Legal work experience is one of the most valuable steps you can take before becoming a lawyer. While your law degree builds legal knowledge, practical experience helps you develop workplace skills, build confidence and gain a better understanding of life in the legal profession.

Whether you’re still studying, preparing for Practical Legal Training (PLT) or looking to strengthen your CV, there are plenty of opportunities to gain meaningful legal experience.

Why legal work experience matters

Work experience allows you to see how legal practice operates beyond the classroom. Depending on the organisation and your level of experience, you may have the opportunity to:

• Conduct legal research and prepare written memoranda.
• Draft and review legal documents.
• Observe client interviews, mediations and court hearings.
• Develop professional communication and workplace skills.
• Gain insight into how lawyers manage client matters.

Every experience is different, but each one helps build practical capability and confidence.

Where can you gain legal work experience?

Legal work experience is available across a wide range of organisations, including:

• Law firms of all sizes.
• Government departments.
• Courts and tribunals.
• In-house legal teams.
• Community legal centres.
• Barristers’ chambers (subject to specific requirements).

Exploring different workplaces can help you discover the type of legal environment that best suits your interests.

Start with your university

Many universities have strong relationships with law firms, community legal centres and industry partners that offer work experience opportunities.

Your lecturers, careers team and law students’ society are valuable sources of advice and can often connect you with employers or volunteer opportunities. Some universities also offer clinical legal education subjects, allowing you to gain practical legal experience while completing your degree.

Volunteer at a Community Legal Centre

Community legal centres (CLCs) are one of the best places to gain practical legal experience while making a positive impact in your local community.

As a volunteer, you may assist with legal research, client matters and administrative tasks while learning from experienced legal professionals. Many CLCs have waiting lists, so it’s worth applying as early as possible.

Apply for clerkships

Clerkships are another excellent way to gain legal experience, particularly if you’re interested in commercial law.

Most clerkship programs are designed for students in the penultimate year of their law degree and provide several weeks of practical experience within a law firm. Many firms recruit graduate lawyers directly from their clerkship programs, making them an important pathway into the profession.

Don’t overlook small and medium-sized firms either. While they may not offer formal clerkship programs, many welcome expressions of interest from students seeking work experience.

Try a virtual internship

Virtual internships are a flexible way to gain practical experience and strengthen your CV.

Leo Cussen’s free virtual internships, delivered in partnership with Forage, allow you to explore real legal tasks in Family Law, Criminal Law and Human Rights Law. Developed by experienced practitioners, these online programs provide valuable insight into legal practice and can be completed at your own pace.

Once completed, you can include your virtual internship on your CV as evidence of your practical learning.

Professional placement during PLT

Professional placement is a core component of Practical Legal Training.

At Leo Cussen, you’ll complete a 15-day professional placement (20 days in WA), giving you the opportunity to apply your skills in a real legal workplace.

You can choose to:

• Organise your own placement with guidance and support from our placements team.
• Have Leo Cussen organise your placement through our extensive legal network.

Either option provides valuable workplace experience before admission.

Every experience counts

There isn’t one perfect pathway into the legal profession. Whether you volunteer at a community legal centre, complete a clerkship, undertake a virtual internship or gain professional placement through PLT, every experience helps you build practical skills, confidence and professional connections.

The earlier you start seeking opportunities, the more prepared you’ll be for your future legal career.