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A&O Shearman

Student Review

at A&O Shearman

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

Corporate Law

London

Review Submitted: July 2023

Overall Rating

4.8 /5

The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!

4.5/5 - Overview of Experience
4.8/5 - Skills Development
5/5 - Company Culture
4.5/5 - Overall Experience
5/5 - Recommendations and Advice

Overview of Experience

Please give an overview of the insight and what was involved on a day-to-day basis.
Mondays and Fridays mostly consisted of workshops and talks. These covered a broad range of topics, from life at the firm to an overview of a specific practice area. The rest of the week we spent in a particular department (e.g. Corporate) completing typical trainee tasks with the guidance and supervision of an associate.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
Very useful, if occasionally overwhelming. A&O is so large and the topics covered were so varied that it was sometimes hard to put it all together. However, I now feel I have an invaluable understanding of the work of a large corporate law firm.
Please rate how insightful you found the insight
5/5
How would you rate the structure of the insight
4/5

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
Absolutely. I learnt a great deal about the team and department I sat in. This helped me develop my legal drafting and research skills in this area. In the course of completing a group innovation challenge, I also developed my teamwork and collaboration skills.
How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
5/5
How would you rate the knowledge learned around industry-specific skills during the experience?
5/5
How would you rate the knowledge learned around personal or professional skills during the experience?
5/5
Please rate how the knowledge learned has helped you with regards to your career development
4/5

Company Culture

How would you rate business leader involvement during the insight
5/5
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
Unfailingly friendly and collegiate. Graduate recruitment went out of their way to make us feel welcome. My team and my trainer went to great lengths to answer questions and set up meetings. Everyone I met was considerate and polite.
How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
5/5
How would you rate the networking opportunities?
5/5
Please rate how valued you felt during your insight?
5/5

Overall Experience

To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
The insight was undeniably stressful, given that our performance on the scheme is technically part of the training contract assessment process. However, the socials in particular were great fun, and, overall, I enjoyed the experience.
Please rate your level of enjoyment on the insight
4/5
Please rate how your experience met your expectations
5/5
Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
I was paid

Recommendations and Advice

Please rate the future employment prospects at A&O Shearman
5/5
Would you recommend A&O Shearman to a friend?
Yes
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to A&O Shearman
Identify a culture fit. A&O really prides itself on having friendly, collegiate culture. Is this something that is important to you? Can you show this? Then A&O may be the right choice.
In This Review
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