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Johnson Winter Slattery

4.4
  • 100 - 500 employees

Johnson Winter Slattery Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Law

Johnson Winter Slattery is a leading independent Australian law firm known for its expertise and exceptional services. The firm specializes in advising major corporations, funds, and governments on their most challenging transactions and disputes. With 80 partners and 180 lawyers spread across six offices throughout Australia, Johnson Winter Slattery is well-equipped to cater to the needs of its diverse clientele.

The firm places a strong emphasis on prioritizing the well-being of its clients and employees. Guided by the ethos of "we're in it together," Johnson Winter Slattery ensures that everyone involved feels valued and supported. Unlike traditional law firms, their unique business model promotes collaboration across various practices, eliminating silos and bureaucracy to deliver outstanding outcomes for clients. By allowing their lawyers to focus on the quality of their legal work and client experience, the firm fosters an environment where individuals can thrive.

Johnson Winter Slattery is committed to nurturing talent and offers graduates valuable hands-on experience in a down-to-earth setting. Here, they have the opportunity to work on market-leading legal matters and engage with senior lawyers who actively contribute to their professional development and advancement.

The firm's dedication to inclusivity and belonging drives its efforts to encourage diverse thinking, promote strong team collaboration, and facilitate growth for its people, clients, and communities. Johnson Winter Slattery values the relationships it builds with First Nations peoples and organizations, as reflected in its Reconciliation Action Plan.

From the moment they join, individuals at Johnson Winter Slattery have the chance to make a difference through pro bono work. This invaluable experience allows them to broaden their legal expertise while supporting low-income individuals, disadvantaged groups, and marginalized members of the Australian community. The firm collaborates with established and emerging charitable organizations, taking on their legal challenges so they can focus on the causes they support. Notable pro bono clients include Desert Pea Media, KYUP!, The Social Outfit, Be Centre, Council for Homeless Persons, Noah's Ark, St Vincent de Paul Society Sydney, Legal Aid NSW, and Mary's House. Additionally, graduates often participate in secondment arrangements with organizations such as Marrickville Legal Centre, Youth Law Australia, Law Access, and PIAC.

Recruitment Process

How do I apply?

Just submit your CV, covering letter and current official academic transcript via our website. You can address this to Wilma Lewis, our Senior People & Development Consultant.

What's next?

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a 'get to know us' virtual presentation and an interview with one of our Partners and the People & Development team. You'll also be invited to drinks and networking evening, where you can meet our partners and lawyers to find out why they think Johnson Winter Slattery is such a great place to work. If you're successful, we'll be in touch to let you know when you start!

Interview tips

Make sure you tell us why you want to work at our firm and why you think you're a great fit. We'll want to know about your previous work experience, university studies, other achievements and any other experiences you want to share with us. There'll also be a few behavioural questions.

The selection criteria:

If you are enthusiastic, driven to succeed and want to continually develop your skills, you'll fit right in. We're looking for graduates who have not only excelled academically but have great communications skills, thrive in a collaborative environment and want to deliver legal advice to create the best outcomes for our clients.

Remuneration & Career Growth

Our grad remuneration is competitive and on par to the top tier firms. Our lawyer salaries will increase year on year and there is potential for their salary to significantly increase as their career progresses.

We offer other benefits including, taxi vouchers if you work late, dinner in the office, firm hosted lunches and dinners. Opportunities to travel on a needs basis, secondment (client and probono) opportunities also.

Clerkship (Vacation Clerk)

  • Penultimate year and final year law student
  • Induction, practice area talks
  • Coach and buddy program
  • Emphasis on learning how the firm operates and practical application of legal skills across a variety of practice areas
  • Learn on the job, working closely with partners and clients

Graduate

  • At the completion of university studies
  • Complete College of Law
  • Graduate Academy – core legal skills training workshop
  • Mentor and buddy program
  • Emphasis on learning how the firm operates and practical application of legal skills across a variety of practice areas
  • Building commercial acumen

Associate

  • On being admitted
  • Begin to specialise at 2-3 years PQE
  • Junior Lawyer Development Program
  • Continue to build legal and professional knowledge
  • Access to clients
  • Opportunity for secondments
  • Continue to develop commercial awareness and acumen

Senior Associate

  • Consideration for appointment, generally at 5-6 years PQE
  • Established in practice area of interest
  • Sound legal and professional knowledge
  • Manage the conduct of matters autonomously
  • Develop client relationship skills
  • Develop commercial acumen

Partner/Special Counsel

  • Consideration at 10+ years PQE
  • Thoroughly developed legal and professional skills
  • Well developed client relationship skills
  • Strong commercial acumen
  • Technical competence – consistently producing correct and best legal solutions

Our team structure means that our junior lawyers are not tied down to specific practices areas. You will work with partners across our national offices, and a broad range of practice areas and sectors, throughout your early career.

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
4.4
Overall score based on 14 reviews
They Score Best in…
7.8
Career Prospects
8.5
Culture
7.8
Satisfaction
7.7
Work Hours
7.8
Career Prospects
8.5
Culture
7.8
Satisfaction
7.7
Work Hours
What Graduates Say About Them
  • You are given the opportunity to try many different areas of law without being confined to a specific team.
  • I like that there is a true non-siloed approach for graduates so that you can experience all practice areas. Despite being a mid-sized firm we do a lot of what would be considered "top-tier" work for interesting and multinational clients. There is a very hands-on approach here and I am able to have direct access to senior practitioners. The hours are good.
  • Flexible and understanding culture, great people, diverse and engaging work
  • We don't do rotations so you're able to work in a variety of different areas and can ask to work on specific things you are interested in. Everyone is lovely to work with and are very accommodating and flexible.
  • Sometimes it is difficult to get consistent and ongoing work.
  • The non-siloed approach comes with its challenges in managing different commitments across different practice groups as well as searching out your own work. If you have a can-do attitude and good time management skills you can overcome these challenges.

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Perth.
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
L
Law, Legal Studies & Justice
Current Jobs & Opportunities

Internship, Clerkship or Placement

Canberra
Leading and proudly independent Australian law firm. Great opportunity to receive training and mentoring from industry recognised partners and lawyers
Applications Close
9 Jul 2024
Start Date
20 Nov 2024
Salary
AUD 65,000 - 75,000 / Year

Internship, Clerkship or Placement

Melbourne
Leading and proudly independent Australian law firm. Great opportunity to receive training and mentoring from industry recognised partners and lawyers
Applications Close
13 Aug 2024
Start Date
20 Nov 2024
Salary
AUD 65,000 - 75,000 / Year


Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories
The firm exhibits a strong commitment to Pro Bono work and clearly recognises the need for the legal industry to assist those beyond the top end of town.

Heather Pym

  • Graduate stories
The firm exhibits a strong commitment to Pro Bono work and clearly recognises the need for the legal industry to assist those beyond the top end of town.

Heather Pym

  • Graduate stories
There is a really strong culture at JWS for involving graduates and clerks in high-level work and exposing them to end-to-end processes.

Madison Lardner

  • Graduate stories
There is a really strong culture at JWS for involving graduates and clerks in high-level work and exposing them to end-to-end processes.

Madison Lardner

  • Graduate stories
The firm exhibits a strong commitment to Pro Bono work and clearly recognises the need for the legal industry to assist those beyond the top end of town.

Heather Pym

  • Graduate stories
The firm exhibits a strong commitment to Pro Bono work and clearly recognises the need for the legal industry to assist those beyond the top end of town.

Heather Pym

  • Graduate stories
There is a really strong culture at JWS for involving graduates and clerks in high-level work and exposing them to end-to-end processes.

Madison Lardner

  • Graduate stories
There is a really strong culture at JWS for involving graduates and clerks in high-level work and exposing them to end-to-end processes.

Madison Lardner


A Day In The Life Of


  • Day in the life

Georgia Marwick

We have a great low-leverage model at JWS so juniors are really heavily involved.
  • Day in the life

Georgia Marwick

We have a great low-leverage model at JWS so juniors are really heavily involved.
  • Day in the life

Jack Morey

In the early years of working at JWS, you get the opportunity to work in a wide variety of practice areas rather than settling in a specific team.
  • Day in the life

Jack Morey

In the early years of working at JWS, you get the opportunity to work in a wide variety of practice areas rather than settling in a specific team.
  • Day in the life

Georgia Marwick

We have a great low-leverage model at JWS so juniors are really heavily involved.
  • Day in the life

Georgia Marwick

We have a great low-leverage model at JWS so juniors are really heavily involved.
  • Day in the life

Jack Morey

In the early years of working at JWS, you get the opportunity to work in a wide variety of practice areas rather than settling in a specific team.
  • Day in the life

Jack Morey

In the early years of working at JWS, you get the opportunity to work in a wide variety of practice areas rather than settling in a specific team.