First Nations Legal Internship
"Long before the modern legal system, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples practised lore that governed relationships, upheld responsibilities and sustained communities across Australia for millennia, creating a legacy of knowledge and wisdom that thrives to this day." - Jerome Pang, Head of First Nations Strategy
Jerome is a Kalkadoon man and a descendant of the Waanyi, Gangalidda, Lardil and Pitta Pitta peoples of North West Queensland and the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Our two week First Nations Legal Internship lets you experience what it’s like to work in a top tier firm, our culture and the type of work we do. For more information on our First Nations work please visit the First Nations page.
What we can offer you
Real work
We want you to get a realistic understanding of what it's like to be an Ashurst Perkins Coie lawyer. During your internship you may work on cases and transactions, attend court, join client meetings, sit in on client calls, work on pro bono matters, attend CLE sessions and complete research.
Dedicated support
We invest in our people. As an Ashurst Perkins Coie First Nations legal intern you'll have a dedicated partner mentor, supervising lawyer, buddy and support from the early careers team.
Professional development
Your internship will include many chances for professional (and personal) development. There are formal training courses, informal "on the job" learning, networking opportunities and exposure to pro bono and social impact work.
The recruitment process
You'll be asked to upload your CV and academic transcript.
We're looking to get to know you a little more and find out why you'd like to be an Ashurst Perkins Coie First Nations legal intern.
We give you the opportunity to ask more about us too – our interviews are a "two-way street"!
It’s also an opportunity for you to find out more about us, so please come prepared with your questions.
We are committed to making all stages of our recruitment process accessible to candidates with disabilities or long-term health conditions. If you consider yourself to have a disability or a long-term health condition, please feel able to be open about this at any point during the recruitment process. If you are not sure what adjustments you require, we will work with you to establish the most suitable adjustments at each stage of the recruitment process. Please note that our online application form includes a section which allows you to advise us of any extenuating circumstances that are relevant for us to consider when reviewing your application form.
Please get in touch if you would like to discuss any queries relating to your disability or long-term health condition and the recruitment process. Any information disclosed will remain strictly confidential.
Key dates
Applications
Applications are now closed for 2026
Internship dates
Monday 20 July 2026 to Friday 31 July 2026
Testimonials
"I really appreciated being given such a high-quality opportunity early in my career through the First Nations Legal Internship at Ashurst Perkins Coie. The experience gave me the exact belief and confidence I needed at the time to realize that a career in commercial law is something I can truly succeed in.”
Martin, Ashurst Perkins Coie
"I have been involved in our First Nations Legal Internship Program since its inception many years ago and have seen it go from strength to strength. I have worked with many First Nations law students over the years and delight in the number of interns who have gone on to become successful Ashurst Perkins Coie seasonal clerks, graduates, and lawyers. It has been a great privilege to be involved in the journey that First Nations law students make from law school to the legal profession."
Leonie, Expertise Counsel
Applicant Resource Hub
For answers to all of your FAQs and information on application and interview tips, the benefits we provide, life at Ashurst Perkins Coie, our L&D programs and our commitments to diversity, inclusion, and opportunity for all.
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Diversity, Inclusion & Opportunity
We have deep and enduring commitments to diversity, inclusion, and opportunity for all.
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If you can’t find answers to your questions on this page or on the Applicant Resource Hub then please contact our Early Careers team.
Agencies
Agency submissions and candidate introductions will only be accepted with prior approval from a member of the Ashurst Perkins Coie Talent Acquisition team. To submit or introduce a candidate, an agency must have valid agreed terms of business in place with Ashurst Perkins Coie. Any agency submissions or candidate introductions made without prior approval or without the agreed terms of business in place will be considered invalid.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge First Nations Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work in Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and to the youth who are working towards a brighter tomorrow.