2027 Melbourne Graduate Program

Join a leading insurance law firm and work on complex, high-stakes matters from day one. As part of Kennedys' growing Australian practice, you'll develop expertise alongside top-tier lawyers while connecting to our global insurance law network and international opportunities.

The program

Our 12-month Graduate Program is designed to launch your legal career with comprehensive experience across our core practice areas. You'll complete three rotations through Insurance, Liability, Commercial and/or Healthcare, giving you broad exposure to specialist legal work and the opportunity to discover your areas of interest.

What You'll Do

As a Law Graduate at Kennedys, you'll play a key role supporting Partners and senior lawyers on active files across a diverse range of tasks:

Conduct legal research and prepare chronologiesAssist with drafting court forms, pleadings and legal documentsPrepare first draft advice under supervisionAttend meetings and prepare detailed attendance notesDraft correspondence to parties and courtsReview medical records and expert evidenceSupport trial preparation activitiesAttend mediations and settlement conferencesCo-author articles with senior lawyers for publication

Your development

We're Committed To Your Professional Growth Through

Comprehensive technical training including in-house and external seminarsLive facilitated skills training throughout the yearA dedicated buddy to help you settle in and provide peer supportPartner and senior lawyer supervision and mentorship in each rotationAutonomy and direct client contact from an early stageFully funded Practical Legal Training (PLT) through The College of LawStudy leave provided, including for admissionTransition to an Associate position with a permanent contract upon successful completion of the program

What We're Looking For

To be successful in our Graduate Program, you will:

Demonstrate academic excellence throughout your tertiary studiesBe naturally curious with strong research skills and excellent attention to detailCommunicate clearly and directly in writing and conversationTake initiative in problem-solving and show leadership potentialWork collaboratively, supporting colleagues and contributing to team successBe adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced environmentManage multiple priorities with strong organisational skillsBe ambitious in your professional development and eager to take on responsibility

We value graduates who are approachable in their interactions, straightforward in their communication, supportive of their colleagues, and ambitious about their career growth. You don't need prior knowledge of insurance law - we'll teach you the technical expertise. What matters is that you're ready to learn, contribute meaningfully, and embrace the opportunity to build something distinctive in your legal career.

Hear from current graduates on what attracted them to Kennedys, what a typical day looks like, and their advice for applicants.

Eligibility to apply

To be considered for our graduate program, you must be completing or have recently completed a Bachelor's degree in Law (LLB) or a Juris Doctor (JD), and hold permanent Australian working rights. This program is for students in their final year of study in 2026 who will have their law degree conferred by February 2027, or recent graduates not yet practising.

Applications close Sunday 23 August 2026, 11:59pm AEST

Recruitment process

Online application form, attaching your resume and university transcriptVideo InterviewFinal Interviews will be held between 14 to 23 September (in-person for candidates based in Melbourne)Offers extended on Wednesday 30 SeptemberOffer Acceptance by 11am Thursday 1 October

Please let us know if you require any additional support or adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process.

If you have any questions, please contact our team at: graduates.aus@kennedyslaw.com