From key milestone programs, to flexible learning options, we’ve developed a practical and interactive development program to allow you to enhance your market leading skills in areas such as negotiation skills, drafting, client relationship development and leadership.
What we offer
When you join us, we’ll give you all the opportunities you need to grow your career – whether you’re looking to transition into a new specialist area, become a partner or develop your current expertise.
Supported to reach your goals with flexible training and development plans, you may have the opportunity to work internationally to further your career as you become an integral part of our business.
Career opportunities
Solicitors and Senior Associates
You’ll play a vital role advising on complex and critical matters for some of the world’s biggest and most respected organisations. We’ll develop your skills in business development, commercial understanding and client contact. We'll provide you with the technical and skills development to support you in your roles.
As your experience and capabilities grow, and you continue to impress in your role, there may be opportunities to take up international or client secondments.
Executive Counsel
The role of Executive Counsel is designed for a highly skilled senior lawyer with experience, expertise and client confidence to operate independently, You’ll have a high level of technical legal capability and team leadership capabilities. Your primary objective will be to deliver exceptional legal services, and you will also play an adjunct-leadership role within your area of practice. In this role, you will benefit from a suite of formal learning programs to further build your capability during your career with us.
Special Counsel
The role of Special Counsel is designed for a highly skilled senior lawyer with experience, expertise and client confidence to operate independently. You’ll have a high level of technical legal capability in your area of specialisation and will also be involved in building the business and sharing knowledge in your niche area. In this role, you will benefit from a suite of formal learning programs to further build your capability during your career with us.
Professional Support Lawyer (PSL)
As a PSL, you will be expected to be at the forefront of law and practice in your specialist area and to use your knowledge and communication skills to advise, support and train our lawyers. We might also ask you to assist in marketing relevant practice areas by producing briefings and articles and by speaking at conferences. We offer bespoke training opportunities to PSLs, including presentation skills development.
Alternative career paths
While the ambition of many of our legal professionals is to be a partner, we support flexible career development for talented people as we appreciate not everyone follows the same path. Ongoing and open dialogue with your relevant practice group partners and HR is encouraged to discuss and track your career aims. Alternative career paths such as ‘Of Counsel’ and professional support lawyer roles are opportunities to apply your legal skills in a different way and help you maximise your potential.
Your development
Associate Development Centre
This programme aims to develop your skills and abilities in project management. It includes sessions on project management methodology, managing finance, client relationship management and managing others.
Senior Associate
As a senior associate, your ongoing training and development will continue with a focus on personal leadership, managing teams, developing juniors, financial awareness and business development.
Potential Partner Development Centre
This programme is aimed at those who are considered by the global practice leaders to have the potential in due course to be partners. You’ll attend the development centre approximately two years ahead of the potential promotion and complete a series of activities typical of those undertaken by partners. The intention is to help you identify your strengths and development areas, and to produce a bespoke development plan to work on as you progress in the promotions process.
Individual coaching is also available for associates – to support you at key transition times and enable you to plan and reflect in order to achieve your full potential.
Partner Level
All new partners attend a tailored induction, to support you in your transition to partnership. What’s more, we continue to develop your people, business and practice management skills as well as your leadership and business development skills on an ongoing basis
New Partner Induction
The induction provides clarity for new partners – helping you to map out your role and future milestones for success. The programme enables our partners to share what is different about being a partner at Herbert Smith Freehills and to take ownership for building the future of the firm.
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
You will have the opportunity to receive leading and bespoke training and development to support your future success. Our fully-integrated modular program of legal and business skills training will enable you to develop the capabilities, mind-set and acquire the knowledge you need to reach your full potential at Herbert Smith Freehills.
BENEFITS
We offer a competitive salary and benefits package to reward and support you during your career. As part of this, we offer competitive bonus potential and a range of other benefits for eligible employees including paid parental leave, free or subsidised gym access, insurances, and access to corporate discounts on various other benefits. You will also have the opportunity to participate in a number of social and sporting activities throughout the year. Click here to view our benefits in Australia.
