Types of Legal Practice
There are many types of legal practices and organisations employing lawyers or support staff. Do your research to find the best type for your career.
Sole Practitioner
This is the largest sector of law firms, usually consisting of one partner of the practice. The practice may specialise or offer services in a number of areas. You are guaranteed to work very hands on and gain broad experience with many clients.
Small Practice
A small practice is very much about client relationships, personality and fit. With two to five partners and approx. 20 staff in the firm your time will be dedicated to small group work and the type of work will depend on the specialisations of the practice. When applying for work experience or a Traineeship it is important to ask about type of work and management. Currently there are approx. 325 practices in Victoria.
Medium to Large Practice
Currently approx. 22 medium-to-large practices in Victoria: with medium practices consisting of six to 10 partners, and large practices usually in excess of 11 partners.
The larger the firm the more specialised your work group will become. This means that you may start in one work group, working on commercial litigation, and then move to another for experience. Client contact may be more the responsibility of senior associates to ensure consistency of client relationships.
In-house Counsel
Many large commercial organisations around the world now have their own legal departments. As with many other professional services industries, such as advertising and marketing companies are employing lawyers to focus specifically on their organisation, operating within their own legal departments.
The Australian Corporate Lawyers Association (ACLA) is the professional association for in-house lawyers.
Government
Sites that you may like to look at are Department of Justice, Office of Public Prosecutions, Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office, Australian Government Solicitor’s Office, Department of Human Resources, Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions… just to name a few.
LegalOnline is the Victorian Government's legal information online service. Source examples of legal careers in the government to compare with those in private practice.
Community Legal Centres
For many members of the community, at least some of their legal needs can generally be met by paying for legal services. For others pro bono legal services may help. The
Federation of community legal centres (CLCs) is the peak body for Victoria's 49 centres. Victoria's CLCs provide free legal information and advice to more than 60,000 Victorians every year.
Regional Victoria
There are many advantages to working in regional Victoria including variety of work and lifestyle. There are also many types of legal practices.
Opportunities in regional Victoria features profiles and information about a multitude of businesses and legal practices operating in regional Victoria.