Choosing the right Practical Legal Training (PLT) provider is a critical step on your journey from law student to lawyer. The right choice depends on your career goals, learning style, and personal circumstances. Before you enrol, you must ask these five questions to make an informed decision and set yourself up for success.

Your first 90 days as a junior lawyer are a critical period. Your supervisors are evaluating more than just your legal knowledge; they're assessing your reliability, attitude, and judgment. Here are the unspoken rules you need to follow to build trust and prove you're a valuable member of the team.

For law graduates, commercial acumen is the crucial skill that bridges academic knowledge with real-world value. It’s the ability to provide legal advice that is not just technically correct, but also strategic and aligned with a client's business and financial goals.

Writing a great letter of advice isn't about using complex legal jargon; it's about communicating your expertise clearly and simply. The modern client expects clarity, and providing it shows a true mastery of the law, builds trust, and helps avoid future disputes.

A partner asks you to research a legal problem, and your first instinct is to Google it. We've all been there. But relying on quick searches for professional legal work is a major risk. To truly stand out, you need a methodical approach that goes far beyond a web browser.

To many, time recording is just an administrative chore. But from a partner's perspective, it's a vital tool for justifying bills, managing budgets, and evaluating performance. Vague entries like "Work on file" invite client scrutiny and make you look less professional.

As a supervising partner, I'll let you in on a secret: the quality of a junior lawyer's file notes is the clearest sign of their potential. While it might feel like busywork, a perfect file note is a critical legal instrument. It's a record of the matter, a risk management tool, and a direct insight into your competence.

Nailing a legal interview means more than just knowing the law—it means showing you can apply it. Behavioural questions, like "Tell me about a time you worked under pressure," are your chance to prove you have the practical skills for a legal career. The key to acing them is the STAR method.

Most candidates see "Why this firm?" as a simple formality. The smartest candidates see it as their biggest opportunity. This seemingly innocent question is a sophisticated diagnostic tool, designed to probe your true motivation, diligence, and strategic thinking. Our definitive guide goes beyond generic advice, showing you how to transform your answer from a perfunctory check-box exercise into a powerful, persuasive narrative. Learn how to meticulously research a firm, leverage insider insights from networking, and structure your answer using proven frameworks to differentiate yourself and land the job.

You’ve earned your degree—now, how do you stand out? Your resume lists your qualifications, but in a competitive market, a portfolio offers something more: proof. It’s the bridge between academic knowledge and professional skill, transforming you from a candidate with potential into one with tangible abilities.

Landing a law grad role in Australia is tough, and your CV is your first chance to stand out. It's more than just a list of your achievements—it's your personal marketing document. In a competitive market where recruiters spend seconds on each application, your CV needs to be polished, professional, and powerful. Our Ultimate Australian Law Graduate CV Checklist for 2026 breaks down exactly what you need to do, from crafting a compelling professional headline to highlighting your unique skills and experiences. Use this guide to ensure your CV is interview-ready.

Finishing your law degree is a major accomplishment. Now, with Practical Legal Training (PLT) being the last step before admission, international law graduates in Australia face a clear choice. The Institute of Online Legal Training (IOLT) is the ideal solution, designed specifically to meet the unique needs of international students.

Succeeding in the competitive legal field requires more than just a law degree. Law firms are looking for well-rounded graduates who can bring a diverse set of skills and a proactive mindset to their teams. If you're aiming to secure a position at a top firm, understanding what they value is the first step. Here’s a breakdown of what law firms are looking for in today's law graduates.