Sparke Helmore Lawyers Reviews

There is a structured promotion program for your first three years, which everyone follows. This reflects the firms understanding that in your early years your focus is on learning and developing as a lawyer.

The firm's commitment to pro bono is ever present. The firm has so many pro bono projects and initiatives, such as a wills clinic drafting wills for Indigenous Australians. Sparkes works with Legal Centres around the state and takes on individual pro bono cases. I have already worked on three - an insurance issue due to COVID, a fraudulent transfer of property, and a fraudulent contract.

The culture is phenomenal. The people are very approachable and there is a strong community within the firm. You get to socialise with your team on a daily basis but also with the rest of the teams on your floor. The graduate program also seems to create a close connection with your fellow grads.

The firm makes a very clear concerted effort to attract and retain people from diverse cultures with diverse life experiences. Within the firm there are multiple sub committees to promote visibility and ensure that the needs of each minority group are being met. The gender diversity in the firm is apparent through all levels, and particularly at the partner level.

Reviewing, drafting and negotiating legal documents. Conducting research on legal issue. Liaising with clients and various stakeholders. Attending to meetings. Performing various administrative tasks. Participating in knowledge management projects.

Internal communication is great, you always know who to call about certain issues. Graduates don't undergo a performance review in their first year, but my supervising partner took the opportunity to provide some feedback and praise anyway which was appreciated.

The office is great, the location in Martin Place is amazing and so close to the courts. The facilities you need are available. The dress code is corporate, obviously, with casual wear on Fridays.

A mixture of personality and legally based questions.

In my experience, the pay and bonuses reflect your level of skill and commitment. If you have done good work, the partner will advocate for you. It is very merits based.

There is a structured graduate program throughout your first year. The training is across both the firm’s software and basic foundational skills you will need as a lawyer, such as legal drafting.

The hours do fluctuate depending on the area you work in and the matters you are working on. Generally, the hours are very reasonable, and if you do have a few light nights, they are always warranted and rarely over a pro-longed period. In my experience, this firm does not expect you to be sitting at your desk till late unless there is a legitimate reason to do so.

Sparkes has an environmental management system and plan to reduce their environmental footprint every year.