Practical Legal Training Fast Facts

What skills matter most to lawyers? As lawyers’ careers progress, technical expertise develops alongside an ability to ‘read’ what a client wants, needs or might not be saying, as well as other skills like negotiation and business development. Yet the ability to make good decisions is often overlooked as a key skill of good lawyers. 

Let’s explore the top skills employers are searching for. So you can demonstrate your worth, stand out from the crowd and land a legal role. ​

Create a standout legal resume with our step-by-step guide. Learn how to format, highlight skills, and polish your resume for your target audience.

The competition is tough, but by knowing what recruiters look for and pitching your skills and experience in their best light, you can make your resume stand out for all the right reasons.

Often touted as a lawyer’s secret weapon for success, perfectionism can boost productivity and improve your case results. But there is a shadow to this trait. We spoke with Shona Rowan on how to spot, harness and tackle perfectionism – for a constructive and sustained legal career. 

We caught up with Chris Bland, a seasoned solicitor, general counsel and principal of Legal Tradecraft Consulting who shares his top 5 commercial drafting strategies. 

Wondering what the deal is with Practical Legal Training (PLT)? That’s what this webinar is for.

Join us on Tuesday 6 August for a one-hour crash course on PLT. We’ll cover the basics, bust myths and answer questions.

Let’s explore the what, why and how of your PLT. And discover how it helps you hit the ground running to accelerate your legal career.

Get ready for your legal job interview with our step-by-step guide. Learn about research, first impressions, and common questions to ace your next interview!

Learn how to write a legal cover letter with our step-by-step guide. Find out what to include, the format to follow, and how to polish your presentation for a law firm application.

Discover what law school didn't teach you. Learn 8 new things in the College of Law's Practical Legal Training program, from negotiation to legal tech, and excel in your legal career.

The College of Law has written an eBook guide to thriving as a lawyer, featuring 10 practical tips for new lawyers.

Ever wondered how to stand out and distinguish yourself as a junior lawyer? After running the gauntlet of competitive clerkships, you’ve landed a grad role. In those crucial years, how do you ensure you learn, provide value to your peers, mid-career lawyers, senior associates, special counsel, and partners - and steer clear of the mistakes that might sink or set back your career?

Space law is a growing field as humanity embraces space exploration with renewed vigour, propelled by private interests and national endeavours. We caught up with Helen Tung, College of Law lecturer in international arbitration, on her pioneering career in space law and to find out about the opportunities available for those interested in exploring the final legal frontier.

Curious about different legal careers? Discover your path as a solicitor, barrister, in-house counsel, or explore roles in NewLaw, courts, community legal centres, government, public notary services, and family dispute resolution. Find the right legal career for you today!

With the rise of online learning, it’s easier than ever to collect your CPD points at a time – and place – that suits you. Not all online courses are created equal. So how do you know if an online, or on-demand course will stack up? Here we explore the six markers of an excellent on-demand legal course.

After more than 50 years at St Leonards, The College of Law is moving into the heart of Sydney’s CBD in early 2022.

So how do you know what path to pursue when you don’t have a clue? Here are 6 strategies to help you find a career that’s right for you. 

Insights explores the issue of when lawyers decide to take a temporary break from the law, and what both lawyers and employers can do help experienced legal professionals return to the profession.

LLM graduate Ilvana Nanic shares why she finds family law so rewarding, and her advice to lawyers interested in studying The College of Law LLM.

Explore how an LLM helped best graduating student (commercial litigation) Dominique Mayo advance her career.

Whether you’re studying or have already completed your law degree, you may still be mulling over where you’d like your career to go. And that’s okay. But doing the PLT is a good idea regardless. Here’s why. 

Take your job search to the next level with our comprehensive resources for law students and graduates. Master the art of crafting a standout LinkedIn profile, including your URL, profile picture, summary, experience, connections, and recommendations.

Don’t let your first day in a practice be a daunting one. Read up on what it’s like to step into the real world of law.  

To prepare you for what’s next, let’s unpack the College of Law’s 5 most popular on-demand CPD Digital Subscription courses. It’s the best way to keep your skills sharp – and your mind engaged.

Elena Leonardos, principle lawyer at Adelaide Legal Solutions, chose to complete her LPMC when the SA's regulation rules changed. Now, she's executing her 12-month plan to expand her business, and seeing an increase in the firm's profitability.

The College delves into the key requirements, steps involved, and potential challenges of cross-qualifying as an Australian lawyer in the UK. We spoke to Duha Al Hassnawi, an Australian foreign lawyer based in London, for her insights on the dual qualification process. Duha is currently enrolled in The College of Legal Practice’s SQE1 prep course.

Have questions about acing a job interview? Send 'em in, because your invited to a live Q&A with Lisa Tozer, the Interview Coach.

On Tuesday 26 November, Lisa’s going live to tackle your job interview questions, back by popular demand after our Careers Academy! Just send in your questions when you register, and Lisa will answer them live!

For 50 years, the College of Law has led the way in practical legal education.

We stand in our own lane – empowering practitioners to become the best lawyers they can be. How? With innovative, hands-on training that evolves with the demands of the legal profession.

Our CPD Digital Subscription is built on this legacy.

Embarking on a legal career in local, state, or federal government can be an exciting move. There are many pathways for development, a broad range of practice areas, and often a healthy work-life balance. These roles are highly rewarding, and highly competitive, the College of Law tells you everything you need to know about landing a government job in law.

The law is a complex field heavily reliant on knowledge, interpretation and advice. This makes for a profession that can have far reaching consequences and, as a result, lawyers are held to high standards. Athol Opas presents annual ethics updates to firms to keep them abreast of recent cases of misconduct and/or common ethical breaches. We spoke to Athol to find out about the most common ethical breaches lawyers should be mindful of and to gain his top tips on complying within ethical obligations. 

While completing her law degree and Practical Legal Training with the College of Law, Helena Hanna also kept up with her interests outside of studies. Learn more about Helena and her law degree experience.

Learn how Chelsea Donoghue merged her lot of arts and law: How she managed her study while on world tours, what she loves most about her work at Sanicki Lawyers, and what’s next.

For the 1 in 4 Australian lawyers considering leaving their job, the current job market is tipped in their favour. However, Australia’s legal profession is tight-knit and relatively small, so reputation matters. If you are leaving your role for fresh challenges, here are our top tips on how to exit your job gracefully in law, from the College of Law’s National Careers Advisors Ruth Beran and Susan Pincus.

Kerala Drew found the path to qualifying as an Australian lawyer fraught with roadblocks. Learn how she landed her first job in law, what set her College of Law PLT experience apart from prior study, and what advice she might have for lawyers looking to join the Australian legal profession.

Here are 6 tips to help you leave a lasting impression and showcase your worth. 

Discover the key differences between law school and real-world legal practice, including handling complex cases, simplifying legal jargon, managing tight deadlines, and developing essential soft skills.

Since completing her Practical Legal Training (PLT) at the College in 2023, Stella Richards has been a valued part of the commercial team at leading Australian law firm Russell Kennedy. But she started out in a different field entirely. Stella’s story shows that hard work, determination and a good deal of courage can lead you to your perfect career – even if you change direction once or twice along the way.

What does it take to become one of the country’s top-performing specialist lawyers? 

According to Craig Gregson – who consistently snags a spot in Doyle’s Guide for his work in Wills and Estates – a healthy dose of ambition is key. And so is plenty of quality education. 

We congratulate and celebrate the success of the most recent graduates of our Postgraduate Specialisation Programs. These achievements demonstrate the culmination of hard work, diligence and commitment to mastery of their chosen area of law.

For many lawyers, the idea of working overseas can seem like a daunting prospect. A career in law can often be limited by the regions in which your qualification allows you to practice, while at a glance many foreign economies can seem more precarious than Australia for a lawyer. However, for those brave and enterprising enough, the fruits of overseas legal opportunities can be bountiful.

Learn about the process of becoming a lawyer, from meeting the requirements to applying for admission and receiving your practising certificate.

Max recounts his path to discovering his passion in Wills and Estates – and how the College of Law helped him along the way.

Qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales is now easier than ever, with the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) presenting an alternative to the often-restrictive Legal Practice Course route. Furthermore, Australia is now on the list of countries where qualified lawyers can apply for an exemption for the SQE2. Alice Payne, Head of Business Development and Marketing at The College of Legal Practice explains how.

Learn why senior associate Alexandra Brand studied legal business subjects to improve her knowledge of marketing, pricing, strategy, and client service.

Running your own law firm isn’t for the faint-hearted. Yes, you’re your own boss. But with great power comes great responsibility. And that means wearing a lot of hats.  

Let’s unpack 5 of the most important skills – and corresponding on-demand CPD courses – that sole practitioners can’t do without.

The Honourable Robert Benjamin AM SC has been a leading light in the Australian family legal system for decades. In his roles as Judge, Commissioner, President of the New South Wales Law Society, Chair of the College of Law, practitioner and meditator – Robert has had a profound impact on many areas of the law and continues to do so today. We asked the former Justice of the Family Court of Australia for insights into his extraordinary career and today’s family law practices.

Make 2025 your most productive year yet with the CPD Digital Subscription. Access 140+ courses anytime, anywhere – stress-free compliance made simple.

Discover the College of Law’s CPD bundles: cost-effective course packages to deepen your expertise, meet CPD requirements and advance your career.

In this guide, we take you through everything you need to find (and land) a perfect fit. Expect plenty of insider secrets along the way!

The College of Law is spearheading legal education in the environmental, social and governance (ESG) space working closely with government and industry in the ASEAN region. The partnership with Austrade addresses the increasing demand for ESG training from ASEAN nations as they look to meet their transboundary obligations and work towards a more sustainable future.

It is time for Australian lawyers to become better connected with our regional neighbours, says Diligent Corporation's Asia Pacific Legal Counsel, Haylen Pong. Her role at Diligent, a modern governance company, requires frequent interaction with stakeholders, legal counterparts and other commercial interests across in APAC region.

The first NewLaw Careers virtual internship has launched with the College of Law in conjunction with the Centre for Legal Innovation (CLI) and Forage. Five NewLaw careers are on offer including Legal Operations Professional, Legal Data Analyst, Legal Technologist, Legal Knowledge Manager, and Family Law Mediator. Lead by impressive subject matter experts, read on to learn more.

PLT is a structured training program designed to help you develop the practical, day-to-day skills you will need as an entry-level lawyer. Completion of a PLT program is the second essential step to being admitted as a lawyer – the first being your law degree. Click the link below to learn more.

Barrister and international arbitrator Martin Polaine has worked in over 80 countries. Learn how you can qualify as an international arbitrator with this College of Law pathways to CIArb membership.

Discover the diverse career opportunities your law degree can unlock. Learn the difference between a lawyer and a solicitor, explore life as a solicitor or barrister, and delve into various legal specialities and alternative careers.

Kristen Wallwork is a highly experienced social justice specialist dedicating more than 20 years to serving local communities. In her role as Executive Director of the South-East Monash Legal Centre (SMLS), Kristen is at the coalface of emerging social justice issues. In good news, a national review is underway looking at improving funding for the Australian legal assistance sector, and first-of-its-kind grants, such as the SMLS team’s climate change grant into the legal implications of climate change disaster and day-to-day impact, are emerging.

2023 NSW Young Lawyer of the Year, Mei Gong, is often asked for her career advice. From getting $100 million deals over the line, to representing clients in criminal and civil cartel proceedings, Mei Gong has already led an extraordinary career. We asked Mei for her top career tips to help other young lawyers on their career journeys. 

Joseph Catanzariti AM, Chair of the College of Law, presented the official keynote speech at the opening ceremony for 570 George Street, Sydney, the new international headquarters for the College of Law. 

David Peaston has done it all: co-owned a Perisher Valley ski lodge, expanded the family electrical manufacturing business which was then sold to a public company, serving as COO to the purchasing company. In 2008, he returned to the law, and in 2016, established his own practice focussing on wills and estates, property and commercial law.

For young lawyers there are a vast number of career paths on offer, but for those who want to have an impact in the field of criminal law, a career with the CDPP may be what you are looking for. Unique and cutting-edge cases are par for the course when working at the CDPP, an environment Eliza Amparo, Acting Deputy Director at the CDPP, describes as “dynamic, intellectually stimulating and rewarding”.

Learn more about Jason Feng and his latest initiative, practisinglaw.com.au, which provides practical step-by-step guides, like File Management for Junior Lawyers, or answers to FAQs. It’s an entirely free service that Jason contributes to the legal community.

The pandemic sparked a mass exodus from Australia’s metropolitan cities, as urban lawyers discovered what their country counterparts had long known: life is better in the country. We show you how to become a regional, rural or remote lawyer.

How to highlight your service experience to stand out and land a legal role.

Get the essential information on pursuing a legal career in Australia. From law degrees to practical legal training, we cover everything you need to know about becoming a lawyer.

The future of legal learning is here. We’ve redesigned our CPD catalogue to meet you where you are in your career. And to help you get to where you want to go. 

Simply want to fulfil your yearly CPD requirements? Select a subscription and you’re all set. 

Australians hold a rare E-3 Visa status, a visa class currently exclusive to Australian nationals, and making Australia one of a handful of countries (including Canada) offered special access to prized US work rights. This makes Australian lawyers particularly attractive to US law firms and the job opportunities for lawyers in America are eye-wateringly lucrative. Read on for everything you need to know about taking your legal career to the bright lights of the USA.

We spotlight Arnab Ghosh Roy, a passionate migration and family lawyer on a mission to empower the community with his pro bono work. We sat down with Arnab to learn how his migration experience (along with his insatiable drive to make an impact) has shaped his career.

In just one hour, we’ll cut through the confusion about Practical Legal Training and give you the facts about your next step after uni.

Estimates range anywhere from 60% to 80% of jobs are not advertised. If so, how do you unlock the hidden job market? We caught up with the College of Law’s National Careers Advisor Ruth Beran for her top tips to access the hidden job market, how you conduct an informational interview, and unorthodox approaches she’s seen succeed.

Discover how a Digital CPD subscription can transform your training strategy. With unlimited access to 140+ courses, CPD compliance has never been easier.

After completing his Practical Legal Training (PLT) at the College of Law in 2021, Michael joined the AMP Financial Services Legal Team – where he still is today. Drawing on his diverse experiences, Michael has carved a niche for himself in the in-house corporate world, where his holistic approach and passion for ESG are making real, meaningful impact. Read on to hear his story.

The College of Law celebrates 50 years of service to the legal industry. Since it opened its doors in 1974, the College has empowered over 100,000 professionals to achieve their career aspirations in the law. We take a look at the College’s many legal education milestones and hear from long-standing CEO Neville Carter and Chairman Joseph Catanzariti AM.

Your CPD search stops here - This is your destination for all your CPD needs. Browse our curated bundles, find topic-specific on-demand courses, subscribe to access a diverse library of short-form content or join a live program and hear from world-class presenters, and expand your network.

Successful law firm owners must excel beyond legal expertise, showcasing a range of business and interpersonal skills, crucial as the legal landscape evolves, demanding continual honing of these abilities. Let’s show you some quick and valuable ways to boost these skills quickly. 

Completing your CPD can sometimes bring resistance. So, we’re addressing these quandaries head-on – by sharing five insider tips every lawyer needs to know before tackling their CPD.

HINT: It's about making your CPD count for something more.

Insider tip 1: Deep dive into your practice area...

Philip Coates is one half of Brisbane-based firm Coates Davey Solicitors.  With considerable marketing and business experience, Philip had an advantage when he and his business partner opened the firm. But he knew he needed the law savvy to back him up.  He signed up to the College of Law’s LPMC – and assumed the role of Principal Lawyer of his own firm not one year later.  Here is Philip's story

We spoke with Lauren about her journey to legal specialisation. And how the College of Law was instrumental in getting her there. 

Launched in August 2023, members of the judiciary have participated in a ground-breaking new training initiative on workplace conduct. The College of Law, in conjunction with Equal Employment Opportunity Specialists (EEO Specialists) and the Experience Lab, has been engaged by the Western Australian judiciary to develop and deliver customised training, tailored to the unique working environments of Courts and Tribunals. 

When you apply for a legal role, simply listing a bunch of buzzwords like teamwork and time management won’t get you very far. ​ You need to demonstrate your skills to employers. Here’s how you can promote your skillset with punch and authority.

Uni studies give you a solid theoretical understanding of the law. But practising as a legal professional is much more nuanced than at uni. Here are 6 vital lessons you don't learn at law school. 

Let’s see where you can take your skills to pursue a non-traditional legal pathway.

Thinking beyond traditional law roles? Dive into exciting career paths in legal tech, business, operations, politics, and government. Perfect for lawyers and those with law degrees looking for new opportunities. Explore your options today!