Graduate Lawyer Programme

About the role

SWS Lawyers is recruiting final-year law students or recent graduates to join its Graduate Lawyers Programme in Newcastle. The firm takes a limited number of graduates each year so that each one receives strong support and rapid learning. The programme sits within a small, close-knit team where graduates work side by side with experienced Principals and Partners who mentor them from day one.

Key responsibilities

• Work on corporate, mergers and acquisitions, property and planning, and commercial litigation matters.
• Advising clients on capital raising and M&A deals valued between $10m and $200m, including seed and working capital and cross-border private equity.
• Handling shareholder disputes, intellectual property protection, construction matters and consumer law issues.
• Supporting property and planning clients through complex transactions, working with architects, planners and developers, and representing clients in the Land and Environment Court.
• Drafting and negotiating documents, managing transactions, briefing and instructing counsel, and taking part in site visits.

Required profile

• Final-year law student or recent graduate.
• Available to commence as a Law Graduate in February.
• Applications for the 2027 intake are closed; applications for the next intake are still open.
• Ambitious, collaborative, with a strong intellect and willingness to work hard.

What we offer

• Mentoring and on-the-job training from day one, with direct client contact.
• Work-life balance, with sensible hours and no expectation of staying late.
• The chance to live and work in the heart of Newcastle.

To apply, submit an online application or email the firm, including a one-page letter explaining why you are a good fit, your CV, your latest unofficial transcript and one non-lawyer referee.