Graduate Program

At Aptum we believe in creating an environment that allows professionals to do their best work.  We work hard to implement set of practices that reduces workplace anxiety, gives everyone a voice, and fosters a community of connected people.

We want to create a professional environment that is sustainable.  We have a flat structure where everyone can connect and ask for help.  It is not uncommon to walk across the office to ask a senior partner a question.  In fact, this is encouraged.  One of Aptum’s five values is ‘We back ourselves’, which practically means that people are encouraged to step up and take risks in their work, without being paralysed by the fear of making a mistake.  We give our people the permission to be autonomous (but not at the expense of appropriate support).  We do not expect our people to be constantly available.

We recognise that these things help you be a better professional.

We understand the challenges of working in the legal field – particularly in litigation.  The intellectual and emotional demands can be overwhelming, and appropriate support is essential.

Aptum takes a proactive approach to wellbeing, most notably through work practices designed to mitigate stress and prevent burnout.   We believe this facilitates a sustainable cadence of doing excellence work whilst appropriately balancing your personal life.

Mentorship is a crucial element of the support system for all employees at Aptum.  Each graduate is paired with a senior partner mentor to provide support throughout their first year.  Alongside regular contact, this involves a formal monthly check-in to receive feedback, discuss challenges and address concerns, and a rotating 3-week cadence of either a mentoring lunch or a skills-based workshop.

Aptum also has an Employee Assistance Program partnership with Relationship Matters.  Relationship Matters enables employees to access free and confidential counselling services to help deal with issues that are impacting on you at work – regardless of whether those issues originate at work or in your personal life.

Aptum holds the belief that a diverse team enriches perspectives, creativity and problem-solving abilities, and creates a more welcoming space to work.  We are continuing to pay attention to fostering inclusion as an organisation.

• Our executive team is 40% female, 60% male.
• Our broader team is 50% female, 50% male. We continue to strive for gender diversity across our team and in positions of leadership.
• We recognise that diversity is not only reflected by gender and includes, but is not limited to, neurodiverse individuals, people with disabilities, First Nations people, LGBTQIA+ communities and those from different cultural, linguistic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Working in litigation is challenging and we acknowledge and recognise the need for ongoing learning, especially in an early-career setting.

Induction for graduates at Aptum isn’t just a day or a week.  One of Aptum’s values is ‘We continuously learn’ and we endeavour to provide ongoing learning opportunities.  One way we facilitate ongoing learning is by designing project teams for each new matter based on the professional development needs of individuals.  Our entire team participates in weekly, internal Learning & Development (L&D) sessions where we cover a breadth of topics.  Some of these sessions involve developing legal and business skills, whereas others will focus on general learning to support your overall growth as a professional.  Our graduates are asked to contribute with presenting L&D sessions.

Litigation graduates will have Practical Legal Training (PLT) fully supported by Aptum.

At Aptum, you will be mentored by some of the most recognised litigators in the industry, as well as seasoned business professionals from C-suite environments. Not just occupy the same office space.

Nigel Evans, Managing Director and Practice Lead (Commercial Disputes), was a barrister at the Victorian Bar before co-founding Aptum, and is widely known as a pioneer of a modernised approach to litigation in Australia.

Marita Evans, Chief Marketing Officer, practised at the Victorian Bar before co-founding Aptum, and has held positions in policy for the Commonwealth Government, as well as in marketing and public relations for magic circle firms in the UK.

Michael Buscema, Practice Lead (Tax Disputes), worked for the ATO and Commonwealth Treasury for 11 years, holding a range of senior positions including Acting Assistant Commissioner of the ATO.

Tracey Evans, Chief Ops and Finance Officer, has held senior positions in finance and human resources for global companies, worked as a corporate consultant and business advisor, and is a Chartered Accountant.

David Adason, Associate Director, was previously an Associate to a Justice of the Federal Court and, as well as being a senior litigator, is the architect of Aptum’s systems and technology.

Mentorship is a crucial part of the learning support provided in Aptum’s graduate program, and we recognise the significant value this can have at the beginning of your career and beyond.  Alongside a formal check-in with feedback on development, a skills-based workshop is provided for graduates every six weeks with a senior partner to build the essential capabilities to be an effective litigator.

You will work closely with our directors and practice leads, though your mentorship will extend more broadly across the team. We ensure you are involved in a variety of projects with different people to learn from.