Can I use the term ‘graduate solicitor/graduate lawyer’?

No. Some law firms appear to have decided - no doubt for marketing and branding purposes - that a yet-to-be admitted law graduate can be referred to as a ‘graduate solicitor’ or ‘graduate lawyer’.

This is not only incorrect - it may well constitute a breach of s 25 of the Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld) (‘LPA’) and invite disciplinary proceedings against the firm and the practitioner. There is no ambiguity in these provisions and their effect is clear - if you do not hold a practising certificate and are not admitted you cannot use the words ‘solicitor’ or ‘lawyer’ to describe yourself, as it clearly implies that you are able to engage in legal practice.

It may seem like a good idea to create the impression that your graduates are solicitors or admitted - and you may even feel that they can thus be charged out at a higher rate - but the reputational damage caused by actively deceiving clients would surely negate any benefit thus obtained. Unadmitted law graduates are graduates or law clerks, not solicitors or lawyers.