As a law graduate you’ve earned the right to have a stimulating and evolving career. If you’re looking for a people-focused performance-driven law firm that will give you genuine opportunities quickly, then apply for a position at Deacons.
Open career
Being who you want to be
By starting your career at Deacons you will have every opportunity to develop the career you want. You may have your sights already set on being Managing Partner of a leading law firm. Perhaps you're focused on a particular practice area or industry and aim to be the best in this field. You could be on the road to a great future in politics, commerce, or as in-house counsel.
Alternatively, you might have aspirations to set up your own business and be truly entrepreneurial. Maybe you haven't yet decided exactly which path you want to follow. As long as you have the academic record, the personality and the initiative we're looking for, however, we're open to helping you be who you want to be.
Our flexible work practices give everybody at Deacons the chance to cut back when needed yet excel at all times. Secondments within the firm across practice groups and state boundaries, to client offices, and overseas are some of the ways you can broaden your career horizons and develop the skills and knowledge that will make full use of your degree. Whoever you want to be, join us and find out how to get there.
Open book - a real-life story at Deacons
Name: Nathaniel Rowe
Topic: Secondment to Telstra (no cardigan required)
I'm a graduate of Sydney University law school and joined Deacons as a Graduate Clerk in February 2007. Prior to this I participated in the 2005/2006 Summer Clerk program working in the Dispute Resolution Group. With an undergraduate degree in international business from Griffith University and a graduate research degree in humanities from Akita University, my ambition as a lawyer is to stay motivated, inquisitive and always expectant about what my chosen career can throw up in the way of interesting challenges.
Imagine my response, therefore, even though it took me somewhat by surprise, when I was asked if I would like to go on a secondment to Telstra. Apart from the ribbing about the cardigan-wearing culture awaiting me at the client end, I jumped at the chance. Not only have I enjoyed the immediacy of working directly with clients and the responsibility that comes from being the first port of call, but the lawyers I've been working with have given me a huge amount of support and mentoring. I have yet to see a cardigan, but the variety of daily work has been very welcome.
When you're starting out in the law, the broader the work experience - both in the practice and on secondment - the better placed you are to decide what area of law it is that you really want to focus on and the people you like working with.
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Open Market
Thrive as the intelligent alternative
Businesses have an abundance of quality legal firms to choose from. Most offer a high level of sophistication and skill. Most offer a similar breadth of knowledge and services. And yet our clients tell us that there are vital differences that make dealing with Deacons a more attractive proposition and a better commercial choice.
These differences - in relationships, understanding, value, consistency, foresight and access - combine to form The Intelligent Alternative. It's what Deacons are valued for by some of the biggest names in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. We tend not to shout about it, and to be honest we spend more time working with our clients than worrying about rankings.
If you have the capacity to understand and deliver more than the legal expertise expected from any leading firm, go to our website for the best examples of our client work, our media commentary and why we indeed thrive as the intelligent alternative.
Open book - a real-life story at Deacons
Name: David Jewkes
Topic: Thumbs up spells satisfaction
I joined Deacons in February 2006 as a graduate from the University of Notre Dame Australia, and by gaining different experience across practice groups I have now decided to specialise in corporate mergers and acquisitions. In 2007 Deacons were ranked 7th for the volume of M&A deals, and although it's good to have such a strong position in the field, for me the greater satisfaction comes from the individual relationships with clients. Every piece of work contributes to the overall transaction, and the success depends on how well we understand each other, and the big picture. The clear and direct communication we have internally as a team is reflected in how we get things done with our clients.
One of the most rewarding experiences, although a simple act in itself, was getting the thumbs up signal and a big smile from a Chinese client. Although his English was fluent, in the context of explaining the substantial shareholder requirements of the Corporations Act I had to think carefully in order to explain the concepts in a language that was simple to follow. His response, when he fully understood, reminded me that communication is not only about words, but also about comprehension and the ways in which we can show that in a non-verbal way. I know that whichever direction my career takes, experiences such as this are going to put me in good stead to succeed in any market.
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Open Arms
Sharing expertise and experiences
We might be a large law firm, with over 600 lawyers in Australia alone, but even during high periods of growth and consolidation we have been true to our belief that good people are worth their weight in gold. At Deacons you will find genuine people with a real interest in developing the next generation of lawyers and leaders, mothers fathers aunts and uncles, sports fans, culture vultures, and more.
All our people have the advantage not only of structured training and development programs but access to a broad range of individuals who truly enjoy sharing their expertise and experiences.
As a result of doing the right thing, not simply having policies in place, we are officially recognised as an Employer of Choice for Women. Equally, our early adoption and introduction many years ago of a "Green Team" has now resulted in a charter for Future First, our environmental sustainability group.
Open book - a real-life story at Deacons
Name: Paras Mishra
Topic: Making change and creating opportunity
It was clear when I joined Deacons from a smaller "boutique" firm that I had found a firm not only big enough to support structured training and development, but which had a partnership that was not out of touch with the individuals on their team. This balance was really important in helping me progress to Senior Associate a year ahead of when I might have otherwise thought of it myself.
As a lawyer in the Property team in the Perth office, although I had been working on some interesting matters, I looking for a boost - personally as well as professionally. I decided to ask my Partner whether a secondment to another state might be available. Within 6 weeks I was off on a 6-month secondment to the Sydney office where I developed stronger relations with my interstate colleagues and learned a lot about how the "other side" worked. Interestingly enough, however, I also realised that the grass wasn't necessarily greener and that there were the same, if not better opportunities for me in Perth and at the end of my secondment I returned to my home office. All this came about because my Partner understood that it would be a good opportunity for me, it was something I needed at the time, and he could make it happen. Similarly, when he nominated me for Senior Associate he knew (even before I did) that I had the ability and confidence to take on the role. It's that level of personal interest in all the members of his team that makes him a great leader.
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Open Doors
Respect for the individual
Being accessible to clients and communicating with them openly is a vital component of Deacons' success. Direct contact does not just equate to better service. It also forges much closer relationships with our clients and creates opportunities to learn and demonstrate our value.
Likewise, inside the walls of every Deacons office, we operate and communicate in a similar open door style. We work across teams, and we keep our teams to a manageable size. Instructions are direct, not handed to you down the line. Again, better communication, better understanding, and more opportunities to learn and demonstrate your value.
In an environment where hierarchy is history, and respect for the individual is king, your contribution to the success of the firm is highly valued. Your achievements are recognised and rewarded.
Open book - a real-life story at Deacons
Name: Calvin Tan
Topic: Singapore to Sydney (and Jakarta now and then)
"Moving from Deacons Singapore to Deacons in Sydney really wasn't my idea at all, and I didn't even know to begin with if it would work out. The partner I was working for in Singapore, however, was doing what happens all over Deacons - looking out for me and guiding me along. Not only has the secondment worked out well, but the new skills I am learning and the interaction with lawyers across Asia and Australia is giving me a really good outlook on dealing with different people, and helping a range of businesses manage their legal issues.
In general I think being a lawyer, particularly in a firm like Deacons, is a great way to develop a whole range of skills that will be valuable in any career. As a lawyer, we are taught to think in a rational, logical way. When it gets put into practice, there are all the other skills too such as client management, HR, PR, writing skills and speaking skills - things that you need to do well in any professional job. Deacons has certainly opened my eyes to all of this, and given me the opportunity to learn quickly as well as move around."
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Open Minds
Think smart. Go far
To continue to succeed, organisations must continue to grow. Growing not necessarily in size, but in how we develop our business and operate in the future. Your clever thinking, fresh perspective and enthusiasm will fuel the generation of ideas. An injection of new blood, sometimes questioning old ways, ensures we aren't stuck in a slow, old-fashioned bureaucracy.
Everybody is talking about innovation but at Deacons we have created the right cultural and work environment for good ideas to evolve and be put into practice. We have an open mind when it comes to using new technology and we are not afraid to give new ways of doing things a go. How else would our technology and media practice be leading the field in providing advice relating to virtual worlds such as Second Life and already be participating in real time immersive meetings? Go far.
Open book - a real-life story at Deacons
Name: Rechelle Brost
Topic: Finding the right strategy
When you work in an industry like Construction & Engineering, the practice I belong to in Brisbane, you not only have the legislative minefield to negotiate but the complexities of the industry itself. Multiple parties, massive projects, millions of dollars and usually tight timeframes. Keeping your mind as well as your ears and eyes open is the only way to make sure you're not missing an important issue, or even an opportunity.
At Deacons I've always been able to talk directly to the partners and others in the practice, sometimes just to throw ideas around. Sometimes you might be off on a tangent but if you've talked through all the aspects (likely and unlikely) you'll find the best, and maybe not so obvious, way forward. That smarter way of thinking, and the processes involved is difficult to define but it's certainly something that you can learn through participation, particularly when there is no fear of an idea being dismissed without consideration.
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Open Style
More than good looks
If you think it's important to work in a good-looking, stylish and well-designed workplace, you're absolutely right. But there's more to Deacons' award-winning interior design and colour schemes than you might realise.
Innovation, collaboration, and leadership are generated in an environment that provides flexibility and space efficiency. Better work practices and communities are developed in a workplace with a mix of open and closed meeting places and office space. Moving around, being inspired, just finding a new headspace. For many years we've worked hard to create spaces and places that make work less hard. Our workplaces work, they don't just look good.
Open book - a real-life story at Deacons
Name: Kate Andersen
Topic: The power of colour
Our office space is modern and I'm really proud to show people where I work. Although some people are surprised when they see all the stylish fittings, they are definitely impressed. The different colours used on each floor don't just help you identify where you are, but they actually make a difference to how I feel. A change of colour is refreshing and it doesn't feel like we are all the same. Being able to see people through the glass means that you can tell if people are busy, happy, or even sad. Just giving people a wave makes the office much friendlier and I like working in a place where you can see people smile. The meeting rooms give everybody the space they need to get together for work, and the kitchens are at the centre of every floor which are natural places to get together.
Just as somebody's own desk gives away a bit about themselves, the Deacons offices say something about the organisation - it's different, stylish and an exciting place to work.
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