Legal Career Options

Are you in year 11 or year 12? Are you considering your future career options? Do you want to become a lawyer but don't know what your career options are? We also had these questions years ago, so we have provided a summary below to help you with your deliberations.

Private Practice

Once you become a lawyer, you can choose to work in private practice as a solicitor. Consider your personal objectives before choosing where to work. For example, it might be best to start at a small or medium firm if your objective is to start your own practice. Our advice is to choose a firm that specialises in an area of law you are interested in.

The Courts

You can become a Judge's Associate. You will act as an assistant to the judge and prepare and maintain paperwork and undertake research for cases. These positions are extremely competitive.

In House Lawyer or Counsel

As an in-house lawyer you will provide legal advice to the corporation you work for. Compliance will be an important part of this role.

Government

You could work in a legal role in government. Both state and federal agencies and departments have legal roles. They also have a graduate program. You could also work as a policy officer where you work on projects that affect changes to laws and regulations. If you're a fan of work-life balance, government is usually the way to go.

Community Legal Centre and NGOs

Community legal centres are not for profit and provide free legal advice to disadvantaged people. You might want to do some work experience at these places. It won't grow your pockets, but it'll make you feel good.

International Pathways

You could get a job overseas. London is a common destination because of the similarities between our legal systems.

Does this sound interesting to you? Want to study law at UNSW? Then you will need to take the law admission test. LAT PLUS offers programs to help you succeed in gaining entry into UNSW Law. Give yourself the best chance by signing up to one of our Accelerator Programs today!