2026 Law Graduate Program

Russell Kennedy; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional mentoring

Regular CPD seminars

Flexible work options

Job summary

A leading commercial law firm in Melbourne is seeking final-year law students for its 2026 Law Graduate Program. The program offers rotations across various legal practice areas, providing hands-on experience and mentorship. Ideal candidates will be in their final year of legal studies and not currently enrolled in Practical Legal Training. Apply with your cover letter and CV by November 2, 2025.

Qualifications

• Must be in final year of legal studies.
• Candidates must not have commenced or be currently undertaking Practical Legal Training.

Responsibilities

• Participate in legal rotations across different practice groups.
• Work closely with teams, principals, and clients to gain practical experience.

Education

Final year of legal studies

Job description

2026 Law Graduate Program – Russell Kennedy

Russell Kennedy's 12‑month Law Graduate Program offers a dynamic rotation through four distinct practice groups, giving you the opportunity to build a strong foundation across multiple areas of law.

Designed to provide immersive, hands‑on experience, the program allows graduates to work closely with different teams, principals, and clients. Each rotation offers exposure to a variety of legal matters, industries, and work styles, enabling you to apply the knowledge gained in your formal studies to real‑world practice. This is your chance to dive deep into meaningful work, develop your professional network, and discover where your legal career can take you.

Russell Kennedy partners with the College of Law enabling graduates to complete their Practical Legal Training within the first 18 weeks of commencement of the program.

From day one, each Law Graduate is paired with a dedicated Graduate Lead who provides ongoing guidance throughout the program. Regular check‑ins with your Graduate Lead offer the opportunity to discuss career progression, rotation experiences, and personal development goals. To further support your transition from university to full‑time legal practice, you’ll also be assigned a Rotational Supervisor and Graduate Support within each practice group. These team members provide day‑to‑day mentorship and help you navigate your new role with confidence.

You’ll receive on‑the‑job feedback during each rotation, complemented by a formal review session with People & Culture and a Principal at the end of every rotation. Our comprehensive Learning and Development program is designed to equip you with the practical skills, legal knowledge, and professional confidence needed to thrive. As part of your ongoing development, you’ll have access to regular in‑house CPD seminars, client events, and external training opportunities, ensuring you’re well‑prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of a successful legal career.

Further Information

To apply for Russell Kennedy’s 2026 Law Graduate Program, candidates must be in their final year of legal studies and must not have commenced or be currently undertaking Practical Legal Training (PLT).

Please include a copy of your cover letter outlining why you’re interested in joining Russell Kennedy, along with your CV and academic transcript.

Applications can be submitted to:

• Vanessa Maio – People & Culture Coordinator
• Russell Kennedy
• Level 18, 500 Bourke Street
• Melbourne VIC 3000

Applications will close at 11:59 pm on Sunday 2 November 2025.

Equal Opportunity & Diversity

Russell Kennedy is a commercial law firm committed to providing exceptional legal strategies and solutions to our clients, guided by market‑leading expertise across our key sectors of focus. We respect and celebrate the things that make each of us different. The firm is dedicated to creating an environment that is characterised by equal access and respected participation of all groups and individuals, irrespective of all differences, including culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity, age, religion, personal circumstances, physical features, abilities and disabilities, socioeconomics and sexual orientation.

Russell Kennedy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is certified as a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality. We are committed to being an LGBTIQ‑friendly and disability confident employer. The firm supports and promotes a range of initiatives including the Russell Kennedy Women’s Network and our Diversity and Inclusion committee, with three key focuses: Access RK (Accessibility and Disability), Kaleidoscope (Cultural Diversity) and SPARKLE (LGBTIQ).

Russell Kennedy is dedicated to creating and participating in a meaningful process of reconciliation as part of the broader national reconciliation movement. Our key aims in embarking on our first RAP are to celebrate the deep knowledge of First Nations communities, the longest continuing cultures in the world, acknowledge past wrongs and to begin to build a structured future together where we can play our part in righting those wrongs through our own reconciliation initiatives.

We acknowledge the importance of work‑life balance. Each candidate has access to flexible work options and workplace adjustments including alternate formats where required. If you require an adjustment during the recruitment process please contact Vanessa Maio at [e-mail] or 03 9609 6812.