Vacation Scheme Student Review
at A&O Shearman
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Commercial Law
London
Review Submitted: July 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
-
Skills Development
5/5
-
Company Culture
5/5
-
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.
- Attending workshops with the other vacation scheme students covering A&O Shearman's key practice areas, as well as DEI.
- Completing work within your allocated department. Vacation scheme students were able to submit preferences in advance.
- Having meetings with trainees from departments you are particularly interested in to find out more about life in different practice areas.
- Working on a group project with other vacation scheme students culminating in a presentation.
- Completing work within your allocated department. Vacation scheme students were able to submit preferences in advance.
- Having meetings with trainees from departments you are particularly interested in to find out more about life in different practice areas.
- Working on a group project with other vacation scheme students culminating in a presentation.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
It was really interesting and highlighted how a solicitor's role is significantly different depending on which practice area the solicitor specialises in. It was also useful to hear about A&O Shearman's core practice areas and compulsory seat requirements during the training contract.
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 significantly more about working life in the department I was allocated.
- I gained greater insight into how solicitors attract and interact with clients.
- I developed my commercial awareness and knowledge of the legal profession, as well as my skills in analysis, teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and innovation.
- I gained greater insight into how solicitors attract and interact with clients.
- I developed my commercial awareness and knowledge of the legal profession, as well as my skills in analysis, teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and innovation.
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?
A&O Shearman has a friendly culture and a welcoming atmosphere.
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?
I really enjoyed gaining so much insight in such a short space of time. I found that the sessions were very engaging and the opportunity to ask questions to lawyers at all career stages, from trainees during coffee chats to the London Managing Partner during a Q&A session, meant that I was able to gain a surprisingly wholistic impression of the firm given the fairly short length of the scheme.
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 and reimbursed expenses
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
- Attend events at the firm before applying.
- Take your time over the application (spending 6-12 hours on it is normal).
- Improve your commercial awareness by listening to law firm podcasts and reading commercial news.
- Develop a high-level knowledge of trainee tasks in A&O Shearman's core practice areas.
- Take your time over the application (spending 6-12 hours on it is normal).
- Improve your commercial awareness by listening to law firm podcasts and reading commercial news.
- Develop a high-level knowledge of trainee tasks in A&O Shearman's core practice areas.
