Maddocks: FIRM SPOTLIGHT
- Jun 8
- 5 min read
Established: 1885
Size (personnel): 600+
Office Locations (Australia): Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra
Practice Areas:
Commercial
Public Law
Construction & Projects
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Employment, Safety & People
Real Estate
ABOUT MADDOCKS
Founded in Melbourne in 1885, Maddocks is one of Australia's leading independent law firms. With offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra, we work with corporations, government and not-for-profit organisations across sectors including infrastructure, education, healthcare and technology.
We have a long-standing reputation for integrity, collaboration and high-quality legal work, and are particularly well known for our public sector expertise and commitment to pro bono. Maddocks has advised Victorian local councils for more than 100 years and continues to play an active role in public interest legal work.
Today, Maddocks has over 600 people, including more than 90 partners, and continues to advise clients across the public and private sectors on complex and meaningful matters.
RECENT MATTERS
Maddocks works across a broad mix of corporate, government, property, technology and renewable energy matters.
Recent examples include advising Ultra Violette on its strategic partnership with a US equity firm, advising on the Australia 108 development in Melbourne, and advising PCL Construction on the 94 MW Gunsynd Solar Project in Queensland. The firm has also worked with clients including Optus, Aristocrat Technologies and Samsung on major technology acquisitions and commercial matters.
Alongside this work, Maddocks continues to act for all levels of government on complex legal issues, reflecting the firm’s long-standing strength in the public sector.
RECOGNITION AND ACHIEVEMENTS
2027: 84 Maddocks lawyers were recognised in Best Lawyers Australia, with 28 more listed as Ones to Watch and eight Lawyer of the Year awards.
2027: Maddocks was recognised in Best Law Firms Australia across 39 areas of law, including 16 national-tier rankings.
2026: Maddocks was recognised by the AAGE as the #1 Top Graduate Employer in law (medium-sized programs list) and as a Top Intern Program (large-sized programs)
2026: Maddocks was ranked in Chambers Asia-Pacific across 15 practice areas, with 22 lawyers individually recognised.
2026: Maddocks was also recognised in Doyle's Guide as a leading firm in Property & Real Estate, Town Planning & Development, and Environment & Climate Change.
2026: Maddocks received WTR 1000 rankings in trade mark enforcement, litigation, prosecution and strategy, and had strong representation in Lawyers Weekly and Australasian Lawyer awards.
2025: Maddocks was recognised by the AAGE as the #1 Top Graduate Employer in law and as a Top Intern Program (medium-sized programs list)
2025: Maddocks was recognised in Australasian Lawyer's Future Legal Leaders and for Deal Maker of the Year - Debt Market.
2025: Maddocks people were also recognised through the Urban Leader Awards and the Law Institute of Victoria President's Award for Outstanding Service.
2024: Maddocks was named Australasian Lawyer Law Firm of the Year.
2024: Maddocks was recognised as a 5-Star Employer of Choice and won Lawyers Weekly's Australian Law Award for Government Team of the Year.
2024: Maddocks delivered more than 17,000 pro bono hours in FY24, exceeding the national target, and supported major community initiatives including social housing projects in Victoria.
THE FUTURE AT MADDOCKS
Our vision is to be the modern Australian law firm. A key part of this is continued investment in innovation, including dedicated programs like our Innovus initiative and the use of legal technology and Al to improve how we deliver work for clients.
We are also investing in the next generation of lawyers through our redesigned graduate program, which focuses on building future-ready skills, legal excellence and capability in areas such as legal technology and Al. This ensures our graduates are well equipped to succeed in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.
We are focused on staying at the forefront of areas that will shape the future of the legal industry, including infrastructure, energy, technology and evolving areas such as ESG and climate risk.
This focus on innovation and growth sits alongside a strong commitment to our clients, our people and the communities we work with. Together, these priorities position Maddocks to continue to grow and have a meaningful impact into the future.
REPRESENTING OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Maddocks embodies its mission by focusing on making a difference for clients, the community and each other. Our people are supported to build strong working relationships, contribute to meaningful work and be part of a genuinely collaborative culture.
Our employee value proposition, Do What Matters, reflects this mindset. It encourages our people to focus on work that has impact and aligns with their goals, whether that is client work, pro bono opportunities or professional development.
From the start of their careers, clerks and graduates are trusted to get involved and supported to succeed. We are known for being accessible, responsive and committed to helping our people build rewarding careers.
WHY MADDOCKS
Our lawyers work closely with both private and public sector clients on complex legal matters, giving early career lawyers exposure to meaningful, real work, from the start. We foster an open, collaborative culture where clerks and graduates regularly work directly with senior lawyers, partners and clients, while being supported to learn and build confidence from the outset.
We support our people to Do What Matters professionally, personally and in the community. That means genuine flexibility, approachable leaders and a culture where people are supported to do their best work. Our pro bono partnerships, staff volunteering program and active diversity and inclusion networks also give graduates the chance to contribute to work that has real impact beyond the firm.
Maddocks continues to be recognised for both the quality of our work and the strength of our people and programs. This includes being named the #1 Top Graduate Employer in law by the AAGE in 2025 and 2026, as well as recognition in Best Lawyers and Best Law Firms rankings and Chambers Asia-Pacific across multiple practice areas.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
Penultimate and final year law students can apply for our Seasonal Clerkship Program, which offers hands-on experience across two practice areas, structured training, and the opportunity to work on active client matters. Clerks are supported by a buddy, coordinator and supervising partner, and take part in development sessions and networking opportunities.
We recruit our graduates from our clerkship pool. Graduates complete three four-month rotations across different practice groups, supported by a 3-day national graduate induction event, structured PLT training, regular feedback and early exposure to high-quality legal work. Our Graduate Program is designed to build capability, confidence and career direction from day one, including developing future-ready skills in areas such as legal technology.
We look for people who are curious, collaborative and motivated to learn. Strong communication skills, sound judgement, initiative and a genuine interest in working closely with clients and colleagues are all important at Maddocks.
Maddocks offers an inclusive and supportive environment where people are trusted with meaningful work early and encouraged to grow throughout their careers. For students and graduates looking for quality work, strong support and a collaborative culture, Maddocks offers a well-rounded start to a successful legal career.
