Summer Vacation Scheme Review
at A&O Shearman
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Commercial Law, Corporate Law
London
Review Submitted: July 2025
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.
What a typical day looked like, was a couple of in-depth sessions in the morning exploring an aspect of the firm- the Finance practice, or the firm’s inclusion policies for example- followed by sitting with your trainer for the rest of the day and getting some work done. I sat in Litigation & Investigations, and as it was a quite busy period for the team, I got to do some really useful work, such as research tasks, taking verbatim minutes for meetings, and I even got to go to court.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
The scheme was immeasurably helpful in trying to contextualise what life would be like as a Trainee Solicitor at A&O Shearman. A lot of the tasks my trainer gave me were typical trainee tasks, and we were informed severally during talks of what a trainee’s role would be like, and how the firm makes sure trainees are supported to perform in that role. I also learned a lot about the firm and its unique position in the legal market, and what makes a client pick up the phone to instruct A&O Shearman on a case or a deal.
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?
Absolutely. As alluded to before, I had to take verbatim minutes, and while that doesn’t seem like much, in Litigation, it’s actually a very very important task- every little detail matters, so as much as possible that’s being discussed needs to be noted down. I struggled with it at first because it was a surprisingly difficult task, but then I got some really good feedback and improved massively. I also got to hone my attention to detail, particularly in the context of working on redacting some documents.
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?
Genuinely, it was great. Everyone was lovely, from the PAs to the Partners. Everyone was immensely busy, and yet made sure to take time out of their day to talk to me. Cannot speak highly enough of it.
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?
To a very high extent. Loved the work, loved the people, loved the firm.
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
It sounds like the most basic advice, but I would genuinely say to know yourself and the story you’re trying to tell in the application. Think about work and life experiences you’ve had, think about the skills those have developed and how they’re useful to commercial law and specifically A&O Shearman, and think about why having those skills uniquely positions you to contribute to the firm. Then methodically tell that story.
