Overall Rating
4.9 /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
-
Overview of the Role
4.8/5
-
Experience & Company Culture
5/5
-
Recommendations & Advice
Overview of the Role
Overall, how would you describe your experience at A&O Shearman?
Overall highly positive - it has been a welcoming place that made the transition to the steep learning curve and occasionally very stressful environment way more pleasant than expected. It is a huge firm with unlimited opportunities to meet new people which is great. There is plenty of training and support for trainees, and it is relatively easy to start building your own network of people early on.
What are the main responsibilities of the role and which elements of the role do you enjoy the most?
I am a second seat trainee currently sat in derivatives & structured finance team. I was previously in ENRI doing project finance work mainly. As a trainee my main responsibilities have been to ensure that signing and closing processes go smoothly, preparing the first drafts of documents, taking a lead on communicating with the deal parties, preparing checklists, bibles and originals, occasionally doing some research and helping with presentations/business development.
To what extent does your role give you the opportunity to contribute meaningfully and feel valued by your team?
5/5
Although the trainees do the simplest most administrative tasks on any larger deal, with the scale and size of any of the AOS deals, those aspects are extremely important. Therefore a well organised trainee can make a real contribution and add value by tracking everything, namely, the status of various documents, comments and queries, signings, conditions precedents etc. I have felt on multiple occasions that I added value by doing that. There have also been times when I got to substantively review documents and take lead on smaller matters (of course consulting with the associates where necessary) which was appreciated by others and was a great experience in of itself.
How does your compensation package - including perks & benefits - fairly remunerate you for the work you do?
5/5
Overall the compensation package - including perks & benefits is adequate for the work we do and the level of our expertise and experience. Having a canteen on site and subsidised meals is great. I really enjoy having a free gym and sauna in the building. The firm s pension policy is more than fair.
How well do you feel the role is preparing you for your future career?
5/5
As previously said the learning curve is very steep, especially in the busier transactional seats. This means that one has to get used to working at high pace and on complex matters very quickly. My organisation skills, ability to manage pressure and expectations as well as quickly grasp complex concepts have already drastically improved. I therefore think that no matter where I end up after my training contract I will have a good foundation and be mentally ready to take the next step as an associate and do very well.
How would you rate the extent to which you were developing new or existing skills through formal training and your day-to-day role?
5/5
I would rate the extent to which I have been developing new and existing skills as high. At the beginning of each seat, we receive several hours of formal induction training, followed by additional lectures and sessions throughout the seat. These include both legal and non-legal topics, as well as broader skills like Negotiation Skills for Lawyers and pro bono advocacy workshops. There are also non-legal sessions on practical skills, such as delivering effective presentations and understanding financial basics. In addition to formal training, day-to-day work provides continuous learning opportunities. We work closely with our trainers, who provide structured feedback at least twice during each seat—typically at mid-seat and end-of-seat reviews—and often more frequently in practice. Learning also happens organically: by observing and listening to senior colleagues, we gain insight into client interactions, drafting techniques, and strategic thinking.
Experience & Company Culture
How is the support you receive?
5/5
HR has been proactive in organising induction sessions, formal training, and regular check-ins. They provide clear guidance on policies and processes. We work closely with our trainers, who provide structured feedback at least twice during each seat—typically at mid-seat and end-of-seat reviews—and often more frequently in practice. In some of the teams, there are also more informal mentoring structures. So, in my previous seat I had an associate buddy that I would grab a coffee or lunch with occasionally and just have a chat about how things are going, any concerns etc. We also had monthly trainee meetings where a couple of associates would sit down with us and answer any questions/address any concerns.
How is your work-life balance?
4/5
My work life balance has managed to remain decent to good given the busy and demanding nature of the work. I haven't had to work any weekends. I manage to see friends and go to the gym both during the week and on weekends. Of course some weeks are busier than the others but overall my lifestyle hasn't suffered too much.
What is the organisational culture, values and general atmosphere like?
5/5
The culture and atmosphere is very friendly. It doesn't take long to start feeling like you are a part of the firm and that you belong here.
How would you rate A&O Shearman initiatives when it comes to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility?
5/5
The firm puts so much effort into these initiatives and there is no shortage of opportunities to get involved, or attend events / join different programmes and schemes.
How would you rate A&O Shearman CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives?
5/5
These are really important to the firm. The firm makes concrete efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and strive towards sustainability. We also have an impressive pro-bono practice which has been doing some amazing work over the years. I had a chance to get involved in a disability benefits pro bono project which has been very rewarding. Doing pro bono is encouraged across the firm and different levels of seniority.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend A&O Shearman to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Because as far as working in big law and in a city law firm goes, A&O is a super nice and friendly place to do so. It allows for learning a lot and really upskilling yourself whilst surrounded by lovely people and without a toll on your mental and physical health.
How well did the role match your expectations based on the recruitment process?
5/5
When considering the recruitment & onboarding process, have you any specific tips or advice you would give to others applying to A&O Shearman?
Try to understand what makes it different to other firms - look into our AI and legal tech efforts and think about why is that so important nowadays. Try talking to people in the firm as it can be difficult to differentiate us from some our close competitors as an outsider.
Winter Vacation Scheme Student
at A&O Shearman
- Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
- Liverpool St, London EC2M 7PY, UK
-
5
