Your Career
An Adelaide Law degree is about more than learning the law – it’s about a way of thinking.
For over 135 years we have been shaping future leaders who have gone on to be successful in the legal profession as well as in politics, international business, diplomacy, health, policy and the media. Our alumni include high court judges and recognised faces in politics such as former Premier Jay Weatherill MP and Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop.
A qualification from the Adelaide Law School is more than just a law degree, our graduates possess a distinct way of thinking with crucial transferable skills sought after by top employers. They are critical thinkers, approaching complex problems from multiple perspectives. Our graduates are career-ready and equipped for success in a variety of pathways and industries.
Our graduates are highly sought after by employers with over 92% employed within 5 months of graduation*. We have the highest employment rate for graduates in South Australia and are well above the national average.
A degree in law also opens up a range of career options beyond the legal profession. As one of the most diverse programs in graduate career outcomes, there’s no limit to where a future in law can take you.
*QILT survey (graduate destinations and graduate outcomes) 2014-2015
Alexander Normandale
" GDLP refined my ability to assess any real situation and—in an engaging, collaborative, thoughtful and respectful manner—articulate the problem, identify the issues, outline the options and recommend a preferred solution: a critical and strategic approach that will help you achieve success in legal practice and outside of it "
Principal Management Consultant, Normandale Management Consultancy - Bachelor of Laws and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice.
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Careers outside of Law
A degree in law also opens up a range of career options beyond just the legal profession, being highly valued across a range of other industries requiring legal guidance and policy advice, such as the media, not for profit sector, politics, trade, academia, finance and business analysis to name a few.
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Careers in Law
Our graduates are well regarded by the legal fraternity, with a degree from the Adelaide Law School being highly sought after for law graduate roles across private practice and the public sector.
Area Job examples Judicial system Barrister, solicitor, judge, judge’s associates, law clerk, magistrate, registrar, court reporter, mediator, arbitrator
Not for profit Community legal services officer, human rights advocacy officer, migration agent, legal clearance officer, native title lawyer, pro bono consultant, volunteer solicitor Government/public service Legal project manager, lawyer, intelligence officer, legislator, policy analyst, lobbyist, prosecutor, policy officer, political advisor, legislative drafter, public defender, research officer, investigator Corporate sector Corporate counsel, contract administration, legal governance officer, legal recruiter, legal analysts, ethics manager, commercial advisor, risk management professional Private sector Transitional, advisory and litigious focus. clerk, barrister, associate, paralegal, solicitor, alternative dispute resolution officer, legal counsel, association and senior association, compliance officer International law International lawyer, consultant, ambassador, diplomatic corps, foreign correspondent, legal officer, NGO employee, human rights advocate, united nations officer, Academia Tutor, lecturer, law librarian, legal careers consultant, researcher, dean Professional legal bodies Counsel, legal practice admissions officer/manager, regulator, investigator, policy advisor/analyst, committee member, legal information officer Professional services Associate, consultant, engagement manager, business analyst, case manager, digital implementation manager, and risk manager
How do I become a Lawyer?
Law can lead you anywhere. What exactly is the journey to becoming a lawyer? What are the steps you have to take?
Career support
We are committed to ensuring our graduates are equipped for careers of the future. Our students can participate in career readiness workshops, overseas study programs and internships with local, national and international organisations, ensuring they have every opportunity to develop their practical and transferable skills.
- The Next Steps in Law program aims to equip law students with career readiness skills, inform them about career options and build connections with industry, government and the legal profession.
- The Adelaide University Law Student's Society offers many opportunities to directly engage with law students, including the annual Legal Careers Fair.
- Our students have the opportunity to experience real-world legal practice through participation in the Free Legal Clinics.
- The University of Adelaide offers a range of career services such as job application and interview workshops, employment and networking opportunities and career events.
- The Adelaide Law School, in partnership with the Law Society of South Australia, offers Practice legal training (GDLP) for law graduates who wish to train for the legal profession.
Considering postgraduate study?
The University of Adelaide Law School offers a range of high-quality postgraduate programs that allow both law and non-law graduates to extend their professional development. Our range of programs includes a strong commercial and international focus. For those who want to advance their knowledge in a particular area or want to trial postgraduate study, it is possible to enrol in single courses on a non-award basis.