Winter Vacation Scheme Review
at A&O Shearman
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Commercial Law
London
Review Submitted: April 2024
Overall Rating
5 /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!
5/5
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Overview of Experience
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
-
Company Culture
5/5
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Overall Experience
5/5
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Recommendations and Advice
Overview of Experience
Please give an overview of the insight and what was involved on a day-to-day basis.
On the first day of the scheme we had various introductory events where we learnt about the firm and key practice areas. After that, each day we were provided breakfast, then spent time in our selected practice area (mine was litigation) where we shadowed an associate and got assigned various tasks. Additionally, we had some group talks/sessions throughout the week and had a group project to complete in any downtime. On two evenings we had a social with dinner.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
It was great to learn more specific information about the training contract. Exposure to the practice areas helped me better understand the different seats available and the day to day tasks of a trainee in each seat. Furthermore, we had a session which went through more general information such as the SQE, which client secondments are available, which international secondments are available, and what the route to qualification with the firm looks like. I also got a better understanding of the support offered trainees.
Please rate how insightful you found the insight
5/5
How would you rate the structure of the insight
5/5
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
I learnt a lot of specific A&O knowledge, including what day to day work a solicitor does and what their main practice areas are. I also increased my commercial knowledge through talks on corporate law, banking law, bonds and capital markets. This was implemented through my time in a practice area. Lastly, the group task was great for creative group work and thinking outside the box to come together and make a presentation which matched the pitch.
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
5/5
Company Culture
How would you rate business leader involvement during the insight
5/5
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
Everyone was very friendly and welcoming which made for a great atmosphere at the firm. In my seat I could ask anyone nearby any questions I had and another associate helped me when my associate had to miss a day because she was ill.
A&O is a very inclusive firm and I was able to talk to trainers involved in their variety of D&I networks, plus listen to a panel explaining the work/events they do.
A&O is a very inclusive firm and I was able to talk to trainers involved in their variety of D&I networks, plus listen to a panel explaining the work/events they do.
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 really enjoyable with a range of classroom session, group work, networking, evening socials and work shadowing. It allowed me to meet a variety of people across the firm and get a really good feel for how being a trainee would be. The tasks I was given were very interesting and gave me independence to complete my own research and reviews with time to discuss the work I did with my supervisor at the end.
Please rate your level of enjoyment on the insight
5/5
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
I would advise people to research into A&O’s top practice areas and develop a thorough understanding as to what lawyers in each of those areas do. This will help complete the technical and case study part of the assessment centre as well as give you examples of work/deals you can use for your motivation in applying. I would also look into what distinguishes the firm from their competitors such as the culture.
