Australia looks to Ireland and NZ for regional lawyers

The Law Council of Australia is looking to make up for a lack of lawyers in regional areas by recruiting unemployed Irish graduates. The Council is working together the Law Society of Ireland to develop a regional work-placement proposal. Australian law firms are also looking to New Zealand for legal staff, and the New Zealand Law Society is actively promoting opportunities in regional Australia to its members following discussions with the Law Council of Australia. Michael Keir, the chairman of partners at MacDonnells Law – a firm with both metropolitan and regional offices – says that recruitment for the Townsville and Cairns offices is tough, especially when it comes to hiring experienced lawyers. “Finding suitable lawyers at a junior level is much easier than finding suitable lawyers at the mid to high level, regardless of which city you are recruiting in. But for specialist areas the chances of securing a quality candidate are better in Brisbane,” he said.

Australia looks to Ireland and NZ for regional lawyers au.legalbusinessonline.com au.legalbusinessonline.com Mon, Jul 25, 2011