Legal Office Assistant / Paralegal / Law Graduate – Expression Of Interests

About us

We’re passionate about what we do and want you to be too.

Moray & Agnew is one of Australia’s leading law firms with an unrivalled reputation in our markets. We’re proud that our partners and our legal expertise is consistently recognised by Chambers Asia-Pacific, Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, Best Lawyers and Doyle’s Guide.

With over 110 partners, our teams are organised into three strategic pillars so that we can play to our strengths:

• Insurance – including commercial classes such as financial lines, professional indemnity, public & product liability, life insurance and through to statutory classes such as workers compensation and compulsory third party.
• Commercial & Workplace – spanning corporate and commercial, construction and projects, property and environment, commercial dispute resolution, insolvency, owners’ corporation and workplace law
• Government – spanning local, state and federal government
  

Our clients include Australian and international insurers and reinsurers, corporates of all sizes, and federal, state and local government.

Nationally, over 750 talented people deliver top-quality legal advice and representation, coupled with exceptional client service and support, across our offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Newcastle, Perth and Cairns.

Our partners are committed to fostering flexible, inclusive and diverse environments for our employees. We have the fourth highest percentage of female partners according to the AFR Law Partnership Survey, July 2024.

We value technical excellence and collegiality, offer a great workplace culture and excellent opportunities to further your career, whether you are just starting out, are an experienced lawyer or a business services professional.

About the role

Legal Office Assistants ("LOAs") are integral to our Firm. LOAs support Legal Secretaries with administrative duties and Lawyers for quasi-paralegal tasks including occasional research, together with general office services duties assisting the Office Manager and the wider office. There is a general pool of LOAs and around five LOAs support our Melbourne office on any given day.

This position has a varied workload and some of the responsibilities include:

• Court filing
• Collating briefs to counsel
• Hand deliveries
• Mail distribution
• Archiving
• Replenishing stationery, printers and photocopiers
• Maintaining and replenishing staff kitchens
General office duties and administrative tasks such as photocopying, faxing and running necessary errands.

To fulfil the inherent requirements of this role, successful candidates are required to work one to two full days a week during study semesters. LOA roles are casual positions therefore a degree of flexibility is offered. We appreciate that exams and the lead-up to the exam period are stressful times, therefore, we encourage and expect our LOAs to take time off during these periods. Whilst on semester break, LOAs may be offered additional hours, depending on their availability and the firm's requirements. We also anticipate that the availability of LOAs will change from semester to semester.

This semester we require support for each day, particularly on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays of each week. The usual hours for this role are from 9:00 am to 5:15 pm each day and successful candidates must be available to work full days.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for students who are keen to get their foot in the door of a legal firm or for students who want to build on previously gained office or legal experience.

Please note that this is a casual position, and accordingly, a periodic pay rate will apply.

Further development and our Paralegal Pathway Program

Due to the design and structure of our training & development program, we only accept applicants who are in their second year of a five-year degree (double degree) or students who are in their first year of a three-year law degree (Juris Doctor).

The LOA role is designed to equip incumbents with the necessary experience to be considered for a Paralegal role as part of our Paralegal Pathway Program, once law students enter their penultimate year of study. Essentially this ensures LOAs receive sufficient training before being considered for the Paralegal Pathway Program.

Our Paralegal Pathway Program provides the opportunity to rotate into several practice groups and to be mentored by senior lawyers. As a Paralegal, you will also have the opportunity to complete more complex legal tasks, including research, the discovery of documents, providing chronologies, drafting legal documents such as affidavits, attending mediations and informal settlements, and learning how to record your time efficiently.

About you

You will be a law student in year two of a double degree (2/5) or year one of a single law degree (1/3). You should also be available to work one to two full days each week during your study semester.

This is an entry-level position and whilst it would be desirable, you do not need to have any legal or office experience as 'on the job' training will be provided to you.

We are looking for law students who will be team players with strong communication skills and impeccable worth ethics. You will have a mature outlook, confidence and the ability to remain calm under pressure whilst prioritising a busy daily workload.

Other sought-after qualities include:

• Self-confidence, initiative and good judgment
• Excellent organisation skills
• The ability to work well under pressure
• Enthusiasm and willingness to work in a team and on your own
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• A good eye for detail
• Intermediate IT skills
Corporate presentation.

Before you apply

Please note, students in their final two years of study (penultimate year of study or above) are not ideally suited to this role and for this reason are discouraged from applying for this position. Students in their final years of study should instead visit the careers page of our website and apply for general paralegal positions.

Only applicants who meet the above criteria will be short-listed.

Culture & benefits of working with us

We work for great clients and advise them on interesting issues and matters so every day is different. We celebrate diverse thinking and experiences so you can bring your authentic self to the workplace. To support you, we offer a wide range of wellbeing and financial benefits, including:

• Flexible working arrangements to help you balance your work and personal commitments
• Health and wellness initiatives , including an Employee Assistance Program for yourself and your family, corporate discounts at 400+ leading fitness and wellbeing brands and mental health first aiders
• Paid parental leave and accreditations as a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace and Family Inclusive Workplace
• Continuous learning and development programs so that you are always being challenged, engaged and encouraged to grow
• Mentoring opportunities and on the job learning to support your professional and personal development
• Diversity, inclusion and equality policy and employee reference groups (LGBTQIA+, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Gender, Parents & Caregivers, Mature Workers and Health & Wellbeing) to ensure that we continue to live our values
• Dress for your day because we trust our people to make choices which appropriately represent our firm .
  

How to apply

If this opportunity is attractive to you, please submit your cover letter and CV. If you are applying for a Paralegal, Law Graduate or Lawyer role, please also provide your academic transcript with your application (an unofficial transcript or a screenshot from your online student portal is acceptable).

We welcome people of all backgrounds and identities to apply for this position, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, neurodiverse people and people with disability. If you have questions about the recruitment process or require any adjustments to participate, please let us know in your application.

We prefer to connect with people directly and do not require recruitment agency assistance with this vacancy. Any applications submitted by recruitment agencies without having been briefed will not be considered a valid introduction.