We regret to advise that as Jackson McDonald has filled it's full complement of 2011 graduate positions we will not be participating in the standard offer system.

Changes to the Graduate Recruitment Monitoring Scheme

The Law Society of Western Australia has announced its decision to discontinue the Graduate Recruitment Monitoring Scheme. As such WA law firms are no longer required to follow the recruitment dates set by the Law Society of WA.

Following this announcement Jackson  McDonald has made the decision to stand by the original recruitment dates set by the Law Society for seasonal clerkships in 2010/2011 as published on our website. The dates will remain as follows:

Please note: Only students in their penultimate year of study will be considered for a 2010/2011 vacation clerkship. Unfortunately Jackson McDonald will not be accepting applications from students in their final year of study.  

Vacation Clerkship - Summer 2010/2011 & Winter 2011

Applications open Monday 9 August 2010

Applications close Friday 20 August 2010

Interviews commence Monday 23 August 2010

Offers will be made on Wednesday 29 September   2010  (from 9am must be held for 2 hours): Dates for Summer 2010/2011 Clerkships are: 29 November – 17 December 2010 17 January – 4 February 2011

The recruitment process for 2011/12 is currently under review by Jackson McDonald.

Please note ALL applications are to be made through CV Mail

Graduate Recruitment Programme

During your graduate year and restricted practice year, you will rotate through three of our main practice areas. Each rotation - usually eight months in duration - will allow you to gain skills and experience in the practice of a particular team. Rotations will be discussed with you before your placement in these teams.

We see this process of rotation as being an opportunity for you to find the area in which you are best suited.

As a graduate, you are assigned a 'buddy' - usually a restricted practitioner or 1st year practitioner - who will assist you with your introduction to our firm. Our 'open door' policy enables all staff to consult directly with partners, senior staff and management.

Performance appraisals and feedback

In your first two years with us, you will participate in performance reviews at the conclusion of each rotation and thereafter biannually. These reviews are one of the ways we ensure you receive regular, constructive feedback on your performance. They are also an opportunity for you to agree future objectives and discuss ongoing career development plans on a timely basis.

In addition, our Staff Liaison Partner will regularly meet with you and your peers to discuss topical matters and individual workloads. 

Induction and training 

We provide you with a comprehensive induction programme designed to equip you with all the necessary knowledge and skills to operate effectively in the firm including training in our Library/Internet research facilities computer network, word processing and Email packages.
Your first week with the firm will also include:

   •   a brief tour of the courts
   •   a seminar on attending at chambers
   •   a half day team building workshop with your peers
   •   a client services & marketing workshop
   •   a workshop on 'your role in the financials of the firm

In your first year and as part of the Legal Practice Board's pre-admission requirements, you will be required to complete PLTprovided through the College of Law.

The firm meets all costs associated with your attendance.

Applying for the Graduate Program 

This year Jackson McDonald is making a change to the Graduate recruitment process.

We will be making offers for 2011 immediately following the summer and winter clerkship programmes, rather than waiting until September 2011. Only those graduates who are completing their law degree by the end of first semester 2011 will be considered, by us, for an offer to commence articles in 2011.

The aim of this change is to streamline the process. It does not mean that students who have not undertaken a vacation clerkship with us, or who have not received an offer after a vacation clerkship programme, will be precluded from our 2011 graduate program. It is likely we will run a smaller interview process in line with Law Society guidelines in September 2011, to enable us to review any such candidates and fill our intake requirements. Clearly the extent to which we participate in the September process will be dictated be the number of places we still have to fill.

Vacation Clerkships

A Vacation Clerkship with Jackson McDonald provides undergraduate law students with the opportunity to experience working in a commercial law firm. The programme gives both the Vacationer and Jackson McDonald the opportunity to discover whether our firm is right for you.

Our Vacation Clerkships give you exposure to real legal work. In addition, mentoring is provided from a variety of experienced fee earners including Partners. As a vacation clerk you are given the opportunity to participate in our CPD programme and have the opportunity to work for a large variety of practice areas.

Vacation Clerkships are an integral step of our recruitment process for the Articles program, so if you’re interested in a legal career with Jackson McDonald please apply in line with the dates below.

Applications to be made through CV Mail.

For further information, please contact our Human Resources Advisor, Aideen Murphy on (08) 9426 6736 or email hr@jacmac.com.au