Graduate Programs

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.

That means we don’t mandate a number of billable hours for lawyers every day, we don’t measure performance based on time and we don’t expect people to be constantly available.

We want to create a professional environment that is sustainable. We have a flat structure where everyone can connect and ask for help. We give our people the permission to be autonomous (but not at the expense of appropriate support). We encourage you to have a work life balance.

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

At Aptum, we understand the challenges of working in the legal field – the intellectual and emotional demands can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve gone above and beyond to create a Wellbeing Program that genuinely supports you.

Developed in collaboration with a seasoned practitioner boasting over two decades of experience in health and wellbeing, our program is designed to ensure you don’t just survive, but thrive.

Aptum partners with wellbeing consultants to bring a unique blend of practices to support our entire team’s wellbeing, which in the past has included sessions on movement and posture, yoga, breathwork and meditation.

As part of our commitment to supporting staff, 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 was founded by Nigel and Marita Evans, who share the belief that a diverse team enriches perspectives, creativity and problem-solving abilities, and creates a more welcoming space to work.

Our executive team is 40% female, 60% male. Our broader team is 58% female, 42% male. We continue to strive for diversity across our team and in positions of leadership.

We recognise that diversity is not only reflected by gender, and we value and respect differences in backgrounds, experiences and preferences.

In our graduate program, we do not prioritise applicants from particular universities.

We don’t expect you to be up and running straight away. Litigation is challenging and we acknowledge and recognise the need for ongoing learning, especially in an early-career setting.

Your induction at Aptum won’t just be a day or a week. We will train you all year. Our Litigation graduates will have Practical Legal Training (PLT) fully supported by Aptum. Our Commercial Operations graduates will have broad opportunities for ongoing in-house and external professional development opportunities in best practice business management.

One way we facilitate ongoing learning is by designing the project teams for each new matter based on the professional development needs of individuals. We want you to experience a range of matters across different industries and areas of law.

Our entire team participates in weekly, internal Learning & Development 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.

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, Director of Business Development, Strategy & Brand, 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 our graduate programs, and we recognise the significant value this can have at the beginning of your career and beyond. 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.