About ABL
Arnold Bloch Leibler is renowned as the commercial law firm that clients turn to for advice and support on their most complex legal matters, high stakes transactions, disputes and commercial decisions.

Our client base is diverse. We are best known for our work with highly entrepreneurial businesses (ASX listed, and family owned) and high-wealth private clients, and our unparalleled public interest law practice.

We also advise international enterprises and individuals from the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East with interests in Australia and enjoy long-standing relationships with leading hedge funds, private equity firms, insolvency practitioners, accountants, private bankers and law firms across the globe.

The firm is at the cutting edge of law and its implications for businesses, individuals and Australian society as a whole. From our decades of leadership in native title and public interest matters, to advising on complex and high-profile commercial transactions and disputes, ABL drives innovation.

We organise our practice groups to allow our lawyers to be broad generalists and our groups are split between transactions and disputes. From the client perspective, our services cover:

• banking & finance;

• competition;

• corporate & commercial;

• dispute resolution & litigation;

• native title & public interest law;

• property & development;

• reconstruction & insolvency;

• taxation;

• technology & intellectual property; and

• workplace advisory.

Why ABL
We are well known for being the go-to firm when it matters. We pride ourselves on providing strategic guidance and solving complex problems related to our clients' commercial interests, legal position and reputation. This means that our lawyers are exposed to interesting and varied work where they can fully utilise their skills and potential. We do not try to be everything to everyone − rather, we strive for excellence in our chosen areas of expertise.

From day one, you will work alongside our teams on active matters and be given real responsibilities to see how we support our clients. We find the best way to make the most of your clerkship is to get you involved in matters in a meaningful way – and the most effective way to do this is to place you in one team, with a dedicated supervisor and buddy to get you involved in hands-on work from day one.

You’ll be treated as part of the team and have the opportunity to make a real contribution and experience unique opportunities to learn about our clients’ work, why they choose Arnold Bloch Leibler and what they look for when they come to us for legal advice. Of course, there will also be scope to try out taking on some work for matters outside of your allocated practice group, to ensure you explore all of the opportunities that exist at Arnold Bloch Leibler. While you will be placed in one team for your clerkship, our teams work together fluidly, and we work closely with our colleagues in our Sydney office.

All you need to know about clerkships at ABL
In Victoria, we have three clerkship intakes that coincide with university holidays (November/ December, January/February and June/July). We aim for approximately 15 clerks in each intake, so you won't get lost in the crowd.

We’ve carefully designed our clerkship program to offer a blend of training, hands-on learning, and real world experience. From interactive workshops and engaging activities to meaningful work alongside partners, lawyers, and our clients, you’ll gain valuable exposure to what life at ABL looks like for our graduates.

During your clerkship, you'll be immersed in a single practice area, giving you the opportunity to dive deeply into the team’s work and develop a solid understanding of its subject matter. At the same time, you’ll experience our unique “generalist specialist” model—where collaboration across departments is the norm, not the exception.

Our approach has often been described as a “choose your own adventure” experience. You’ll be supported to explore & learn with the help of your supervising partner and buddy.

What stands out in a clerkship application?
When recruiting our clerks, we look for people who are seeking to contribute something extraordinary.

Those who stand out are individuals who combine lateral thinking, diverse life experience, and exceptional commercial acumen with resilience and a genuine passion for the law. While academic excellence and intellectual aptitude are essential, we also place value on creativity, strategic experience and a commitment to community.

What type of work can a clerk expect to undertake?
At ABL, our clerkship program has been tailored to reflect our graduate program, providing you the opportunity to experience first-hand life as a lawyer and our unique culture. Working closely with partners and lawyers, you'll attend relevant meetings and calls with clients and attend court hearings. You'll be involved in interesting national and international matters and cases, anything from multi-billion-dollar transactions and corporate collapses, to defending class actions.

What does the firm look for in a seasonal clerk?
At ABL, we value more than academic excellence alone. We're seeking individuals who stand out through their character and potential.
We’re looking for confident communicators who build rapport with ease and thrive in collaborative environments. Our seasonal clerks are expected to bring intellectual curiosity, show initiative, and demonstrate a clear commitment to owning and shaping their professional journey.

Ideal candidates will also exhibit:

• A genuine willingness to learn

• A proactive attitude toward taking responsibility

• The drive to grow through real-world challenges

• The maturity to accept and embrace shared accountability in a high-performing legal environment.

Applications
We participate in the Law Institute of Victoria's guidelines. The step-by-step process to applying for a clerkship is as follows:

1. Submit your application by attaching your CV, cover letter and academic transcript. We will let you know your application has been received.

2. If you are successful in proceeding to the next stage of the recruitment process, you will be invited to an interview.

3. You will meet with two of our partners and a representative from our Human Resources team. After your interview, you'll be invited to go for a coffee with one of our early career lawyers. This is another way for you to get to know us.

4. Successful candidates will receive an offer in line with the LIV key date below.

Applications open: 9.00 am on Monday 6 July 2026
Applications close: 11.59 pm on Sunday 9 August 2026
Interviews: September 2026
Offers: 10.00 am Thursday 15 October 2026

If you are offered a clerkship position, we will endeavour to place you in your preferred intake.

To commence as a law graduate in 2027, we only consider candidates in their penultimate year of study at the time of applying for a clerkship. Please ensure you share your expected completion date when applying.

Summer One: November 2026 - December 2026
Summer Two: January 2027 - February 2027
Winter: June 2027 - July 2027

Please address your application to:
Shaneen Argall, Director of Human Resources
Arnold Bloch Leibler
Level 21, 333 Collins Street
Melbourne

For any application or system questions please contact Eliza Leydin, eleydin@abl.com.au.