First Nations Legal Internship
"First Nations voices need to be in rooms where decisions are made – our voices deserve to be platformed and prioritised."
Trent Wallace, Head of First Nations Strategy
Trent Wallace, Head of First Nations Strategy
Trent is a Wongaibon person who was raised on Darkinjung country and now resides in Meanjin (Brisbane).
Our two week First Nations Legal Internship lets you experience what it’s like to work in a top tier firm, our culture and the type of work we do. For more information on our First Nations work please visit the First Nations page.
What we can offer you
Real work
We want you to get a realistic understanding of what it's like to be an Ashurst lawyer. During your Internship you may work on cases and transactions, attend court, join client meetings, sit in on client calls, work on pro bono matters, attend CLE sessions and complete research.
Dedicated support
We invest in our people. As an Ashurst First Nations Legal Intern you'll have a dedicated partner mentor, supervising lawyer, buddy and support from the Early Careers Team.
Professional development
Your internship will include many chances for professional (and personal!) development. There are formal training courses, informal "on the job" learning, networking opportunities and exposure to pro bono and social impact work.
The recruitment process
You'll be asked to upload your CV and academic transcript.
We're looking to get to know you a little more and find out why you'd like to be an Ashurst First Nations Legal Intern.
We give you the opportunity to ask more about us too – our interviews are a "two-way street"!
We are committed to making all stages of our recruitment process accessible to candidates with disabilities or long-term health conditions. If you consider yourself to have a disability or a long-term health condition, please feel able to be open about this at any point during the recruitment process. If you are not sure what adjustments you require, we will work with you to establish the most suitable adjustments at each stage of the recruitment process. Please note that our online application form includes a section which allows you to advise us of any extenuating circumstances that are relevant for us to consider when reviewing your application form.
Please get in touch if you would like to discuss any queries relating to your disability or long-term health condition and the recruitment process. Any information disclosed will remain strictly confidential.
Key dates
Applications
Applications are now closed for 2025
Internship dates
Monday 21 July 2025 to Friday 1 August 2025
Testimonials
"I really appreciated being given a really quality opportunity early in my career when I completed my First Nations Legal Internship, as it gave me the belief I needed at the time that a career in commercial law is actually something I could do."
Martin, Ashurst Lawyer
"I have been involved in our First Nations Legal Internship Programme since its inception many years ago and have seen it go from strength to strength. I have worked with many First Nations law students over the years and delight in the number of interns who have gone on to become successful Ashurst seasonal clerks, graduates and lawyers. It has been a great privilege to be involved in the journey that First Nations law students make from law school to the legal profession."
Leonie, Expertise Counsel
Applicant Resource Hub
For answers to all your frequently asked questions and information on application & interview tips, the benefits we provide, life at Ashurst, our L&D programmes, and our IDB initiatives.
Visit hub
Inclusion, Diversity & Belonging
Our inclusive and diverse culture stands at the heart of everything we do. For more information on our initiatives and the support we provide please follow the link below.
More informationContact us
If you can’t find answers to your questions on this page or on the Applicant Resource Hub then please contact our Early Careers team.
Agencies
Agency submissions and candidate introductions will only be accepted with prior approval from a member of the Ashurst Talent Acquisition team. To submit or introduce a candidate, an agency must have valid agreed terms of business in place with Ashurst. Any agency submissions or candidate introductions made without prior approval or without the agreed terms of business in place will be considered invalid.
Diversity
We are committed to offering a safe and welcoming environment for our employees and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. With diversity and inclusion at the heart of what we do we place a strong emphasis on working with people from diverse communities and aim to make a positive impact through our Social Impact programmes.
Speak up!
Ashurst is committed to ensuring an accountable workplace culture. Candidates are encouraged to report any ethical or conduct concerns to our confidential portal.
Please note that this portal should not be used for general enquiries about, or applications for, job positions available at Ashurst as they will not be passed onto the relevant team. Any recruitment enquires should be directed to globalresourcing@ashurst.com.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge First Nations Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work in Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and to the youth who are working towards a brighter tomorrow.