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IP Law Clerkship

Working with intellectual property law practitioners who are consistently recognised as among the best in the world will afford you a rewarding career as a specialist IP lawyer.

Students participating in our Seasonal Clerk Program are provided an invaluable opportunity to work with and benefit from the direct supervision of principals and senior practitioners. The work ranges from intellectual property litigation matters to alternative dispute resolution, IP commercialisation and licensing, contract law, administrative law and competition law.

Successful clerks will undertake important personal learning while working with skilled professionals who are responsible for protecting, enforcing, and extracting value from intellectual property assets. The diverse range of clients include leading global and Australian companies across diverse industries and technologies.

As a seasonal clerk you will be exposed to client work including:

  • Researching an area of law, analysing points and summarising your findings

  • Drafting correspondence on behalf of others

  • Shadowing our lawyers in client and external meetings which may include court proceedings.

You’ll have the opportunity to work within a friendly and supportive team, participate in team meetings and enjoy DCC social events.

Key Application Dates

The Davies Collison Cave Law Seasonal Clerkship Program can be the beginning of a successful career in intellectual property law.

Sydney

Applications open on Wednesday 11 June 2025

Applications close on Sunday 13 July 2025

Apply Now

Melbourne

Applications open on Monday 7 July 2025

Applications close on Sunday 10 August 2025

Apply Now

Testimonials

"I had a great time clerking at DCCL, and my experience really reflected the type of work I was then given working at DCCL as a lawyer. As the only clerk at the time, I felt like a valued member of the team and was able to take on a variety of interesting work across multiple cases."
Emily Maartensz — Senior Associate, DCCL
"The legal work I was given was interesting and varied and the people I met through the clerkship program provided me with a valuable insight into working in an IP law firm."
Jessica Sapountsis — Senior Associate, DCCL
"My clerkship at DCCL gave me experience and knowledge that can only be found at a top specialist firm with the very best IP solicitors and patent/trade mark attorneys. I was given a taste for IP litigation work in the mining and pharmaceutical sectors which was not only an eye-opening experience, but also some of the best fun I’ve had (and continue to have!). "
Julian Siedle — Law Graduate, DCCL
"My clerkship was an incredible opportunity to contribute to real IP matters and learn directly from some of the country’s leading IP lawyers. I gained valuable insight into life at an IP firm, received meaningful feedback, and appreciated how the team tailored my experience to align with my interests. It was a truly engaging and rewarding introduction to the practice of IP law."
Olina Parrish — Law Graduate, DCCL
"I was afforded opportunities beyond what one would normally expect from a clerkship program, including invaluable interaction with leading IP lawyers and attorneys and undertaking challenging, intellectually stimulating work."
Lachlan Sadler — Senior Associate, DCCL
"My clerkship at DCCL allowed me to work on a range of IP matters and solidified my interest in a career in IP. As a clerk, I was provided an opportunity to be involved in current matters and the tasks I was given gave me an idea of what I would be doing as a law graduate and junior lawyer. My experience as a clerk at DCCL was rewarding and reassured me in my decision to move interstate to join DCCL as a law graduate."
Georgia Christie — Lawyer, DCCL
"In the first minute of my clerkship I was pulled into a hearing for a patent infringement matter. As a graduate I was able to work on that matter and see it through trial, gaining real disputes and litigation experience, learning from experienced IP lawyers along the way."
Dev Dutt Sharma — Lawyer, DCCL
"I had a great time clerking at DCCL, and my experience really reflected the type of work I was then given working at DCCL as a lawyer. As the only clerk at the time, I felt like a valued member of the team and was able to take on a variety of interesting work across multiple cases."
Emily Maartensz — Senior Associate, DCCL
"The legal work I was given was interesting and varied and the people I met through the clerkship program provided me with a valuable insight into working in an IP law firm."
Jessica Sapountsis — Senior Associate, DCCL
01020304050607

Seasonal Clerk Checklist

We are looking for talented students who have a genuine interest in specialising in intellectual property law.

The requirements to be considered for a clerkship are:

  • Completing your penultimate year of a law degree.

  • A science or engineering qualification in addition to your law degree is beneficial but not essential.

  • Strong English communication skills, both verbal and written.

  • A penchant for carrying out analytical and detailed work.

  • An appreciation for the delivery of superior client professional services.

  • A personal drive and motivation, friendly disposition and team orientation.

  • An excellent academic record.

  • Proven time management skills.

To complete your application please provide a CV, academic transcript and covering letter addressing your interest in intellectual property and Davies Collison Cave Law via the application link below.

 

Apply Now

What does a qualified IP Lawyer do

Davies Collison Cave Law provides expert advice in the areas of intellectual property, trade practices litigation, IP-related dispute resolution and commercialisation matters.

Our lawyers work with our highly valued Australian and international clients on a range of IP proceedings and dispute resolution matters. They also work alongside colleagues in DCC’s Trade Mark and Patent Groups on matters from pre-litigation to trial stage.

Graduate Program

The Davies Collison Cave Law Graduate Program is the place to start your specialist career in intellectual property litigation.

Due to the success of our Seasonal Clerkship Program, we will be recruiting our graduates from our seasonal clerkship candidate pool.

What will DCC law offer me as a graduate?

Graduates at DCCL work closely with senior lawyers to develop their practical legal skills, while also undertaking an external PLT or SLT course through one of the firm’s preferred providers.

During the course, you will work full-time with our talented professionals and partners in all aspects of IP law.

Apply now

To visit our careers page for more information and to apply, click below.

 

Apply for the IP Law Clerkship