Issuu

2026

Careers Guide

As law students starting to think about the direction we will take our careers, it is important that we take a moment to reflect on the colonial system that we are all a part of. Historically, and presently, the law has justified and contributed to the unequal treatment of First Nations peoples. It is important that we are aware of the weaknesses within our legal systems and the harm that precedent can perpetuate.

The Law School Society acknowledges the Gadigal people and the Boorooberongal people as the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters on which we learn, as well as the Bidjigal people and the Gamaygal people. We pay respects to Elders past and present. We recognise their continuing connection to Country, culture, and community, and we honour their enduring custodianship of knowledge.

The law authorised the forced removal of Aboriginal children under the guise of “protection”, disrupting connections to Country and the transmission of traditional laws and customs. Native title precedent can then turn that disruption into a barrier to recognising rights to Country. Precedent can and does turn the consequences of dispossession into legal barriers to redress.

We must challenge assumptions that Aboriginal identity can be measured by appearance, and ensure that racism does not shape whose experiences are believed, whose culture is recognised, or who is treated with dignity. The roots of this history remain today and will remain tomorrow, but through the work of our generation, hopefully that will not always be the case.

First Nations Representative Introductory Statement

Acknowledgments

It is our responsibility to inform ourselves of the impact our decisions can have on First Nations peoples, to appreciate the lived experiences of those we come across in practice, and to endeavour to make meaningful change for the betterment of our communities.

As future solicitors, barristers, judges, and mediators, we are in unique positions to challenge systemic racial injustice. We have a collective responsibility to recognise the effects of individual and intergenerational trauma, respect the strength and diversity of First Nations cultures, and communicate with our clients in ways that ensure they are heard and understood.

VP Careers: Jessica Trinh

Careers (Publications) Director: Oishe Rahman

Careers Subcom:

Annabelle Basset, Chloris Chiu, Rhea Himmel, Eric Jacobs, Chloe LiangBenn, Isabella Zhu UTS LSS President: Siya Khatri

First Nations Representative: Taya Morante

Taya Morante

Accessibility Representative: Sophie Gallagher-Horne

Justice Action Committee Member: Marcus Cooper-Hor

Table of Contents 01 Welcome Address Acting Dean of UTS LAW

UTS LSS President

Careers (Publications) Director

02 Understanding the Australian Legal Profession Legal Ethics

AI for Legal Professionals

Admission into Practice

Finding Your Legal Pathway

03 Legal Practice Areas

Corporate & Commercial Law

Banking & Finance + M&A

Employment Law

Intellectual Property

Competition, Consumer & Regulatory Law

Property / Tax / Other Commercial Areas

04 Public Interest & Specialist Areas

Criminal Law

Family Law

Government & Public Sector

International Law

Migration Law

Environmental Law

Media Law

Health Law

05 Emerging Areas

of Law

AI and the Law

Cybersecurity Law

Legal Technology & Innovati Future Areas of Practice

06 Beyond the Trad Lawyer

The Courts

Tipstaff and Associate Positi The Bar

Legal Academia

Alternative Legal Careers

Public Interest & Pro Bono C

07 Entering the Profession

Applying for a Legal Career

Clerkships & Graduate Recru Resume & Cover Letter Tips

Interview Preparation

Networking

Using LinkedIn

First Generation Law Studen Work Experience & Voluntee PLT

Practising Law International Practising Law Domestically

08 Accessibility & Inclusion

Accessibility Representative .....Address

Accessibility in the Workplac .....Resources

ion

Sponsors 34

ditional

ions

Careers

lly

e Welcome

ce / Tips &

uitment

nt Tips

ering

Welcome

Address

Interim Dean of UTS Law

It is my great pleasure to introduce the UTS LSS

are they aware of the different kinds of law you

Careers Guide for 2026. I have no doubt that this will prove an invaluable resource to those of you seeking to navigate the diverse directions in which your law degree can take you.

At UTS Law we are proud of the fact that our graduates are highly sought after by employers, and we regularly receive positive feedback about our students from law firms, judges and NGOs. Our graduates are known to be practice-ready, good

communicators,

and

excellent team players. The legal education you are receiving at UTS is of the highest quality, and the industry knows it.

careers and opportunities. While law is known as a vocational degree, many people do not fully appreciate quite how many doors it opens, nor can practice, or types of lawyer you can be. And even if you know where you want your degree to take you, how do you work out how to get there?

This is where this guide plays such a significant

hard-working,

It is also equipping you for a wide range of

role. It will take you through different areas of law, and the many different ways that legal skills and knowledge translate into careers in business, government

and

the

not-for-profit

sector.

contains handy hints on how to get ahead, such as networking, work experience and volunteering. I encourage you to reflect on your own values and aspirations as you look through this guide, and think about the kind of impact you hope to have on society. If you are doing a combined degree, you might also want to think about ways you can combine your two disciplines to create a career that is tailored to your own skills and interests. The versatility of a law degree means that your career can be just as unique as you are!

Professor Isabella Alexander 6

The beauty of a law degree is its versatility. The skills we develop throughout our degree can take us far beyond the traditional pathways we often associate with studying law, opening doors across countless industries and professions. But with so many possibilities, figuring out what you actually want to do with your degree can feel like an overwhelming task.

Welcome to the UTS LSS Careers Guide for 2026!

The Careers Guide has been designed to help you navigate these possibilities, providing practical information on recruitment processes, insights from a range of industries, and an introduction to the many careers available to law graduates. Whether you have a clear idea of where you want to go or are still figuring it out, we hope this Guide gives you something to take away.

Siya Khatri 7

UTS LSS President As the legal landscape continues to evolve, our education equips us with skills that extend well beyond the law itself. We learn to advocate, problem-solve, think critically and approach unfamiliar challenges with confidence. Through contributions from firms, organisations and legal professionals, this Guide provides a glimpse into those possibilities and, hopefully, inspires you to consider a pathway you may not have otherwise explored.

We hope that it gives you not only the information and tools to navigate recruitment and career planning, but also the confidence to recognise that there is no single way to build a fulfilling career with a law degree.

This publication would not have been possible without the incredible work of our Careers team, including our Careers (Publications) Director, Oishe Rahman, Vice-President (Careers), Jessica Trinh and Careers subcommittee members. Thank you for the care and enthusiasm you have put into creating a resource that will continue to support our members long after its publication.

I hope you enjoy reading the 2026 Careers Guide, and I wish you all the best as you find your own path. Remember, your legal career does not have to be linear — and sometimes the most rewarding opportunities are the ones you never expected.

I wish you all the best in your legal career, and remind you that a career in law does not need to follow a linear line!

Welcome to the 2026 UTS Law Students’ Society Careers Guide!

As a law student, it can be easy to feel as though there is a particular path you are supposed to follow. Between clerkships, graduate roles, competitions, networking events and everything else that comes with studying law, it can sometimes seem like everyone around you already knows exactly where they are going. In reality, a law degree can lead in far more directions than we often realise, and there is no single version of what a successful career should look like.

That is what I wanted this year’s Careers Guide to reflect. Rather than focusing on one pathway, this Guide brings together a broad range of opportunities, areas of practice and career directions. Whether you are interested in commercial law, government, community and public interest work, the Bar, non-traditional legal careers, or are still figuring out what any of those options actually mean for you, I hope these pages give you a better sense of what is out there. More than anything, I wanted the Guide to be useful at whatever stage you are at. You might already have a clear idea of where you want to go, or you might still be working out what interests you. Both are completely normal. Some careers begin with a carefully planned trajectory, while others come from an unexpected subject, conversation, opportunity or experience. You do not need to have everything mapped out from first year, and you should not feel pressured to pursue something simply because everyone else appears to be doing so.

Working on the Careers portfolio this year has reinforced for me how difficult it can be to know what opportunities exist when you do not yet know what to look for. I hope this Guide makes that process a little less overwhelming and gives you a starting point to explore your own interests, ask better questions and discover pathways you may not have considered before.

Oishe Rahman

This Guide would not exist without the work of the Careers (Publications) Subcommittee, Annabelle, Chloe, Chloris, Eric, Isabella and Rhea, as well as the guidance and support of the Vice-President (Careers), Jessica Trinh. I would also like to thank all of our contributors, our sponsors, and designers Teonie and Xiaoru for helping bring this year’s Guide together.

Wherever you are in your degree, I hope you approach this Guide as an opportunity to explore rather than as a checklist of things you should already have done. Take what is useful to you, stay open to what you have not considered yet, and give yourself room to change your mind along the way.

I hope you enjoy the 2026 Careers Guide!

Careers

(Publications) Director

Welcome

Address Understanding the Australian Legal Profession

Legal Ethics Even after completing the compulsory ethics unit in law school, the oath to legal ethics continues, as it is a career-long obligation. Every solicitor and barrister in NSW with a valid practising certificate is bound by the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) and its subsequent conduct rules, which set out a primary regulatory framework to ensure high professional standards, promote fairness, and protect clients.

With the rise of AI and its use in the workplace, it is worth understanding its limitations and the risks and consequences that arise when an ethics breach occurs in a legal context. As of February 2025, the NSW Supreme Court’s Practice Note SC Gen 23 has set rules for using generative AI in proceedings, banning the use of AI in regard to drafting expert reports. Requiring disclosure of AI use in any aspect of document preparation and holding legal practitioners to their existing duty of competence. Whilst AI can be a useful tool in information processing, it can hallucinate citations and result in mistakes; thus it remains a reminder that a lawyer's ethical duty entails a high threshold that should be consistently met.

Ethical complaints against NSW solicitors and barristers go to the Office of the Legal Services Commissioner, which filters matters into consumer cost disputes, poor communication, disciplinary matters, unsatisfactory professional conduct, or misconduct. Complaints are investigated by their necessary committees and outcomes range from a caution or reprimand, or in worse cases a practising certificate can be suspended or cancelled. Inexperience and incompetence are not a valid excuse and will not protect you from the consequences of breaching legal ethics. Regardless of seniority or specialisation, every lawyer is expected to stay current on how ethical obligations and rules evolve over time. Law school is hard, and long hours and late nights that have brought you to legal admission should not be ruined by an avoidable complaint!

AI for Legal Professionals Artificial intelligence is no longer a future consideration for the legal profession, it is already changing how research is done, how documents are drafted, and how firms think about efficiency. For law students, understanding how to use these tools responsibly is quickly becoming as important as understanding the tools themselves.

KNOW WHAT AI IS ACTUALLY GOOD AT Generative AI tools can be genuinely useful for summarising documents, drafting first attempts at routine correspondence, or helping you think through the structure of an argument. What they are not reliable for is legal research in the way your own research through a database like Westlaw or LexisNexis is, since AI tools can produce confident, convincing and entirely fabricated information. Knowing the difference between these two uses is the single most important AI skill a law student can have.

LEARN FROM MATA V AVIANCA In 2023, a New York federal court sanctioned lawyers in Mata v Avianca after they submitted a legal brief containing case citations generated by ChatGPT. The tool had produced a list of case names, complete with citations and quoted passages, that looked entirely legitimate, but not one of the cases actually existed. When the lawyer asked the AI to confirm the citations were genuine, it assured him they were. This is because AI tools such as ChatGPT are programmed in a way to provide you with answers that will merely satisfy you, not answers that are inherently correct.

ALWAYS VERIFY, NEVER ASSUME The lesson from cases like Mata v Avianca is simple: treat anything an AI tool produces as a draft or a starting point, never as a finished, verified answer. Preferably do not look to AI when crafting legal work, as these are genuine skills required of you to build in order to thrive in the legal industry. However, every AI-provided case citation, statute, or factual claim needs to be checked against a proper legal database before it goes anywhere near an assignment, a client, or a court. This habit will serve you well long before you are ever admitted to practise.

THINK ABOUT WHERE THE PROFESSION IS HEADING Regulators and law societies are increasingly issuing guidance on AI use, and firms are beginning to build entire practice areas around AI related disputes, regulation, and governance. Staying broadly informed about how the profession is responding to AI, not just how to use the tools yourself, will make you a more informed and adaptable graduate.

Used carelessly, AI can create real professional risk. Used thoughtfully, with proper verification and clear boundaries, it can be a genuinely useful tool to learn early and use well throughout your career.

Admission Into Practice To be admitted as a solicitor in NSW, applicants must

The LPAB also requires two character references from

satisfy the court that they are a “fit and proper”

people who have known you for at least two years and

person;

are

thus,

required

pass

this

test

not

you

blood,

marriage

practice. As a law student, the process of admission

domestic partnership. If you have practised in another

can seem daunting, so here's a breakdown of the

jurisdiction, you’ll also need a certificate of good

process.

standing from that jurisdiction.

First, to qualify for admission, graduates must have

After

completed

relevant disclosures, your application will likely be

all

core

units

LLB

JD.

applying

admission

then

making

ceremony at the NSW Supreme Court, where you’ll be

then mandatory for applicants to disclose anything

“moved by a practising lawyer, take an oath, and sign

the LPAB “might regard as not being favourable”,

the

which covers a broad range of disciplinary matters,

admission begins now as an ethical and honest law

but particularly academic misconduct in university. As

student!

lawyers.

the

approved.

Australian

attend

all

will conduct a national criminal history check. It is

will

and

admission, the Legal Professional Admission Board

roll

You

for

The

admission

process

the test is to determine whether you are a “fit and proper person”, honesty and insight are highly valued, and failure to disclose is seen as misleading, which can lead to admission refusal. When unsure, always disclose as it displays that you approached the court with good faith and candour, which will reflect upon you as an honest legal practitioner.

Finding Your

Legal Pathway It is no secret that a law degree can lead to far more than becoming a corporate lawyer. While private practice may appear to be the clearest and most traditional pathway, discovering where your own skills, interests and ambitions lie is an important part of building your career.

Start Asking

Questions

Your tutors and lecturers can be some of your most valuable resources when exploring career pathways. If there is an area of law that interests you, approach them and ask about the different professions available within that field. The people teaching you often have valuable industry knowledge and experience that can help you understand what careers within that area might actually look like.

Put Your Skills Into Practice

Take this invaluable time to explore your options and experience all that you can by putting practical skills into motion. Participating in competitions such as the UTS LSS Mooting can give you insight into what it may be like to advocate for a client, construct legal arguments and appear before a judge. Alternative competitions, such as Negotiation and Witness Examinations, can also expose you to different aspects of legal practice and help you develop the practical and technical skills required to represent and assist clients.

03 Building

Connections

For many students, discovering the right path involves exploration. It means putting yourself out there, asking questions, finding and taking opportunities to discover what areas of law interest you and where you could potentially thrive.

Attending the many networking events that the UTS LSS organises will further broaden your options. Talking to experienced legal professionals may introduce you to careers you have never heard of. These conversations can lead to exciting opportunities, including entry-level roles, internships and mentorships that allow you to start exploring your options while you are still studying.

You’re not behind if you haven’t mapped out your career plans before graduating. As long as you stay curious, and explore the different possibilities open to you, you’ll not only find your place in the legal profession, you’ll find the pathway where you can truly flourish.

Welcome

Address

Legal Practice Areas

1 14

Corporate Law Corporate law governs the formation, operation, regulation and dissolution of companies, primarily under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). It is the body of law that determines how a company is structured, who holds power within it, to whom that power is owed and how it operates.

Corporate lawyers advise boards, executives, shareholders and investors on directors’ duties, corporate governance frameworks, shareholder rights, disclosure obligations and the rules governing fundraising. A significant portion of the practice is transactional: guiding clients through mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, private equity and venture capital investments, capital raisings, schemes of arrangement and corporate restructures. Lawyers conduct due diligence, draft and negotiate transaction documents, and manage completion across multiple parties and jurisdictions.

The regulatory dimension is equally important. Practitioners work closely with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and, for listed clients, the ASX Listing Rules, advising on continuous disclosure, takeovers regulation and responses to regulatory investigations. Where a transaction raises competition or foreign investment issues, corporate lawyers coordinate with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB).

Corporate work is collaborative. Lawyers operate in deal teams alongside investment bankers, accountants and colleagues specialising in tax, employment, property and competition law, often under tight and externally imposed deadlines.

The area suits students who enjoy statutory interpretation, commercial problem-solving and managing detail across long, complex documents.

Corporate and Commercial Law

Commercial Law Commercial law regulates the dealings of businesses and individuals engaged in commercial activity. It is one of the broadest areas of practice, spanning contract law, sale of goods, competition and consumer law, franchising, procurement, banking and finance, insurance, tax and intellectual property licensing.

At its core, commercial law is about the agreements that make trade possible. Commercial lawyers draft, review and negotiate supply, distribution, services, licensing, outsourcing and joint venture arrangements, allocating risk between parties and anticipating what happens when a deal goes wrong. Much of the value they add lies in identifying commercial risk before it materialises.

Compliance advice forms the second pillar of the practice. Clients require guidance on obligations under the Australian Consumer Law and the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), covering misleading and deceptive conduct, unfair contract terms, product safety, anti-competitive arrangements and consumer guarantees. Regulatory engagement with the ACCC is common, particularly for clients in retail, telecommunications, energy and financial services.

The work blends advisory, transactional and dispute-related elements, with clients ranging from start-ups and family businesses to listed multinationals and government agencies. Because commercial law touches virtually every industry, practitioners develop genuine sector knowledge alongside legal expertise.

This breadth makes commercial law a common starting point for graduates who have not settled on a specialisation, and a natural pathway into corporate, banking and finance, or competition practice.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Banking & Finance Working in banking and finance law involves advising banks, financial institutions, corporations, investment funds and borrowers on transactions involving the raising, lending and securing of finance. Lawyers may act for lenders providing finance or for borrowers seeking funding for acquisitions, property developments and infrastructure projects.

Day-to-day work can involve drafting and reviewing agreements, security documents, guarantees and other financing documents, conducting due diligence and negotiating transaction terms. Lawyers may also advise on refinancing existing debt, restructuring financial arrangements and the enforcement of security where a borrower defaults.

Banking and finance lawyers often work closely with corporate, property, tax and regulatory lawyers, as well as banks, accountants and other professional advisers, because financing frequently forms one component of a much larger commercial transaction. Junior lawyers can expect significant involvement in transaction management, including preparing and reviewing documents, conducting searches, coordinating signatures and ensuring all requirements are met before settlement.

Working in mergers and acquisitions involves advising companies, investors and other organisations on the purchase, sale, merger or restructuring of businesses and companies. M&A lawyers may act for either a buyer seeking to acquire a business or a seller preparing to dispose of one and are typically involved throughout the entire transaction, from its initial structuring and due diligence through to negotiation, signing and completion.

A major part of the work involves conducting or managing legal due diligence, which requires reviewing contracts, corporate records, employment arrangements, intellectual property, regulatory issues, disputes and other information to identify risks that could affect the proposed transaction. Lawyers then help negotiate and draft key transaction documents, particularly share sale agreements, asset sale agreements and shareholders' agreements, including provisions dealing with the purchase price, warranties, indemnities, conditions precedent and the allocation of risk between the parties.

M&A lawyers may also coordinate regulatory approvals, corporate authorisations and completion requirements and work closely with specialists in areas such as competition, employment, tax, intellectual property, property and banking and finance. Transactions can range from private acquisitions involving individual businesses to major public company takeovers and cross-border transactions involving multiple jurisdictions.

Junior lawyers are often heavily involved in due diligence, preparing transaction documents, maintaining signing and completion checklists, coordinating documents and signatures, preparing corporate approvals and managing the large volume of material required to bring a transaction to completion.

Overall, M&A is fast-paced and commercially focused, helping clients successfully navigate significant business transactions.

Employment Law On the employer side, employment lawyers commonly draft and review employment contracts, workplace policies and restraint clauses, advise HR teams on performance management, misconduct, disciplinary processes and terminations, and assist with workplace investigations into allegations of bullying, harassment, discrimination or inappropriate conduct. Lawyers may also advise businesses on restructures and redundancies, award and enterprise agreement compliance, employee entitlements, casual employment arrangements, contractor classifications and broader workplace compliance obligations.

Where disputes arise, employment lawyers may defend or pursue claims involving unfair dismissal, general protections, adverse action, underpayment or discrimination, including by reviewing evidence, preparing correspondence and submissions, negotiating settlements and appearing at conciliation conferences or proceedings before the Fair Work Commission and the courts.

On the employee side, they may assist individuals who have been dismissed, underpaid, bullied, harassed or discriminated against by assessing the strength of potential claims, explaining available legal options, reviewing employment documents and workplace communications, preparing applications and negotiating with employers or their legal representatives.

A significant part of the work also involves interpreting and applying the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), modern awards, enterprise agreements, employment contracts and relevant antidiscrimination and workplace safety legislation to the cases of clients. Employment law therefore combines advisory, drafting, negotiation and dispute-resolution work.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual property law protects the rights of creators and owners of intangible assets such as music, writing, film, visual media, software, product designs, brands and inventions. It determines who may use these assets and what happens when they are exploited without permission.

Practitioners work across four principal regimes. Copyright, governed by the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), protects original literary, artistic, musical and dramatic works, as well as film and sound recordings. Trade mark law, under the Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth), protects the signs that distinguish a business’s goods and services. Patent law rewards novel and inventive technical solutions with a limited monopoly, while design law protects the visual appearance of manufactured products.

The practice divides broadly into advisory and contentious work. Advisory practitioners conduct trade mark clearance searches and registrations, prosecute patent applications before IP Australia, negotiate licensing, assignment and franchising agreements, and advise on IP ownership in employment, research and commercial contracts. Contentious practitioners run infringement proceedings and oppositions, and conduct disputes in the Federal Court.

IP law is technical and increasingly interdisciplinary. Patent work in particular attracts practitioners with science or engineering backgrounds, and generative artificial intelligence, data rights and online enforcement are reshaping the field.

Competition, Consumer & Regulatory Law Working in competition, consumer and regulatory law involves advising businesses on how to structure their commercial activities in compliance with competition and consumer protection laws, while also assisting them in navigating regulatory investigations, merger approvals and enforcement proceedings.

Competition lawyers may advise buyers and sellers on merger control risks, prepare merger notifications and engage with regulators. They also advise clients on competition risks arising from commercial arrangements such as joint ventures and business sales, including potential cartel conduct, misuse of market power, exclusive dealing and agreements that may substantially lessen competition.

On the consumer law side, lawyers commonly review advertising, promotional materials, standard form contracts and terms and conditions to ensure compliance with the Australian Consumer Law, including rules relating to misleading or deceptive conduct, consumer guarantees, unfair contract terms, product safety and recalls.

This practice area also has a significant disputes and regulatory component, with lawyers representing businesses and individuals in investigations and enforcement proceedings involving regulators such as the ACCC, ASIC and state or territory regulators. This may involve responding to compulsory information requests, managing documentary evidence, preparing submissions, negotiating with regulators and defending or pursuing litigation.

Overall, competition, consumer and regulatory law combines commercial advisory work and litigation, requiring lawyers to understand both the legal rules and the commercial consequences of how businesses operate within the market.

Property Law

Property law concerns the acquisition, use, development and disposal of land. In New South Wales, practice is built around the Torrens system under the Real Property Act 1900 (NSW), supplemented by the Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW) and the Retail Leases Act 1994 (NSW). Property lawyers handle commercial acquisitions and sales, leasing, strata and community title, development agreements, and planning and environmental approvals under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW). Larger practices act on infrastructure and development projects, coordinating with construction and finance teams.

Tax Law

Tax law is a technical advisory practice governed principally by the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth) and 1997 (Cth), the GST legislation, and state duties and land tax regimes. Tax lawyers structure transactions to manage tax exposure, advise on capital gains, employee incentive schemes and cross-border arrangements, seek rulings from the Australian Taxation Office, and act in audits and disputes.

Other Commercial Areas Other commercial specialisations include insolvency and restructuring, insurance, construction, energy and resources, technology, media and telecommunications and projects and infrastructure. Each combines contractual and regulatory work with sectorspecific expertise.

Welcome

Address Public Interest

& Specialist Areas

Criminal Family Law Law Working in criminal law involves representing either accused persons or the State in matters ranging from minor offences to serious and complex criminal charges. Criminal defence lawyers act to protect the rights of the accused, test the prosecution’s evidence and present the client’s case as effectively as possible, while prosecutors act on behalf of the public to present the evidence fairly and assist the court in determining whether the alleged offences have been proved beyond reasonable doubt.

Day-to-day work can involve meeting with clients, taking instructions, reviewing police briefs, witness statements, CCTV footage, forensic reports and other evidence, conducting legal research, advising clients on possible charges and penalties and developing case strategies. Criminal lawyers frequently appear in court for mentions, bail applications, hearings, pleas, sentencing matters and trials, and may prepare written submissions, examine or cross-examine witnesses, and make oral arguments before judges.

They also commonly negotiate with prosecutors regarding the withdrawal or reduction of charges, participate in case conferences, and advise clients on whether to plead guilty or contest the allegations. More serious or technically complex matters may require working closely with barristers and expert witnesses such as forensic scientists, psychologists, medical practitioners or digital specialists.

A significant part of the practice also involves client communication and case management, which involves explaining legal processes, managing expectations, meeting strict court deadlines and supporting clients through what are often highly stressful circumstances. Criminal law therefore requires strong ethical judgment, resilience and upholding duties owed both to the client and to the administration of justice.

Working in family law involves assist issues arising from the breakdown o relationships, including separation, arrangements, property settlements, and child support.

Family lawyers provide legal advice, court documents and settlement ag with the other party or their solicitors, in proceedings before the Federal Circu Australia where disputes cannot be res

A significant part of family law practic dispute resolution, particularly negoti family dispute resolution, because financial matters are settled without hearing. Lawyers may help clients pr identify the legal and factual issues proposed settlement terms and ensu properly documented and legally enfor

Where litigation is necessary, family applications, affidavits and submi organise evidence, comply with c advocate for their client at interim and

Family lawyers may also work with accountants, psychologists, social experts depending on the nature of practice is highly client-facing and of people during emotionally difficult per communication, empathy, judgment remain objective are particularly impor

ting clients with legal or changes in family divorce, parenting spousal maintenance

Junior lawyers may initially assist by attending client conferences, preparing file notes, drafting correspondence and court documents, conducting legal research, preparing briefs to counsel and supporting senior lawyers at mediations and court appearances.

prepare and review greements, negotiate and represent clients uit and Family Court of solved privately.

Overall, family law requires lawyers to balance legal strategy with the practical and emotional realities affecting families and, in parenting matters, the best interests of children.

ce involves alternative iation, mediation and many parenting and proceeding to a final repare for mediation, s in dispute, assess ure any agreement is rceable.

y lawyers may draft issions, gather and court directions and final hearings.

h barristers, valuers, workers and other the case. Day-to-day ften involves advising riods, meaning strong and the ability to rtant.

Government

& Public Sector The government and public sector practice group covers the body

law

governing

how

public

power

exercised,

constrained and reviewed. It is grounded in administrative and

constitutional

interpretation, privacy,

law,

judicial

procurement,

but

extends

review,

across

freedom

regulatory

statutory

information,

enforcement

and

public

international law.

Administrative determines agencies

law

the

and

sits

legality

officials,

the

centre

decisions

with

the

made

challenges

practice.

government

brought

through

judicial review in the Federal Court and Supreme Court, or merits

review

Review

jurisdictional and

before

Tribunal

error,

improper

governing

the

Commonwealth

bodies

and

such

NCAT.

procedural

purpose. division and

fairness,

Constitutional of

legislative

States

the

Common

and

Administrative

grounds

include

unreasonableness law

overlays

this,

power

between

the

limits

imposed

dimension

the

Chapter III.

The

group

also

encompasses

the

regulatory

International law addresses legal issues

public power: the frameworks under which agencies licence,

extend

investigate,

relationships

prosecute

and

impose

penalties,

and

the

beyond

national

borders,

between

gover

count

statutory obligations imposed on government itself under the

international organisations and individua

Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) and the Privacy Act

a global scale. From protecting fundame

1988

human

rights

and

partnerships bring a commercial element, while migration,

trade

and

business

social

international

(Cth).

Government

security,

procurement

environmental

and

public–private

planning

law

generate

high-volume administrative practice.

law

freedoms,

can

gover

across

bord

lead

opportun

across a range of areas.

Work in this area is conducted both inside government and by private firms and barristers acting for or against the State, and

community

individuals.

legal

Commonwealth

model litigant obligations.

centres

acting

practitioners

for

are

affected

bound

Interna

Where to start?

There are plenty of international law subjects to explore when you reach your elective stage of your degree, such as International Human Rights Law or World Trade Law. UTS LSS competitions such as the International Humanitarian Moot can further expose you to the practical realities of the industry.

Whether your interests take you across borders or around the world, UTS offers a range of opportunities to help you explore where international law could take you.

s that The two main sectors include public and private Where can international law take you? rning international law;

tries, A background in international law can lead to exciting als on Public international law is regulated by opportunities across numerous sectors, including;

ental several inter-governmental organisations such Human rights and advocacy organisations

rning as the United Nations. This area focuses on International organisations

ders, disputes between nations and their citizens.

Government and foreign affairs

nities Private international law manages disputes Non-government organisations

between private citizens of different countries.

International court and tribunals

Law firms with international practices

ational Law

Migration

Law Migration has long been a primary driver of Australia’s population growth, workforce expansion and economic development. As a result, migration law in Australia continues to evolve, making it an intellectually challenging yet rewarding field for aspiring lawyers.

A career in migration law requires strong rese and communication skills. Practitioners mu interpret detailed legislation, assess individual and communicate complex legal requireme clients. Accordingly, the skills you learn in law attention to detail in combination with an ab sensitive and often time-critical matters are als

If you are interested in university sub Administrative, Constitutional, Human Rights Law, migration law may align particularly interests. It offers an opportunity to combin with meaningful client advocacy and enga surrounding borders, human rights and Austr system.

This field largely focuses on the movement of individuals across borders seeking to obtain temporary or permanent residence in Australia. It is an intricate area of law involving complex legislation, regulations and administrative processes. Migration lawyers work across a broad range of matters, including visa applications, permanent residency, citizenship, deportation and appeals. They may also assist individuals who encounter legal issues while navigating Australia’s migration system or settling in the country.

Migration law is particularly rewarding because it allows practitioners to support clients through significant, lifechanging transitions. Lawyers may assist clients in applying for a wide range of visas, including visitor, work, skilled, family, partner, refugee and humanitarian visas. Lawyers will be required to provide clear legal guidance while navigating complex legislation and advocating effectively for their clients in any administrative review proceedings or other disputes concerning their migrations status.

Migration Law careers can flourish within:

Government departments and agencies

Private law firms and migration practices

Community legal centres and NGOs

Refugee and humanitarian organisations

International organisations

In-house legal teams and large corporations

Our envir time inc developm offer opp

earch, analytical ust be able to l circumstances ents clearly to w school such as bility to manage so valuable.

bjects such as or International well with your ne legal analysis age with issues ralia’s migration

Lawyers in the environmental law field would likely have a diverse scope of work, ranging from navigating the competing demands of economic activity and environmental protection to facilitating community interests and ensuring compliance with environmental responsibilities and sustainability goals. This may include advocating for stronger environmental protections, advising on planning and development approvals, resolving disputes involving environmental obligations, and contributing to the development of environmental policy.

Starting from law school, individuals interested in pursuing environmental law would benefit from strong research, writing and negotiation skills. A strong foundation in subjects such as public international law and trade law would also be valuable, given the increasingly global nature of environmental regulation and sustainability.

Environmental Law careers can flourish within:

Government

Private practice

Community organisations, such as NGO’s

International organisations

Large corporations

The competing pressures of regulation can be a challenging area to work in. However, environmental law is also rewarding for individuals who have a strong interest in advancing the broader public interest and the interests of future generations. Environmental law in particular allows practitioners to see the direct consequences of their work in preserving environments, communities and natural ecosystems.

ronment is constantly changing, facing some of the most significant challenges of our cluding climate change, biodiversity loss, and an increased focus on sustainable ment and the management of natural resources. A career in environmental law would portunities to engage in these issues and make a tangible impact on our planet.

nvironmental Law 28

Media

Law Media law sits at the intersection of law, journalism, entertainment and communications. It governs the legal rules and regulations surrounding what can be published online, while balancing important rights such as protection of individual reputation and the right to privacy with freedom of expression and public interest concerns. Areas within the media law profession include;

Defamation Law; protecting the reputational image of individuals and organisations

Privacy Law; regulating the collection, use and dissemination of personal information

Journalism and Freedom of Expression; balancing the public’s right to knowledge with legal and ethical responsibilities

Media law is a broad field, with several career opportunities such as working for;

Media and defamation law firms

Publishing and journalism

Public relations and communications

In-house legal team

Television and broadcasting industries

Social media and technology companies

Where to Start?

UTS offers subjects such as Media Law and Privacy Law which are worth exploring once you reach your elective selection. If you’re looking for opportunities outside of your degree, the Communications and Media Law Association (CAMLA) is also a great place to start, offering students and professionals with industry events to connect with like-minded peers, and explore the diverse career pathways available within media law.

If you’re someone who always keeps up with the latest news, and is fascinated by the everevolving online world, a career in media law might be the perfect pathway for you!

Health

Law

Healthcare is an essential part of society, and health law plays an important role in regulating how healthcare is delivered and protecting the rights of both patients and healthcare providers. Health law is a diverse and evolving field that governs the relationship between patients and providers, regulates healthcare professionals and institutions, and addresses the legal and ethical challenges arising within the health industry.

Health lawyers may work across a broad range of matters, including patient rights and consent, medical liability and negligence, professional regulation, public health and bioethics. This can involve advising on informed consent, patient confidentiality and privacy, or assisting with disputes involving medical treatment and professional negligence. Lawyers may also advise healthcare professionals and organisations on their regulatory obligations, registration and disciplinary matters.

The field also extends to broader public health issues, including legislation concerning communicable diseases, therapeutic goods and health and safety. As medical technology continues to develop, health lawyers increasingly encounter emerging legal and ethical questions involving areas such as genetic testing, assisted reproductive technology, medical research and end-of-life decisionmaking.

A career in health law requires strong analytical, research and communication skills, as practitioners must navigate complex legislation while balancing competing legal, ethical and public interests. An ability to approach sensitive issues with professionalism and empathy is also valuable when working with patients, families, healthcare professionals and institutions.

Health Law careers can flourish within:

Government departments and health agencies

Private law firms

Hospitals and healthcare organisations

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies

Professional regulatory bodies

Community and public interest organisations

Universities and research institutions

If you have an interest in helping individuals, improving access to healthcare, or contributing to the effective regulation of healthcare systems, health law may be a rewarding career path. The field provides an opportunity to combine legal practice with issues that have a direct and meaningful impact on individuals, communities and the wider health system.

Welcome

Address

Emerging

Areas of Law

AI & the Law Artificial intelligence is becoming difficult to separate from the way we work, communicate and make decisions, and the law is having to keep up. As a growing area of legal practice, AI law sits across several more established fields, including privacy, intellectual property, consumer law, employment, contracts and disputes.

So, what does an AI lawyer actually do? The answer can vary quite a bit. A lawyer might advise a business before it introduces an AI system, helping it work out what data can be used, who owns AIgenerated material, how risks should be managed, or what needs to go into a contract with an AI provider. If something goes wrong, lawyers may also become involved in disputes about misleading outputs, copyright infringement, discrimination, confidentiality or responsibility for decisions made using AI.

Part of what makes this area interesting is that many of these questions do not yet have simple answers. In Australia, AI is still largely regulated through existing areas of law, alongside newer government guidance, professional standards and court rules. Lawyers therefore have to apply familiar legal principles to technology that is changing very quickly.

You also do not need to know how to code to be interested in AI law. Curiosity about technology, strong research skills and being comfortable working through unfamiliar problems are often much more useful. For students interested in the area, it is worth looking beyond jobs specifically labelled “AI law”. AI-related work can be found in technology, privacy, intellectual property, regulatory and disputes teams, as well as government, regulators and in-house legal teams.

If you like the idea of working in an area where the answer is not always obvious, AI law is likely to be one to watch.

Cybersecurity Law The field is constantly evolving as new technologies create new opportunities, risks and legal questions. The emergence of artificial intelligence, cloud computing and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats means that cybersecurity lawyers must continually adapt to changes in technology and regulation. In Australia, developments such as the Cyber Security Act 2024 (Cth) demonstrate the increasing focus on strengthening cybersecurity protections and regulatory frameworks.

A career in cybersecurity law can therefore be particularly dynamic. Rather than dealing with the same legal issues repeatedly, practitioners may encounter new technologies, emerging threats and developing areas of regulation throughout their careers.

Cybersecurity Law careers can flourish within:

Government departments and regulatory agencies

Private law firms

Technology and telecommunications companies

Banks and financial institutions

Large corporations

Cybersecurity and consulting firms

Privacy and data protection organisations

If you have an interest in technology, data privacy, intellectual property, commercial or contract law, cybersecurity law may be a particularly suitable field. It offers the opportunity to combine traditional legal skills with an understanding of rapidly developing technologies and play a role in ensuring that innovation remains secure, responsible and legally compliant.

Headlines increasingly highlight the growing role of artificial intelligence, digital technologies and online systems in almost every aspect of modern life. As individuals, businesses and governments become increasingly reliant on technology, the legal frameworks governing cybersecurity and the protection of digital information have become more important than ever.

Cybersecurity law sits at the intersection of law and technology, addressing the legal challenges arising from the use, storage and protection of digital systems, data and networks.

Cybersecurity lawyers may advise on matters including cyberattacks, data breaches, privacy, digital security, regulatory compliance and technology-related disputes. Their work can involve helping organisations understand their legal obligations when collecting and storing personal information, responding to data breaches, managing cyber risks and developing appropriate policies and procedures.

Legal

Technology Technology is changing both what

One reason this area continues to grow is simple: technology tends to

lawyers advise on and how legal

move faster than legislation and case law. A new platform or digital

work is done. Legal technology

product can be developed and adopted long before there is a clear

and

broad

legal rule dealing with every risk it creates. Lawyers are often left

emerging area that deals with the

working out how existing principles in privacy, intellectual property,

legal questions created by new

contract,

software, digital platforms, cloud

genuinely new.

innovation

consumer

and

cybersecurity

law

apply

something

services, automated systems and the growing use of data across

In practice, this could mean advising a client purchasing a new

almost every industry.

software system, negotiating technology and cloud contracts, working through questions about who owns or can access data, assessing privacy and security risks, or helping a business design a new digital service.

Technology

lawyers

often

work

closely

with

developers,

cybersecurity teams, product managers, and other specialists, so understanding and explaining unfamiliar technology is particularly valuable.

Legal innovation also looks inward at the profession itself. Firms are increasingly using document automation, data analytics, digital matter management and AI-powered tools to change how legal services are delivered. Some lawyers move into legal operations, innovation or legal technology roles that sit somewhere between traditional legal practice and technology.

For students, you do not need to be the person who can build the software. An interest in how technology works, an ability to ask good questions and a willingness to keep learning can take you a long way. Look for experience in technology, privacy, IP, cybersecurity and digital projects teams, as well as innovation and legal operations roles within firms and in-house teams.

and

Innovation 36

Future Areas

of Practice Legal practice is reshaped by whatever society builds, breaks or fears next. Several areas are moving from the margins of the profession toward its centre.

Artificial intelligence law is the clearest example of a future area of practice. It spans the governance of AI systems, liability for automated decisions, the intellectual property status of AI-generated and AItrained material, and compliance with emerging regulatory frameworks, including the EU AI Act and Australia’s evolving approach to mandatory guardrails for highrisk applications. Related is data and privacy law, expanding with the ongoing reform of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), and cybersecurity practice, where breach response and critical infrastructure obligations generate urgent, high-stakes work.

Climate and environmental, social and governance law is growing rapidly. Practitioners advise on mandatory climate reporting under the sustainability standards now applying to large Australian entities, greenwashing enforcement by ASIC and the ACCC, renewable energy and transition projects, and an increasing volume of climate-related litigation against governments and corporations.

Other emerging fields include digital assets and blockchain regulation, space law, biotechnology and genomics, elder law responding to demographic change, and the regulation of online platforms and harmful content.

These areas share common features. Regulation typically lags the technology or social change driving it, so lawyers work with unsettled law and analogical reasoning. Technical and scientific literacy matters. Cross-disciplinary and international perspectives are often essential.

Welcome

Address Beyond the Traditional Lawyer

Have you participated in a mooting competition and found yourself loving the thrill of advocacy? Do you enjoy articulating persuasive arguments, thinking on your feet, and the idea of fighting for your client? If this is you, a career in and around the courts could be the perfect pathway for you.

familiar

pathway,

there

are

variety

opportunities available within the court system.

entry-level

and

support

positions

consider which are great ways of gaining experience and understanding how the justice system operates. These roles include;

Court officer; supporting the daily operation of the courts and assisting with court proceedings

Court Registrar; assisting with the administration of court proceedings

Legal researcher; conducting legal research and preparing

information

support

judicial

and

legal decision-making

Judicial Associate; working closely with a judge or magistrate, assisting with case preparation and legal research

progress into more senior legal and judicial careers. Depending on your interests and goals, you could pursue a career as a solicitor, barrister, judicial officer or judge.

your

generall

courtroo

judgmen

particul

The pro differs

direct a

are gene

year yo

the HCA

years b

advertis judge's inquire desired

expecte

your nam

It is als

From these roles, there are further opportunities to

Whether

proceed

differ ba

To get your foot in the court doors, there are a number

tipst

officers

contrac

While becoming a solicitor or barrister may be the most

judge w

yours, a

job. Res

speech,

other e normal

interests

lie

arguing

the

courtroom or assisting the justice system operate behind the scenes, a career in the courts can put you right at the heart of the legal system.

at a tim

few we later. It

judge ap

judge an

The opp

The Courts 41

provide

other le

apply; y

arise, a

kept on

have va

Tipstaff and Associate Positions

taff and judges associate are both court who assist a judge, manage courtroom dings and perform legal research. They are ly appointed to one judge for a year-long ct, and duties include legal research, om duties and assisting in the preparation of nts and any other tasks required by a lar judge. The terms tipstaff and associate ased on the specific court they work.

ocess of obtaining a tipstaff or associate role from graduate firm rounds, often involving applications to individual judges. Applications erally submitted at least one year prior to the ou wish to commence, with the exception of A, where applicants should do so two or three before they are available. Very few judges se vacancies, and it is suggested to call the chambers and speak to the associate to about whether the judge is hiring for your year. Phoning a judge's chambers is ed- call outside of court sitting hours, state me, ask your question and be polite.

so suggested that you research and find a whose interests and legal speciality align with and the experience you want to gain from the search can be found in a judge's swearing-in , daily court lists, previous judgements and extracurricular lectures and speeches. It is for judges to not get back to you for months me and some will interview 10 applicants in a eeks then do another round a few months is not a regimented hiring process like other pplications and is entirely dependent on the nd their availability.

portunity to work closely with a judge will e you with experience difficult to gain from egal jobs, and it is definitely worthwhile to you don’t know what unexpected results can and providing an application can mean it’s n file, reviewed and referred to judges who acancies down the track.

The Bar After admission as a lawyer in the Supreme Court, those who wish to practise as barristers and represent clients in court must register and sit the NSW Bar Exam. The Bar exam is offered twice a year and focuses on three main areas

practice

which

are

relevant

barristers; namely evidence, procedure and ethics. Exams are usually administered during the course of a day and comprise a variety of question types, including an essay format. In NSW, successful bar exam candidates are then required to complete the NSW Bar Association Bar Practice Course BPC). Candidates are then required

appear

mock

trial

and

undertake a 12-month reading program under a tutor, who is a barrister with at least seven years of call.

The process is lengthy and demanding, often requiring a different work life to firm practice. There is greater autonomy and direct client advocacy work, but less structural support than what a firm environment would provide. If interested in gaining more knowledge about the realities of the bar and eventual career as a barrister, it is useful to speak to junior barristers,

try

find

work

research

assistant for a barrister or judge’s associate, and attend NSW Bar Association information sessions.

These

forms

experience

will

provide a unique insight into judicial decisionmaking,

courtroom

research.

procedures,

and

legal

Legal Academia Legal academia refers to the community of scholars, professors, researchers, and institutions engaged in teaching, studying and publishing research on the law. Due to the importance of legal academia and its highly focused nature, the work requires sustained research and in-depth textual analysis, which results in a lengthy process.

Legal academia is an entirely different discipline to practice, and law students may consider an academic career to gain expertise on the development of arguments, communication through legal writing and thinking, and its broader intersection with the social, political and cultural landscape. Legal academia ultimately informs student learning, and contributes to scholarly communities and institutions through active engagement and publications.

Entry to academic careers typically requires strong undergraduate results, followed by some form of postgraduate study such as an Honours year, a Phd or postgraduate research. NSW law schools also value some form of teaching part time due to the value of physical practice towards academics. If you are interested in an academic position whilst still completing a law degree, some next steps include:

Seeking out research assistant roles with academic staff

Consider practising for several years first then pursuing an academic career to gain experience

Attending guest lectures and law school events and seminars to build connections with staff that can mentor a research pathway

Alternative Legal Careers

Do you enjoy your law degree but aren’t sure whether practising law is for you? Don’t worry, your law degree can open doors to careers far beyond a law firm or the courtroom.

Where Can Your Law Degree Take You?

Media & Communications

Combine your legal knowledge with a passion for communication, writing and current affairs through publishing, media roles or journalism. Furthermore, if your interests lie in communication, strategy and working with people, your legal skills and knowledge can be useful in public relations, communications advisory roles, or reputation management.

Corporate Industries

Law graduates are highly valued in businesses for their ability to analyse complex problems, understand regulations and negotiate effectively. Careers in corporate affairs, compliance risk and business management are just some of the pathways you could thrive in. Technology

The rapid development of technology is constantly creating new legal and regulatory challenges. Careers in industries such as technology policy and artificial intelligence offer opportunities to combine law with innovation. Education

Are you passionate about a particular area of law? You could share your knowledge and shape the next generation of lawyers by pursuing a career in teaching.

How Can I Find My Niche?

Start by thinking about what you enjoy and consider the skills you have developed through your law degree. Take electives outside traditional legal subjects, join student societies and attend industry events to explore opportunities beyond the popular lawyer route. Even seeking out internships or work experience in industries you are interested in may lead you to your perfect job. Your law degree does not define your career, rather it gives you the skills to find your niche, and build your own.

Interested in social justice and human rights? Want to use your law degree to make a difference? A career in public interest and pro bono law could be your future.

In the public interest sector, the legal system is used to protect rights, improve access to justice and advocate for individuals and communities. Pro bono work allows legal professionals to provide their skills and services to people who may struggle to access legal representation.

Careers that can eventuate for you in this area of law include working for;

Community Legal Centres; working directly with people who may face barriers to accessing justice

Legal Aid; helping people who cannot afford private legal representation across a range of areas such as family, criminal and civil law.

Government & Public Sector; working on legislation, policies and legal issues that affect the broader community

Non-Government Organisations; advocate for social justice, human rights and vulnerable communities

Pro Bono Practices; numerous private firms dedicate pro bono practices, allowing lawyers to work on matters that assist the public interest alongside their commercial practice

Where to Start?

You don’t have to wait until graduation to start making a difference. Joining programs such as the UTS Brennan Justice and Leadership Program, or volunteering at local community legal centres or legal aid can provide valuable exposure to public interest work. For example, volunteering as a client intake officer at Marrickville Legal Centre provides you with the opportunity to interact with people in need of accessible legal services, and further liaise with legal professionals who take on their cases as pro bono work.

Whether you aspire to advocate for systemic change or want to help individuals access their right to justice, public interest and pro bono roles offer selfless and fulfilling careers where your legal skills can be used for a purpose beyond traditional private practice.

Public Interest & Pro Bono Careers 46

Welcome

Address

Entering the Profession

Applying for a Legal Career Your Network

A legal career is rarely built through one application, one interview or one lucky connection. It is built gradually through the relationships you develop, the experience you accumulate, the reputation you establish and the initiative you show along the way. That takes time, which is why starting early matters.

Take Initiative

Call firms. Send thoughtful emails. Reach out on LinkedIn. Introduce yourself at events. Ask whether a team is likely to need additional assistance. Contact practitioners whose work genuinely interests you.

However, being bold does not mean being pushy. A cold email should not read as though you are entitled to someone's time or a position. It should be concise, respectful and specific about why you are contacting that person.

Get Experience Before You Know Exactly Where You Are Going

You do not need to have your entire legal career mapped out now. Take opportunities to learn, even when they are not in your ideal practice area. Early experience

teaches

you

how

legal

workplaces

actually operate.

Do not underestimate the value of a role simply because it is not prestigious. A smaller firm may give you

responsibility.

government

role

may

expose you to policy and regulation. An in-house position may teach you to think commercially. A community legal centre may give you direct client experience.

Your Time Is an Advantage

One

the

most

valuable

things

you

have

student is time. You have time to experiment with different practice areas. You have time to attend events, volunteer, meet practitioners and develop skills that may not pay off immediately. You have time to apply for roles that feel slightly outside your comfort zone.

Do Not Ignore Your Life Outside Law

Legal employers are not hiring transcripts. They are hiring people. Your interests outside law can make you

interesting,

capable.

Sport,

creative

pursuits,

community

relatable

volunteering, part-time

involvement

can

and

leadership,

more music,

employment all

and

demonstrate

qualities that matter in legal practice.

Being

well-rounded

also

makes

you

better

building relationships. Clients and colleagues do not spend all day talking about case law. The ability to connect with different people is a professional skill.

Rejection Is Part of the Process

The legal job market can be competitive. You will receive rejections. Some will feel justified. Others will make no sense. Sometimes you will never know why someone else was selected. Try not to interpret every rejection as proof that you cannot succeed. Instead, ask what the process can teach you.

Clerkships &

Graduate Recruitment

Choosing a career in law can open the door to a diverse range of professional pathways. While studying law provides students with a strong foundation in legal research, analysis, advocacy and problem-solving, the skills developed throughout a law degree can be applied across many different areas of practice.

From commercial law and litigation to environmental, migration, health and cybersecurity law, each area offers different opportunities to engage with legal issues and develop specialised expertise. Exploring different practice areas can help students identify their interests, understand the types of work available and make informed decisions about their future careers.

Students are encouraged to consider not only the areas of law that interest them academically, but also the types of clients, organisations and legal issues they would like to work with. Legal careers can extend beyond traditional private practice, with opportunities available across government, corporations, community organisations, regulatory bodies and international organisations.

For students beginning to explore their career options, gaining practical experience can also be invaluable. Clerkships, internships, volunteering and networking opportunities can provide insight into the day-to-day work of legal practitioners and help students build professional skills and connections.

Students are encouraged to check out the Clerkships Guide 2026 for further information about clerkship opportunities, application processes and tips for navigating the recruitment process.

Whether you already have a particular area of law in mind or are still exploring your options, this Careers Guide provides an introduction to a range of legal pathways and the opportunities available within each field.

Resume & Cover Letter Tips

Employers read resumes quickly and under time pressure, so structure matters. Separate education, experience and activities clearly, and keep headings, spacing and bullet points consistent. Dense text and inconsistent formatting slow the reader down and count against you when volumes are high.

Be specific without being verbose. Phrases like “assisted with matters” or “supported senior lawyers” convey little. State what you did, in what context, and at what level of responsibility. “Prepared the first draft of an asset sale agreement and completion checklist for a mid-market M&A transaction under compressed deadlines” is far more useful than “assisted senior lawyers on various M&A transactions.” Also, include non-legal work, whether that be retail, hospitality, tutoring and student leadership, to demonstrate commercial judgment, communication and stakeholder skills. A short interests section is worth keeping; sustained commitments outside law show discipline and consistency.

The cover letter should go beyond the resume. Explain what motivates you to apply and why you are a strong candidate for that specific employer. A workable structure has four parts: an introduction stating the position, your year of study and your interest in the relevant area of law; a section showing knowledge of the organisation, including recent work and how you would contribute; your educational background connected to the role; and your experience, framed around transferable skills.

Keep it to one page. Integrate any awards or qualifications rather than listing them separately. Close by stating your point of difference by thinking about what distinguishes you from other applicants. Remember to proofread, and check the organisation’s name in every letter.

Law interviews are not just a test of your grades or your ability to recite the elements of negligence. Firms are assessing how you think, how you handle pressure and whether you would be someone a client or colleague wants in the room. The good news is that most of what separates a good candidate from a great one is not talent, it is preparation. Here are some practical tips to help you get there.

Know the firm, not just the role

Before any interview, spend time perusing the firm’s website, recent news, and practice areas. Look up a matter they have worked on or a value they mention repeatedly. Find specifics on the firm that you resonate with, that way it is not about memorising facts to recite, it is about walking in with genuine context so your answers sound informed rather than generic.

Prepare your stories, not your scripts

Behavioural questions like "tell me about a time you worked in a team" are really asking you to prove your skills through experience. Prepare three or four stories from your studies, work, or extracurriculars that show resilience, teamwork, or problem solving. Practise telling them out loud, but avoid memorising word for word. A story that sounds too rehearsed loses its impact.

Ask questions that show curiosity

An interview is a two way conversation. Prepare one or two thoughtful questions that show genuine interest, not just eagerness to secure the role. Some examples are, but not limited to:

What are the most important qualities of somebody succeeding in this role?

What does the first week look like for somebody in this role on your team?

What does success look like in the first six to twelve months?

Tend to your nerves

Nerves are normal, even expected. Slow your breathing before you walk in, and remember that a pause before answering is not a weakness, it is a sign of thoughtfulness. Walk in prepared, walk in curious and trust that you belong in that room.

Learn the recruitment team

It is easy to focus all your energy on the partners in the room, but the People and Culture or graduate recruitment team often has real influence over who progresses. Learn their names, greet them properly and be just as engaged with them as with the interviewers.

Interview Preparation

Networking Networking can feel intimidating, especially if you are not naturally the type to walk up to strangers and introduce yourself. But here is the thing: networking is simply the ongoing process of building genuine professional relationships, and it is a skill that improves with practice, not a personality trait you either have or do not.

Start with who you already know

Before looking outward, look around. Classmates are future colleagues, tutors and lecturers often have years of industry experience, and your university’s law society exists specifically to help you make these connections. Attending a seminar or society event is a low pressure way to start building the habit.

Build your online presence

A well maintained LinkedIn profile lets you put your best foot forward before you have even met someone in person. Keep it current, engage with posts from firms or lawyers you admire, and share things related to your studies that genuinely

interest

you.

Many

professional

relationships

now

begin

online

before they continue in person.

Prepare before you show up

Before any event, spend ten minutes looking up who will be there. Read about the firm, a speaker’s background, or a recent matter they worked on. Walking in with

even

one

two

thoughtful

questions

ready

takes

the

pressure

off

improvising and shows genuine interest.

Focus on the conversation not the outcome

The strongest professional relationships are not built by collecting business cards or LinkedIn connections. They come from genuine curiosity about the person in front of you. Ask open ended questions you actually want the answer to and let the conversation unfold naturally rather than steering it toward what you want from them.

Follow up within a day or two

This is the step most people skip, and it is also one of the easiest ways to stand out.

short,

personalised

message

after

meeting

someone,

referencing

something specific from your conversation, shows that you were genuinely listening and leaves a lasting impression.

Networking is not about becoming someone you are not. It is about showing up consistently, staying curious, and letting relationships build naturally over time.

Using Linkedin You do not need thousands of connections or a perfectly polished profile to get value out of LinkedIn. You just need to show up consistently, present yourself clearly and use the platform as a tool for real conversations rather than a scoreboard. Here is where to start.

Setting up your profile

Choose a recent, clear photo of just you, dressed as you would for an interview, with good lighting and a plain background. A well lit phone photo is fine, you do not always need a professional headshot. Beyond that, keep your profile simple and complete: education, experience, and a short ‘about’ section in your own words. A short, complete profile always beats a half finished one.

Get your profile in shape

Your profile is often the first impression a firm or professional will have of you, so make it count. Use a clear, professional photo, write a headline that says more than just "law student" (mention your interests or areas you are drawn to), and keep your experience section current. You do not need to overthink this, a clean and accurate profile will always beat an overly polished one.

Follow before you connect

Before sending a connection request to someone you do not know, follow their firm and a few of its lawyers, and spend some time engaging with their posts. This means your name is not appearing out of nowhere when you do reach out, and it gives you real context to reference.

Personalise every connection request

A blank connection request is easy to ignore. A one or two line note referencing something specific, a talk they gave, an article they wrote, or a mutual connection, makes it far more likely to be accepted and remembered. Keep it short and genuine rather than trying to sell yourself in the first message.

Use it to prepare, not just to connect

Before an interview or networking event, LinkedIn is one of the best research tools available. Look up who you will be meeting, what they have worked on, and what they post about. This turns a cold interaction into one where you can ask genuinely informed questions.

Think before you post

Anything you post is visible to future employers, so keep it professional, but do not be afraid to share things related to your studies or interests that feel authentic to you. A platform that only ever shows the polished version of you is less memorable than one that shows a genuine interest in the field.

Used well, LinkedIn is a useful and consistent tool to stay visible and turn a first impression into an ongoing relationship.

Use your university’s resources

Careers services, academic skills support, and tutors exist because the university expects students to need them, not because using them signals weakness. Many of these services are underused simply because students do not know they exist or feel they should already have it figured out.

Starting law school without a family blueprint can feel like everyone else got a manual you were never handed. The unwritten rules, the unfamiliar vocabulary, the sense that everyone else already knows how this all works, it can all feel like a gap in your story. But it is not. Here are some practical tips to help you navigate law school on your own terms.

Give yourself permission to not know things

Terms like "clerkship," "silks," or "black letter law" are not intuitive, and no one is born knowing them. If you do not understand something, ask. Chances are several people around you are wondering the exact same thing and are simply too embarrassed to say so.

Find your people

You do not need to navigate this alone. Seek out peer mentoring programs, first generation student networks, or simply classmates who feel like a safe place to ask questions. Having even one or two people to compare notes with makes the unfamiliar feel far more manageable.

Treat your professors as a resource, not an obstacle

Office hours are not just for the students who feel confident coming forward. Professors often have years of industry experience and are usually far more approachable than they seem from the front of a lecture hall. A simple question after class or a short email can open a door you did not expect.

Learn the unwritten rules on purpose

Things like appropriate attire for events, how to email a professor, or what a clerkship even is are not intuitive if no one has ever explained them to you. Do not be afraid to ask directly, "what should I wear to this" or "how does this process actually work" are completely reasonable questions.

Remember why you are here

On the harder days, it can help to remember that the resilience it took to get here without a family roadmap is not a weakness, it is a genuine strength that will serve you well in a demanding profession. You worked to understand things that might have been handed easier to others, and that effort counts. You belong in every room you walk into, every lecture, every clerkship interview, every future courtroom. The fact that you got here without a blueprint is not a gap in your story, it is the story.

First Generation Law Student Tips

Work Experience

& Volunteering Work

experience

and

volunteering

are

Both work experience and volunteering also

particularly important for law students because

provide

they

from

networks, develop relationships with mentors

While

and

help

university

you to

apply an

your

actual

knowledge workplace.

opportunities

obtain

build

valuable

guidance

from

experiences

can

university provides the theoretical foundations

practitioners.

of the law, practical experience allows students

strengthen future applications, but their value

to see how legal principles are applied to real

extends beyond improving a resume as they

clients,

disputes

problems,

help students develop a clearer understanding

while

developing

research,

of the kind of lawyer they wish to become and

and

commercial

skills

legal

drafting, communication and problem-solving.

enter

the

These

professional

profession

with

greater

practical

awareness and confidence.

Exposure to workplaces such as law firms, inhouse

legal

teams,

courts,

and

other

organisations

centres

community also

legal gives

students a more realistic understanding of the profession,

including

the

day-to-day

lawyers,

professional

responsibilities

standards

client

and

management.

This

experience can assist students in identifying the areas of law and working environments that best align with their interests, strengths and career goals, while also building confidence and professional judgment before entering full-time practice.

Volunteering is especially valuable because it allows students to develop these skills while contributing to the community and improving access to justice. Through volunteering with community legal centres, pro bono programs or other community organisations, students may gain experience interacting with clients from diverse

backgrounds,

taking

assisting

with

and

casework

instructions,

observing

how

legal issues affect individuals in practice. Even non-legal

volunteering

transferable

skills

such

can as

communication,

teamwork, empathy and reliability.

strengthen

A law degree provides students with the theoretical and analytical foundations of legal practice, but becoming a practising lawyer requires more than knowledge of the law. Practical Legal Training (PLT) provides the bridge between the classroom and legal practice, giving graduates the practical skills and experience required for admission to the legal profession in Australia.

Core competencies

PLT develops the practical competencies expected of an entry-level lawyer. Students learn how to apply legal knowledge to realworld scenarios and develop skills in areas such as legal research, legal writing, drafting, negotiation, advocacy, client interviewing, professional ethics and file management. PLT also introduces students to the practical responsibilities of lawyers, including communicating effectively with clients, exercising professional judgment and understanding their ethical obligations.

Structure

PLT programs generally combine practical coursework with supervised legal experience. Students may complete simulated legal tasks and exercises designed to replicate the work of a practising lawyer, such as drafting correspondence, preparing legal documents, advising clients and appearing in simulated proceedings. Depending on the provider and program, students may also undertake a period of work experience or supervised legal training in a legal workplace.

Providers

PLT is offered by a range of approved education and training providers across Australia, including universities and specialised legal education institutions. Students should consider the course structure, delivery mode, duration, practical placement opportunities and admission requirements when selecting a provider. Requirements can also vary between Australian jurisdictions, so students should check the relevant admitting authority when planning their pathway to admission.

Significance

Completing PLT is an important step in transitioning from law student to legal practitioner. It allows graduates to consolidate the knowledge gained during their law degree while developing the practical skills required in professional practice. For students considering a career in law, PLT provides an opportunity to build confidence, develop professional competencies and gain a clearer understanding of the day-to-day responsibilities of a lawyer.

PLT is therefore not simply another academic requirement. It is a critical step in turning legal knowledge into practical legal practice. It’s all about applying law school to the real world !

Practical Legal Training 58

Practisin Internationally The idea of practising law in another country can feel exciting and, at times, slightly overwhelming in equal measure. Unlike many professions, law is deeply tied to the jurisdiction you qualify in, which means an international career takes more deliberate planning than simply applying for a job abroad. Here are some practical starting points.

Understand that qualifications rarely transfers automatically

A law degree or admission in one country does not automatically grant you the right to practise in another. Most jurisdictions require some form of conversion exam, additional coursework, or a formal equivalence assessment. For example, foreign qualified lawyers wanting to requalify in England and Wales now go through the Solicitors Qualifying Exam, which is open to candidates from any jurisdiction but still requires passing set assessments. Research your target jurisdiction's specific pathway early, since these processes can take a year or more to complete.

Decide whether you need to requalify at all

Not every international legal career requires full requalification. Many lawyers work internationally in advisory, in-house, policy, or academic roles where their home jurisdiction qualification is sufficient, particularly if the work centres on their existing area of expertise rather than local court practice. Get clear on what the role actually requires before committing to a lengthy requalification process.

Look for international exposure while you study

Exchange programs, international moot competitions, and secondments through your firm or university are some of the most accessible ways to build genuine international experience before committing to a big move. They also give you a realistic sense of whether the lifestyle suits you, rather than romanticising it from a distance.

Network across borders, not just locally

International legal networks, alumni groups, and organisations connected to specific regions or practice areas can be some of the most valuable resources you have. A short conversation with someone who has already made the move you are considering will teach you more than months of research alone.

Expect the cultural learning curve to be real

Legal systems are not just different sets of rules, they often reflect entirely different professional norms, communication styles and expectations around hierarchy. Approach a new jurisdiction with the same curiosity you would bring to a new area of law. Ensure that you are patient with yourself while you learn its unwritten rules.

An international legal career is rarely a single leap, it tends to be built through a series of smaller, deliberate steps. Start researching early and let your curiosity about other systems guide where you look next.

ing Law Domestically Once you have completed your law degree, fulfilled the requirements of Practical Legal Training (PLT) and been admitted to the legal profession, congratulations; you are officially on your way to practising as a lawyer! But admission is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of choosing where and how you want to practise law.

Where would you practise?

Solicitors can work across private law firms, government departments, community legal centres, corporations and in-house legal teams. Their work can span areas such as commercial law, litigation, family law, criminal law, employment law, property and many other specialised fields.

In Australia, the two traditional pathways after admission are practising as a solicitor or pursuing a career as a barrister.

Practising as a barrister

Taking the bar

Practising as a Solicitor How to become a solicitor

To practise as a solicitor, you must complete the relevant academic and practical requirements, obtain admission to the legal profession and hold a practising certificate issued by the relevant state or territory authority.

What would you be responsible for?

Solicitors often work directly with clients and are responsible for providing legal advice, conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, negotiating on behalf of clients and managing matters from beginning to end. Depending on their area of practice, solicitors may also represent clients in court and instruct barristers on complex litigation matters.

How to become a barrister?

Barristers generally practise as independent legal advocates and specialise in providing expert legal advice and appearing in court. After admission as a lawyer, an individual seeking to practise as a barrister must complete the relevant bar admission and training requirements in their jurisdiction and obtain a practising certificate.

What is the role of a barrister?

Barristers primarily specialise in advocacy and litigation. They may appear in courts and tribunals, provide specialist legal opinions, advise on complex legal issues and prepare cases for hearing. Barristers are commonly briefed by solicitors rather than working directly with clients on every aspect of a matter.

Both pathways offer rewarding careers, but the choice between solicitor and barrister ultimately depends on your interests, preferred working environment and the type of legal work you want to undertake!

Welcome

Address

Accessibility

& Inclusion

Accessibility Representative Being a law student within the accessibility community comes with unique challenges, especially when navigating career pathways. I think of having a disability as a superpower because I have an added perspective, strength, a creative mind and resilience that people without disabilities just don’t have. A disability does not make you any less valuable in the job market. Every student brings something meaningful to the legal profession, and those of us with disabilities often carry an additional layer of insight, empathy, adaptability, and problem‑solving that enriches the legal workplace.

Studying Law with Access Needs

Balancing a demanding law degree while managing chronic illness, mental health conditions, neurodivergence, learning difficulties or physical disability can be difficult. Capacity fluctuates, energy levels shift, and the pace of law school does not always align with the realities of being a person with a disability. This is why flexible academic adjustments are essential. My strongest advice is to listen to your body and trust your own knowledge of what supports you. Reach out to UTS Accessibility early and make use of the adjustments available. Some of my favorites are note‑takers, assignment extensions, exam modifications, assistive technology, and quiet spaces. Small things can make a significant difference in law school. If you feel overwhelmed, please seek help rather than staying silent. You deserve support, and you deserve to thrive.

Ac rig bu at wi all on co ex us wi

On fro ac en co ac the

Ma hid wo na wo pe wi bu ha wo sh pro are

avigating Academic Adjustments

cademic adjustments are not favours; they are ghts. Normalising their use is a crucial part of uilding an inclusive law school culture. Accessibility UTS exists to empower you, not to burden you ith additional processes. Seeking support early lows you to plan ahead, reduce stress, and focus n your learning (the fun bit). The more we ollectively embrace adjustments, the better xperience you will have. Never feel guilty about sing your adjustments, they are there for you to use ithout any judgement.

ommunity and Peer Support

ne of the most powerful forms of support comes om connecting with other students who have ccess needs. Sharing strategies, experiences, and ncouragement reduces isolation and builds onfidence. Community is a cornerstone of ccessibility, and you are never alone in navigating ese challenges.

Reasonable Adjustments Inclusive Practice

and

Reasonable adjustments in the workplace include flexible deadlines, captioned meetings, quiet workspaces, accessible technology. These benefit everyone, not just the accessibility community. This is known as universal accessibility, where adjustments made for people with disabilities also help everyone else. The most common example of this in practice is ramps on footpaths and buses for wheelchair users also help the elderly and pram users move. Inclusive practice creates stronger teams and more thoughtful workplaces. As you move into clerkships and early career roles, remember that you are entitled to support, and that accessibility is a shared responsibility across the legal profession.

isible and Invisible Disabilities

any disabilities are not visible, most people have dden disabilities which shape how we study and ork. Disclosure can involve emotional labour, and avigating assumptions can be exhausting in the orkplace and law school. Do not let others’ erceptions define your capabilities. As someone ith a learning difficulty, I find exams challenging ut excel in collaborative environments, a strength I ave that many people struggle with. Identify what orks for you, recognise your strengths, and howcase them confidently to employers. The legal ofession values diverse skill sets, and your abilities e part of that diversity.

You are strong and well deserving of being in the legal profession. Make the most of the education and opportunities you receive, and I have no doubt you will thrive.

elcome Address

Careers Accessib in the Workplace 01 Be kind to yourself, know your limits Legal work can be exhausting, and it is important to recognise when you need to slow down, take a break, or ask for support. Knowing your limits is not a weakness; it is an important part of looking after yourself and creating a sustainable career. Give yourself permission to work in a way that supports your wellbeing.

02 Your disability is your superpower Your disability gives you a unique perspective and lived experience that others may not have. It can also help you develop empathy, resilience, problem-solving skills, and a deeper understanding of the experiences of others. Your lived experience can be a valuable strength that you can bring to your workplace and your career.

03 Confidentiality in the workplace

Employers should maintain confidentiality about any information you share about your disability or access need, except where there are specific legal or mandatory reporting requirements. Confidentiality within the workplace is important, so make sure you communicate who you are comfortable having access to this information. Where appropriate, your consent should be sought before information about your disability is shared with relevant colleagues or other parties.

04 Don’t let your disability define you Your disability is only one part of who you are. Remember that there is so much more to you as a person, including your skills, interests, personality, goals, relationships, and achievements. Your disability may shape some aspects of your experience, but it does not determine your potential.

05 Disclosure is a choice Disclosing your disability at work is a personal decision, and you should share information when and how you feel it is appropriate. Unfortunately, there can be unintended consequences associated with disclosure, which is why it is important to consider what feels right for you. At the same time, disclosure can also help you access workplace adjustments, feel more supported, and receive the assistance you need to succeed.

bility

Top 10 Tips

You don’t owe people an explanation You are not required to share details about your

disability

Only

sharing,

personal

what

and

boundaries

circumstances.

you

feel

remember

that

around

the

comfortable you

can

information

set you

provide. You can choose what you disclose, who you disclose it to, and when you want to have those conversations.

Find your community Finding a community can provide you with a support

network

throughout your

your

corner

difference, navigating

that

career.

can

there

Having

make

particularly challenges

for

you

others

may

You’re more than a KPI Your

value

measured

significant

when

that

you

people

single

cannot

number,

target,

important

not

different ways of working, contributing, and

the

disability

community

skills,

can

provide

and

opportunities

employee

are

achieving

accessibility

performance indicator. Quality is often more

fully understand. Connecting with people in and

experiences, learn from others, and remind

than

their

quantity,

goals.

creativity,

and

everyone

Remember

relationships,

contribution

your

that

has

your

knowledge,

workplace

are

all

part of your value.

you that you are not alone.

Know your rights You have rights in the workplace, including protections against discrimination and unfair treatment. Take the time to understand your workplace and your

the

laws

rights

something greater yourself.

policies, that

can is

not

employment apply

help

you

when

Knowing

recognise

appropriate

confidence

you.

contract,

and

when

give

you

advocating

for

Just keep swimming Perseverance

key,

especially

when

your

career journey does not always go according to

plan.

days,

There

and

whether

may

moments

you

can

setbacks,

when

keep

you

going,

difficult question

but

those

moments do not define your entire career. Take things one step at a time, keep moving forward, and remember that progress does not always have to look like a straight line.