Graduate Programs

Law Graduate Development

First class legal support is critical for the Suncorp Group to achieve its strategic goals.  Suncorp’s Legal and Secretariat team provides the legal advice and documentation necessary to ensure business and customer expectations are met and legal risks to the Suncorp Group are minimised.
Suncorp’s Legal and Secretariat teams provide legal and company secretariat services to the Australian and New Zealand boards and across the Group generally. We operate to provide;

•  Legal Advice as we assist Suncorp to achieve its business strategy in a legally effective manner
• Board Support to meet their statutory and legal obligations as officers of Group
• Shareholder management to assist with planning and issuing documentation, managing meetings and transactions between the company and its shareholders.

To help you actively build your performance, our development program will offer our Law Graduates the opportunity to:

• participate in a program of rotations to gain experience and knowledge across the Legal and Secretariat job family at Suncorp
• study support programs to develop your legal knowledge
• develop a familiarization with  relevant laws, products and policies  relevant to the area you are working in
• develop  professional relationships with relevant business partners and other lawyers/company secretaries within the Suncorp Group
• build a tailored career development plan with regular mentoring sessions with your leader
• participate in professional development activities to build your foundation skills (e.g. client management, communication and business acumen)
• work with a leadership team which encourages innovation and listens to your ideas and initiatives
• partner with a Mentor who will help guide your transition into the corporate environment, challenge your thinking and support your career development
• build a relationship with a Buddy to help you 'learn the ropes'.  They'll help you to understand your role and meet new people
• have access to the broad graduate community and events of the Suncorp Group

Culture

Suncorp’s Legal and Secretariat team is facing an exciting future with a clearly defined strategy for growth and leadership in the market. Our culture is built on teamwork, customer focus and innovation, and working together to achieve our goals. Our people and their expertise are critical to achieving our goals and we aim to develop our people as leading professionals through effective learning opportunities and succession planning.

Program Duration

The Law Graduate Program is a 24 month program with rotations in different divisions across the Suncorp’s Legal and Secretariat job family. You'll have the opportunity to gain some practical experience in some of the following areas:

• Company Secretary
• Corporate Secretary
• General Counsel Teams within;
  • Life Insurance
  • General Insurance (Including GILD (GILD Insurance Litigation Pty Ltd) and Commercial Insurance Legal Services)
  • Bank
  • Group

Locations

Sydney and Brisbane

We are seeking students studying towards their Bachelor of Laws, with a passion for insurance law and civil litigation to apply.  Students studying dual degrees in any of the following disciplines in particular are encouraged to apply:

• Business/Commerce
• Science
• Arts

To be successful, you need to show initiativ and the ability to work in a dynamic environment.  You must be detail-focused, an effective communicator and possess analytical skills.  We are looking for team players who enjoy collaborating, problem solving and sharing ideas with their colleagues.  We want to talk to graduates who have achieved academic success and who are contributors to their community.

	Name:	Alison
	Degree:	BALLB
	Majors:	Humanities
	Role:	Junior Solicitor - GILD Insurance Litigation Pty Ltd

Why did you join Suncorp and the Graduate Program?

I joined Suncorp as I knew that it would provide me with an opportunity to do interesting work which is not offered at many other law firms. I have a particular interest in medical defence work and working at Suncorp means that the vast majority of the work I do is in this area of law.

Is life at Suncorp everything you thought it would be?

I have really enjoyed my time at Suncorp so far. The work is very interesting and varied – I currently have carriage of matters in the Supreme Court, District Court and Administrative Decisions Tribunal.

I am also benefiting from the significant amount of guidance and feedback I receive from my Legal Managers as well as my other colleagues.

What have you been up to since you joined?

As a junior solicitor I have carriage of approximately 35 matters. This involves regular advice writing, Court appearances, participation in Mediations, witness conferences and preparation for hearings.

I also assist more senior solicitors with their matters.

What's the best thing that's happened to you since you've been at Suncorp?

The best thing that has happened to me since joining Suncorp is the opportunity to work with such friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable people.  The fact that many of my colleagues have been working at Suncorp for many years is also a good indication of the positive work environment here.

What are some of the challenges you have faced?

The biggest challenge I have faced is dealing with self-represented litigants, which was a totally new experience for me. It is particularly challenging in matters where the self-represented litigant is unable to separate their personal issues from the legal issues and have adopted the attitude that the Defendant is responsible for all of their misfortunes.

In three words, how would you describe your team?

Friendly, knowledgeable and encouraging.

Where do you see yourself within Suncorp in 3 years time?

In three years time I hope to be still working at Suncorp doing similar interesting work.

	Name:	Yevgeny
	Degree:	BABachelor of Laws (the University of New South Wales) Master of Actuarial Studies (the University of New South Wales ) Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science, Nuclear Medicine (the University of Sydney)LLB
	Majors:	Law, Actuarial and Nuclear Medicine
	Role:	Paralegal - GILD

Why did you join Suncorp and the Graduate Program?

Suncorp offered an exciting role while simultaneously supporting my amibition to study law.

Is life at Suncorp everything you thought it would be?

Yes and so much more! 

What have you been up to since you joined?

I commenced my employment at Suncorp as a Business Analyst working on a NSW Workers Compensation Tail project. Upon completion of the project, I accepted position of a Portfolio Specialist. The role involved identifying drivers for P&L and implementing innovative strategies to deliver profitable results. Also, responsibilities extended to setting internal targets based on existing Worker Compensation rules and projecting final revenue.  In the final semester of my law degree I was offered a graduate role at GILD Insurance Litigation.

What's the best thing that's happened to you since you've been at Suncorp?

Experience that I have gained while working at Suncorp! Its been an exceptional opportunity to develop my legal expertise through exposure to a diverse range of legal matters while offering guidance and mentoring.

What are some of the challenges you have faced?

Continue to be innovative and delivering the results in my role while competing with other students in my degree.

In three words, how would you describe your team?

Successful, Supportive and Fantastic.

Where do you see yourself within Suncorp in 3 years time?

I hope to continue my career at GILD and to become competent, respectful and determined solicitor.

	Name:	Juliet
	Degree:	Bachelor of Laws (QUT) Post Grad Dip Legal Practice (QUT)
	Majors:
	Role:	Solicitor, CI Legal Service

Why did you join Suncorp?

I wanted to work for a company that supported a good work/life balance.

Is life at Suncorp everything you thought it would be?

I am coming up to 8 years of service with Suncorp in January 2011.

Suncorp has developed me both personally and professionally over the years and I am proud to work for a company that is committed to the development of its employees.

What have you been up to since you joined?

I have worked in Banking, CTP Claims, Internal Audit and GI Risk & Compliance. After gaining admission as a Lawyer, I currently work as a Solicitor in Commercial Insurance Legal Services, Queensland.

What's the best thing that's happened to you since you've been at Suncorp?

I completed my Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at QUT and was admitted as a Solicitor in March 2009.

With the guidance and assistance of my internal Mentor, I also got the opportunity to work with the former president of the Queensland Law Society at Suncorp’s CTP Panel Firm Eardley Motteram Lawyers whilst on a 6 month career break.

What are some of the challenges you have faced?

• Balancing my time between work and my own personal life; and
• Providing urgent legal advice to my Claims Teams in a short time frame. Whilst under pressure, I have had to decide the priority of each legal referral and the best strategy to ensure that my work demands are met.

In three words, how would you describe your team?

Supportive, confident and hardworking.

Where do you see yourself within Suncorp in 3 years time?

In a similar legal role within CI Legal Services or working as a Solicitor in Group Legal if the opportunity arises.

How is Suncorp preparing you for your future?

The experience I have gained has provided a lot of exposure in terms extensive information about the legal profession and the increased opportunities in my professional career path. I have been given the opportunity to develop both my legal and personal skills through providing advice on a variety and complexity of matters.

	Name:	Kristin
	Degree:	B Law / B Science (Psychology)
	Majors:
	Role:	NSW Statutory claims Solicitor

Why did you join Suncorp and the Graduate Program?

I joined Suncorp just after I completed my tertiary study at university. At that time, I wanted to be part of a large corporation which provided a variety of opportunities for my professional development.

I was particularly interested in the personal injury aspect of insurance and believed that this area gave me the scope to apply my background in law and science.

Is life at Suncorp everything you thought it would be?

Suncorp has been a great company to work for and exceeded my initial expectations of what the company could achieve and offer.

What have you been up to since you joined?

I joined Suncorp in December 2007 and began working in the NSW CTP claims department.

In 2009 I decided that I wanted to practice law so I completed the Practical Legal Training program. I began doing some CTP legal work for the internal legal services department to gain some experience.

In late 2009, I was presented with a fantastic opportunity to take a 6 month secondment in Eardley Motteram, one of Suncorp’s Queensland legal panel firms.

I was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW in February 2010.

In April 2010, I returned to Sydney and began working in the NSW legal services team and I currently advise the workers compensation department.

What's the best thing that's happened to you since you've been at Suncorp?

The best thing so far as been moving into the legal services team in NSW. I really enjoy my work and what the team has to offer. When I began in CTP claims, I knew that I wanted to join the legal services team in order to utilise my experience and skills and also develop and challenge myself.

What are some of the challenges you have faced?

A recent challenge was when I began advising the workers compensation department. I began this role at a time when the only experienced solicitor in that area was on leave and thus I was on my own to teach myself the ropes.  I had no experience in workers compensation and had to learn the legislation and procedures whilst I was getting to know the staff and structure of the department.

In saying that, I did get through it quite successfully and the feedback from the department and my acting manager was positive. I am actually glad that I learned the basics of workers compensation in this way as I believe in most cases, the quickest and most effective way to learn is by practically addressing the task.

In three words, how would you describe your team?

Supportive, helpful and caring

Where do you see yourself within Suncorp in 3 years time?

My goal is to further develop myself within Suncorp in the coming years.

How is the Suncorp preparing you for your future?

Suncorp helps me build and develop my skills and foster my growth.

I am currently part of the mentor program which has the potential to be quite useful in that there is constant support from an experienced person to assist in explaining technical issues.

 A graduate program will help graduates share experiences, goals and also to provide support to each other.