Summer Vacation Scheme Participant Review
at A&O Shearman
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Legal/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
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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.
There were frequent opportunities to assist members of the corporate team that I was sitting in with live matters and I was able to work on a range of research-based tasks. There was also a group project to complete together with a team of other vacation scheme participants, which required teamwork, good planning and strong communication. There were a range of panel events and workshops to attend, which provided opportunities to learn about some of the most unique aspects of A&O Shearman, such as Fuse, as well as the firm's culture and different practice areas.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
The scheme gave me a very clear insight into the life of a trainee at A&O Shearman, but also offered opportunities to learn about the firm's business strategy, which were particularly valuable. The presentations about the training contract were incredibly clear and the chance to speak to trainees about the firm's culture, the work they had done so far and also their plans for the rest of their training contract was really illuminating.
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 had a lot of freedom to organise my own timetable (for example setting up meetings with people in the firm), which taught me independence, developed my confidence (in terms of messaging people I had never met) and also improved my time-management skills because there was a lot to balance over the two weeks. I also had incredible insight into, for example, the importance of English law globally, while having the opportunity to work in a professional environment was excellent for my presentation skills and also taught me to work more efficiently.
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?
The culture was welcoming and inclusive. While being a lawyer naturally requires a lot of dedication and very hard work, the firm had a collegial culture and it was obvious that the lawyers in the team where I sat enjoyed working with each other. The commitment to DE&I was exemplary and formed an important part of the vacation scheme.
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?
It was a fantastic experience - illuminating, exciting and full of opportunities to learn.
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
I'd give two main pieces of advice - firstly take the time to fill in the application form as perfectly as you can, because it's the one stage in the process that you have almost complete control over. Secondly, if you have the opportunity to visit the firm in-person before you apply, then definitely take it, because it will really bring everything you know about the firm to life.
