Reciprocal Secondment Program
About the program
The Reciprocal Secondment Program is currently on hold. The AGLS Professional Development Committee will consider the future delivery of the program in the context of broader work being undertaken by the APSC in relation to the APS.
The Reciprocal Secondment Program involves short-term secondments between high-performing government in-house lawyers and private practice lawyers.
Among other benefits, the program helps in-house lawyers to strengthen their current legal professional skills, as well as build insights and gain new perspectives from other legal practices.
The program was informed by the Secretary's Review of Commonwealth Legal Services (the Secretary's Review) which noted support among stakeholders for a partnership with private sector law firms to offer secondment opportunities. The program involves a reciprocal secondment between participating lawyers for a minimum 4-month and maximum 6-month secondment term.
During the first 2 phases of a pilot, the program was targeted at junior-mid level lawyers in the private sector with 2–4 years post-admission experience, and government lawyers at the APS5–6 level in government agencies. Each secondee retained their employment status at their home organisation while performing duties at the host organisation.
Benefits
The program gives secondees a valuable opportunity to:
- gain a greater understanding of the public/private sector environment
- acquire new skills and capability by gaining access to experiences and opportunities
- expand their professional network.
Participant feedback
From secondees:
This opportunity has enabled me to develop my verbal communication and organisational skills in a high pressure environment, and to familiarise myself with different processes.
I also enjoyed being given the time to get involved in the forensic analysis of various matters without critical time pressures that are often associated with private practice work.
[This opportunity gave me] exposure to how another Commonwealth agency manages legal risk and provides its legal services. Whilst furthering my technical skills and gaining experience in a new subject matter has also been very valuable, I think that exposure in how my host organisation’s legal division runs its business is most valuable as I can apply that knowledge and experience in how I deliver legal services at my home organisation.
From supervisors:
[I valued] the opportunity to contribute to the career development of two junior lawyers.
[I enjoyed] the opportunity to learn and observe different working styles, share different ways of working and approaches to providing legal services, and draw on a different skillset.
It has been great to get an insight into how the legal division in another APS agency operates and their approach to drafting legal advice and liaising with client areas. This has encouraged us to reflect on our own practices and explore how we can improve.