Having just wrapped up our 2025 graduate recruitment process at Morgan + English, we have been reflecting on the extraordinary calibre of candidates who applied and how competitive this process truly is for law students and graduates navigating the early stages of their careers.
We started with over 200 applications. From those, 21 were shortlisted for first-round interviews, 10 advanced to the second round, 5 made it to final interviews, and we ultimately made offers to 3 outstanding candidates.
To those who progressed through multiple rounds, congratulations. In a field this competitive, standing out is an achievement in itself.
But to those who didn’t progress, or didn’t get a “yes” this time: please don’t be discouraged. The graduate pathway is just one of many entry points into the legal profession, and it’s not always the most direct route that leads to the most rewarding career.
Wherever you are at in your studies or career journey, we have put together some practical tips and recommendations to help you move forward. These come from our team’s collective experience including what we’ve seen work, what we value, and what we look for.
Tips for Law Students in 2nd to 4th Year:
- Get involved: Join a student law society, volunteer at a community legal centre, or take on part-time legal admin or research work.
- Find mentors: Seek out informal mentoring opportunities to ask questions, build relationships, and explore different areas of law.
- Sharpen core skills: Focus on communication, critical thinking, and attention to detail. These skills are transferable and always valued.
- Apply for clerkships: If you’re in your penultimate year, seasonal clerkships offer valuable insight into legal practice, help build networks and can often lead to graduate roles.
Tips for Law Students in their Final Year:
- Keep your options open: Boutique firms, in-house roles, legal support positions, and internships can all provide valuable experience and exposure.
- Apply for clerkships: Some firms accept final-year students into seasonal programs, it’s a great way to gain insight, build networks, and get a foot in the door.
- Tailor your applications: Avoid generic cover letters. Show you have done your research and explain why the firm is the right fit for you, and you for it!
- Do your research: Explore the firm’s website, LinkedIn, and recent matters, it not only helps you stand out, but signals genuine interest.
- Reach out to a trusted recruiter: A good legal recruiter can help identify suitable opportunities, polish your application, and connect you with roles you may not have considered.
- Keep showing up: Even if you don’t hear back straight away, professionalism, persistence, and a positive attitude go a long way. People notice, even if you don’t realise it yet.
At Morgan + English, we believe the legal profession benefits from diverse minds and voices, and there are many ways to build a meaningful and successful career.
To everyone who applied, thank you for sharing your story with us. Your time, energy, and effort were truly appreciated.
And to those still on the journey…keep going! The first “no” isn’t the end. There’s more than one way in.
