AO Shearman |

A&O Shearman is a new type of legal industry leader. Formed via a merger of two leading UK and US firms in 2024, the firm is an unparalleled combination of truly global capabilities helping the world’s leading businesses grow, innovate and thrive. 

In a fast-moving world, A&O Shearman continue to lead from the front. We work with companies, organisations and governments on their most complex legal issues to build strong client relationships. With offices across the world, you are guaranteed to work on the most interesting, high profile legal work. 

We pride ourselves on nurturing an environment where every talented and driven trainee can excel. That means that whatever defines you, you can bring your whole self to work. We have a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion so you can be confident that you’ll be valued for who you are and have the runway to become an exceptional lawyer, no matter your background. Together, we work as a team; listening, learning and challenging each other to achieve extraordinary results we could not achieve individually.

The merger has made the firm a completely unique proposition – we’re able to develop and deliver innovative solutions that push our clients and industry forwards. We have the resources, vision, and mindset needed to ensure our people operate in the legal landscape of the future. With us, you’ll never stop learning and growing, benefitting from exceptional professional and personal development. For trainees, this means an in-house training programme characterised by variety 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 and be exposed to work that spans across departments and borders. We are a truly global firm and so a lot of the work we do 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 perform at the highest level – whether or not you have a degree in law. Challenge the status quo with us, and you’ll find a career where you can really excel. This is your chance to hit the ground running and discover what you can really accomplish.

First-Year Opportunities

A&O Shearman’s First Year programme is more than just work experience. It’s your first chance to experience first-hand what life at a globally leading firm is like. Our programme has different touchpoints spread across a year and gives you access to a global support network designed to provide all the information, contacts and experience you need to decide whether a legal career at A&O Shearman is right for you. During the scheme, we help you develop the skills we look for in future trainees. You will learn what it’s like to be part of our community and get a sense of how much we could help you achieve when you join us. You will also be fast-tracked to assessment centre for a Summer Vacation Scheme. This programme is open for students in their first year of a three-year course or second year of a four-year course. You can apply to this programme between 5th January 2025 and 9th February 2026.

Vacation Scheme

A&O Shearman offers vacation scheme opportunities to students and graduates from all degree disciplines. Each year we have two schemes across winter and summer. These are designed to immerse you in how to excel at the highest level of law. You will experience the excitement of tackling complex challenges and being part of a friendly and dynamic firm that supports you from day one.

For our Winter 2025 Vacation Scheme, you will need to be in your final year of study in any degree discipline. Please note, this will be for a spring intake start date. For our Summer 2026 Vacation Scheme, you need to be in your penultimate year in any degree discipline. Please note, this will be an autumn intake start date.

Training Contract

The A&O Shearman Training Contract is characterised by flexibility and choice. Our training programme is meticulously designed and continually evolving to provide the foundations you need to find your strengths and develop into an exceptional lawyer. This is where talent excels. Your training will be based on four six-month rotations (known as ‘seats’), through a number of departments or practice areas. The seat structure ensures that you experience as many parts of the firm as possible and that your learning is hands-on and guided by a senior associate or partner.

You will also explore the possibility of spending a seat on an international or client secondment, which will give you the chance to grow and strengthen your network, and gain contentious experience, either by spending a seat in our Litigation department, or by completing a Litigation course and obtaining experience via legal advice clinics.

Throughout the two years of your Training Contract, we will work closely with you to ensure you have the support to reach your full potential and become a successful commercial solicitor. Due to the nature of our work, you should expect to sit in one-two finance seats during your Training Contract. This will align with the jobs available at qualification.

For March 2027, we welcome applications from Law Graduates eligible to start their SQE studies in Spring 2026 or Non-Law Graduates who have completed or are completing their PGDL and will be eligible to start their SQE studies in Spring 2026. For March 2028, we welcome applications from Non-Law Graduates who can start their PGDL studies no later than Spring 2026 and will then start their SQE studies in Spring 2027.

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 A&O Shearman offers an exceptional range of benefits, including season ticket and cycle-to-work loans, a health and wellbeing centre including in-house GP, physiotherapist, 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 health and wellbeing apps (Headspace, Help@hand and Unmind.)

Law School Fees

When you accept our offer of a Training Contract, we will provide financial support for your law school studies. For more information, please visit our website.

Whether you’re applying to A&O Shearman, or any other law firm, this guide will provide you with advice, tips, and key information on application processes, interview prep, and assessment days.