Career options for Law at Murdoch University

Our Degrees are changing.

In 2014, Part I (first year) units will be introduced with Part II (second year and higher) units becoming available in subsequent years. Detailed information about Part II will be available here from mid-2014.

Find out more about our new degrees, or to get in touch and ask us what this means for you head to AskMurdoch. Continuing students can still access information for degrees commencing 2013 and prior in the Course Handbook.

Career options

As a Murdoch Law graduate, your employment outlook is brilliant, especially if you combine it with other disciplines. Depending on which skill combinations or specialisations you have, your Murdoch degree may lead you towards work and study opportunities in a number of areas. The following are some professions to consider, including extra majors that will improve your prospects of achieving them.

Corporate Lawyer

Corporate Lawyers are also known as In-House Counsels. Most of the large publicly listed companies, such as Esso, BHP and the banks, employ In-House lawyers. Working In-House allows close contact with the client. It is a good stepping stone towards management. The work tends to consist of broad commercial matters.

Trial Lawyer

The more detailed aspects of a lawyers job depend upon his or her field of specialisation and position. Although all lawyers are licensed to represent parties in court, some appear in court more frequently than others. Trial Lawyers, who specialise in trial work, must be able to think quickly and speak with ease and authority. In addition, familiarity with courtroom rules and strategy is particularly important in trial work. Still, Trial Lawyers spend the majority of their time outside the courtroom, conducting research, interviewing clients and witnesses, and handling other details in preparation for a trial.

Lawyers may specialise in a number of areas, such as bankruptcy, commercial, property or international law. Those specialising in environmental law, for example, may represent interest groups, waste disposal companies, or construction firms. These lawyers help clients prepare and file for licenses and applications for approval before certain activities may occur. In addition, they represent clients interests in administrative adjudications.

Patent Lawyer / Agent

Some lawyers specialise in the growing field of intellectual property, helping to protect clients claims to copyrights, artwork under contract, product designs, and computer programs.