Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer

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4.3
  • 1,000 - 50,000 employees

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Law

We’re excited about the future and you’ll help us build something even better than we have today. Our training is tailored and meaningful. We’ll ask you to be open to the experience and what's required. You’ll discover what sort of lawyer you want to be and become an excellent one.

As a leading international law firm, we’re recognised leaders in demanding contentious matters, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private transactions. From the outset, you’ll work with respected colleagues on high-quality matters and your experience will help you grow an international perspective. We’re immersed in the many challenges facing our clients. We’re interested and resourceful. We understand the part technology plays in the delivery of legal services. We want to make a positive impact. You’ll have the opportunity to engage with this with an open mind and curiosity. Known for our diverse perspectives and renowned for our culture, being human, bold and outstanding are more than our values: you’ll discover it’s our lived experience. And by being ambitious for your growth and ours, we’ll achieve our goals together.

At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, we believe that exceptional graduates possess both technical excellence and a growth mindset. We value individuals who bring their best, are curious and who constantly seek to learn and improve from every experience. These graduates embrace challenges, viewing them not as obstacles but as opportunities to stretch their capabilities and achieve outstanding results. We're looking for people who are proactive, demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to make a real impact, fostering strong relationships with clients and colleagues across our global network.

Clerkship program

We select many of our graduates through our vacation clerkships. During this immersive experience, you’ll receive hands-on practical experience, as you work on some of the diverse challenges facing the team you’re collaborating with.  You will gain a deeper understanding of life at the firm and what your future could look like if you join us. Some key features include the opportunity to:

  • Sit within a specific team, delivering real work for key clients
  • Before you join, submit a preference for a team to tailor your experience
  • Navigate the first step of your career with partner and graduate mentoring support
  • Attend workshops and presentations covering all our practice areas
  • Contribute to our pro bono practice
  • Work with cutting edge technology through our innovation projects
  • Networking opportunities to meet people across the firm

Joining us

We offer a range of summer and winter clerkships across our Australian offices. If you have queries about graduate or vacation clerk positions, please visit our website.

Recruitment Process

Online Application

You’ll need to upload the following:

  • A brief cover letter outlining your interests and suitability for a position  at the firm
  • A current CV outlining work experience, extracurricular activities,  academic and non-academic achievements
  • A recent copy of your academic transcript.

As part of the online application, we’ll also ask you to answer a few short questions about your interest in Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer and commercial law generally.

Rare

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is proud to use the Rare Contextual Recruitment System (CRS). The CRS allows us to understand each applicant’s achievements in the context that they have gained. We understand that not every candidate’s achievements look the same on paper – and we want to recruit the best people, from every background.

Interview

While we try to make the interview as relaxed as possible, it is a chance to show us your professional side, so pay attention to all those tips you’ve read about being punctual and presenting in a professional manner. Beyond that, be yourself and try to let us see you at your best.

The interview is intended to be a two-way process and provides an opportunity for you to see what it would be like to work with us, as well as for us to get to know you.

Remember, we want to give you a chance to tell us all about yourself and why you think Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is the right place for you.

Remuneration & Career Growth

  • Competitive salary
  • The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice program
  • Opportunity for 6 month international rotation in one of our international offices
  • Extensive on-the-job support from solicitors, senior associates and partners.
  • Formal learning program through “HSF Kramer Advance”. This program focused on the client, financial and people skills needed to take you to the next step of your career.

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
4.3
Overall score based on 1,237 reviews
They Score Best in…
8.9
Recruitment
8.9
Training
8.7
Office Work Environment
8.7
Culture
What Graduates Say About Them
  • The people at HSF Kramer are some of the most kind and supportive individuals I have worked with. These people are at the top of the legal game and have an incredibly deep understanding of complex legal landscapes, yet take the time to share their knowledge and guide juniors through new and interesting tasks.
  • The graduate induction at HSF Kramer is a fantastic way to learn about the values of the firm as well as expectations and various administrative points prior to starting.
  • My work hours are good. I am currently under the LSA so cannot work past 6.30 but I am rarely called upon to work even that late. I work very reasonable hours and am able to take comfortable breaks throughout the day.
  • HSF Kramer’s graduate program gives me the opportunity to rotate through three teams for six months each. This gives me a breadth of experience which I think helps with my professional progress.
  • The offices at HSF Kramer Sydney are top tier and are in a very central location in Sydney. I am given my own desk which is very handy. The building management team are extremely attentive to our needs and often run fun events.
  • The work life balance in certain teams is not good.
  • The hours can sometimes be long and the pressure can sometimes be high.
  • The requirement with almost no flexibility to do 1 transactional and 1 disputes rotation.
  • Sometimes the workflow can be unpredictable.
  • I think the culture in some teams could be improved.

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth & Sydney
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
B
Business & Management
E
Engineering & Mathematics
H
Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
L
Law, Legal Studies & Justice
S
Sciences
Current Jobs & Opportunities

Internship, Clerkship or Placement

Brisbane
Start Date
23 Nov 2026
Salary
AUD 75,000 - 80,000 / Year

Internship, Clerkship or Placement

Perth
Start Date
23 Nov 2026
Salary
AUD 80,000 - 85,000 / Year


Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories

Tayla Byatt

Juris Doctor at The University of Western Australia (UWA)

  • Graduate stories

Sebastian Davies-Mills

Bachelor of Laws at University of Technology, Sydney (UTS)


A Day In The Life Of


  • Day in the life

Raymond Sun

Bachelor of Laws at University of Technology, Sydney (UTS)

Videos


Life@HSF: Drew & Holly

Sydney Office Managing Partner, Drew Pearson chats with Solicitor, Holly Regan about her experiences on the graduate program and Life@HSF

Life@HSF: Rebecca & Caitlin

Chair and Senior Partner, Rebecca Maslen-Stannage chats with Solicitor, Caitlin Yan about her experiences on the graduate program and Life@HSF