparke Helmore undertook when hiring graduates as this gave me the opportunity to meet different employees at the firm and learn more about the culture and values of Sparke Helmore.

Through the rotational program I have had opportunities to work on not only matters based in NSW but also matters involving other state regulatory regimes. This is a benefit when working in a truly national firm.  The teams were down to earth, knowledgeable, friendly and always willing to answer any questions I had.

I enjoyed both my rotations, learnt a variety of skills and was lucky enough to be involved in pro bono work which was rewarding, interesting and allowed me to develop my knowledge in areas outside of insurance and employment law.

I have felt very at home at Sparkes and am grateful to have started as a graduate at such a wonderful firm. I truly love working in a supportive, flexible and inspiring environment and am lucky that I have made some amazing friends who started alongside me as graduates.

— Cordealia Evans, Graduate (now Lawyer)

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Sparkes Graduate Program for 2023. At first, I felt anxious because it was my first real experience working in a law firm. However, these feelings quickly dissipated as I was warmly welcomed by an incredible group of people. From the partners and lawyers to the paralegals and secretaries, everyone has been amazing.

I was really impressed with how much they emphasised my learning and development. This fostered an environment where I felt comfortable to ask questions and learn, ultimately contributing to my professional development. The work itself has been fascinating, especially in the commercial litigation team. I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in various matters, with the most exciting one being a class action related to medical negligence.

The partners and lawyers in my team allow me to accompany them to court and client meetings. This hands-on experience has helped to boost my confidence. I’ve also loved being involved in the various pro-bono opportunities that Sparkes offers like seconding to Marrickville Legal Centre where I had the opportunity to give back to the community. I feel very lucky to have started my legal career at such a supportive and collaborative environment.

— John Youssef, Graduate (now Lawyer)

I have had the pleasure of being part of Sparke Helmore’s 2023 Graduate Program.

Sparke Helmore has greatly contributed to my professional development as I have had the opportunity to get a hands-on experience working on interesting and complex matters. Sparke Helmore particularly stood out to me as an integrated and innovative law firm as it provides graduates with countless opportunities to get involved in a diverse range of matters and across all jurisdictions.

I was particularly excited to get involved in various pro-bono initiatives in areas of law that were not necessarily related to either of my two rotations. Working across these different areas and dealing directly with clients at such an early stage in my career has really enriched my professional and personal capabilities. This is emphasised by the supportive and collaborative culture of the firm, with partners and senior lawyers taking a particular interest on in mentoring and providing guidance to junior lawyers like myself.

— Vladimir Bojanic, Graduate (now Lawyer)

Looking to join us?

Graduate Opportunities at Sparke Helmore

We recruit graduates in all nine of Sparke Helmore’s offices depending on business requirements. Where graduate positions become available they will be advertised through the ‘Join Us’ section on our Careers Page.

Sydney - Graduates

We understand that finding the right firm to start your career can be a daunting process which is why we want to work with you to find the best solution for you. We give you the opportunity to tell us what's important to you and for us to assist with helping you get to where you want to be.

Sparke Helmore understands that some graduates are passionate and committed to a career in one of our specific practice groups but others may not know where they would like to specialise at such an early stage of your career and for this reason our 2024/2025 program will offer you the opportunity to tell us whether you would like to commence your career in a specific practice group or whether your preference is to rotate through different areas.

Key dates for 2024

Monday, 26 February – Applications for graduate positions open at 9:00am AEST.

Sunday, 7 April – Applications for graduate positions close at 11:59pm AEST.

Monday, 29 April – Interviews for graduate positions commence.

Monday, 17 June – Offers for graduate positions can be made

Wednesday, 19 June – Offers for graduate positions must be accepted or declined by 5:00pm AEST.