Allen & Overy LLP |

We’re Allen & Overy. For ninety years, we’ve been at the forefront of the legal industry, helping the world’s leading businesses to grow, innovate, and thrive. In today’s ever-changing world, we continue to break new ground, working with companies, organisations and governments on the most complex legal issues and building strong and enduring client relationships. Excelling on these challenges requires advanced technology, delivery, and innovation – which is why Allen & Overy is the only firm to have topped the Financial Times Innovative Law Firm ranking six times.

We also know that to excel, we must nurture an environment where our people are truly supported and feel that they belong. Whatever defines you, we ask you to bring your whole self to work to grow our dynamic and inclusive culture. We have a powerful commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, which means you’re cared about for who you are, every bit as much as you’re valued for what you do. Together, we work as a team, listening and learning from one another to achieve results we could never achieve on our own.

As the legal industry evolves, we’re proud to have the resources, the vision, and the mind-set to equip our people to operate in the legal landscape of the future. With us, you’ll be constantly learning and growing, benefitting from exceptional professional and personal development. For trainees, this means an in-house training programme characterised by flexibility and choice – like the chance to take a litigation course alongside your rotations. In each of your seats, you’ll support a senior associate or partner with exposure to work that crosses departments and borders. A lot of the firm’s work involves two or more jurisdictions, and our trainees also have the chance to spend six months in one of our international offices, or on secondment to one of our clients.

This is a global career with unique opportunities that you won’t find anywhere else. We will help you develop into an exceptional lawyer and learn to perform at the highest possible standard – whether or not you have a degree in law. Around half of our trainees have a degree in another subject, and everyone is given a supportive learning environment and a place to belong. Challenge the status quo with us, and you’ll find a career where you excel.

First-Year Opportunities

A&O First is our work experience programme for students in their first year of a three-year course or second year of a four-year course. This scheme will give you exposure to a commercial environment and provide you with the opportunity to start carving your career path. You’ll also be able to build a network with our people and enhance your skills to be a successful lawyer. You can apply to this programme between 8th January 2024 and 9th February 2024. For the online application form and to find more details about this, please visit aograduate.com.

Vacation Scheme

Allen & Overy offers vacation scheme opportunities to students and graduates from all degree disciplines. Each year we have two schemes across winter and summer. If you are an undergraduate, you need to be in your penultimate or final year of study to be eligible to apply.

For full details about our academic requirements, the skills and attributes we look for, and the application process, please visit aograduate.com.

Training Contracts

The Allen & Overy Training Contract is characterised by flexibility and choice. It’s a chance to really discover life as a lawyer. The seat structure ensures that you get to see as many parts of the firm as possible and that your learning is hands-on and guided by a senior associate or partner. Trainees are required to spend a minimum of 12 months in at least two of the three core departments of Banking, Corporate and International Capital Markets to really discover the depth of the firm and find the opportunities that appeal to them. The firm offers its trainees the option of completing a litigation course. This means that trainees do not need to spend time in the firm’s litigation and dispute resolution department to gain their contentious experience if they are sure their interests lie elsewhere. There are also opportunities for trainees to undertake an international or client secondment during their final year of training.

Qualifications

Our academic requirements are AAB (136 UCAS points) or equivalent at A-Level and on track for/achieved a 2:1 undergraduate degree. We do take into account mitigating circumstances, including those relating to a disability, which may have affected your grades either at school or university and there is a space on the application form to include these.

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate the drive and commitment to pursue a career in commercial law. Tech-savvy and quick to adapt, our well-organised trainees need to be effective team players and always eager to learn.

Working at Allen & Overy offers an exceptional range of benefits, including season ticket and cycle-to-work loans, a health and wellbeing centre including in-house GP, physiotherapist, dentist and dental plan, an on-site fitness centre and sports hall plus in-house beauty and wellbeing therapies, as well as access to a wide range of discounted goods and services. In the UK, we currently provide access to support through our Employee Advice Line and Private Medical Insurance. And all trainees globally have free access to our wellbeing apps (Headspace and Unmind.)

Sponsorship

When you accept our offer of a Training Contract, we will provide financial support for your law school studies.

Applications

Please apply online via aograduate.com. Students and graduates from all degree disciplines can submit applications for our Summer Vacation Scheme from 4th September 2023 until 27th October 2023 & Training Contract opportunities from 2nd October 2023 until 17th November 2023. If you are interested in applying to the Winter Vacation Scheme, please apply by the 22nd September 2023.