MinterEllison has announced an innovative development for the legal sector in the launch of the first legal operations graduate program into the Australian market called Revolution.

Diverse cohort

Revolution offers participants a development program designed to train future industry leaders. It includes modules in lean six sigma, design thinking, and agile methodologies for its participating graduates. Available in Melbourne, with the view for national availability in 2020, the graduates will be focussed on executing MinterEllison's digital transformation strategy within the firm's legal operations function. The strategy delivers improvements and innovations that optimise operations (such as engaging with AI and Automation), looks for efficiencies in the way services are delivered to clients, and transforms products and services. The firm says response to Revolution from the market has been strong. In the initial round, the firm received 46 applications (with applications now closed for this intake). First round interviews commence in late July with the Revolution Program itself commencing in September 2019. “It’s pleasing that the calibre of applications we have received for the Revolution program has been extremely high,” said Matthew Hibbins, MinterEllison Melbourne office managing partner. “We have attracted a diverse and high-performing graduate cohort and look forward to welcoming them in September.”

Law and tech together

The MinterEllison legal operations team is also expanding with the development of a tier of four legal operational analysts who will have experience in industry and working in operational functions. “Joining this program is about exposure to change and disruption - shaking up what it means to be a graduate at a leading law firm” said Gary Adler MinterEllison’s chief digital officer. “We need those graduates who have an understanding of the law, but also an understanding of how technology and continuous process improvement is impacting the legal industry and our clients' businesses. We will expose our graduates to a raft of new technologies and ways of working and will encourage them to leverage new technologies and ideas.” Mr Adler added, “Launching Revolution, the very first alternate legal graduate program reflects the way in which MinterEllison is innovative and genuinely embracing change.”