Winter Vacation Scheme Student 2025 Review

Item: Winter Vacation Scheme Student 2025 at A&O Shearman
Rating: 5
Author: Anonymous

at A&O Shearman

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

Legal/Law

London

Review Submitted: December 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 - Overview of Experience

5/5 - Skills Development

5/5 - Company Culture

5/5 - Overall Experience

5/5 - Recommendations and Advice

Overview of Experience

Please give an overview of the insight and what was involved on a day-to-day basis.

The winter vacation scheme at A&O Shearman was a really incredible week! It involved a mixture of talks led by various departments at the firm and time with trainers who assigned tasks for us to complete. Outside of this scheduled time, it was encouraged that we partake in coffee chats with trainees and associates to gain a varied insight into the firm and its culture.

How would you rate the structure of the insight

5/5

What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?

The scheme gave me a true insight into the inter-workings of the business and potential roles that could become available if I were lucky enough to return to the office!

Please rate how insightful you found the insight

5/5

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

Most definitely; both professional procedural skills (e.g. use of specific legal AI technologies) and soft skills (e.g. developing my confidence and ability to interact with new people).

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

What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?

The culture of the firm was honestly the notable takeaway from the experience. From my short experience (1 week), I found the culture to be so incredibly welcoming and kind. Every person I interacted with at the firm was so generous with their time, and it appeared that the general atmosphere was one where everyone supported one another to achieve the best and work their hardest.

How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?

5/5

Please rate how valued you felt during your insight?

5/5

How would you rate business leader involvement during the insight

5/5

How would you rate the networking opportunities?

5/5

Overall Experience

To what extent did you enjoy the insight?

It was such an incredible week and I would change nothing!

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

Would you recommend A&O Shearman to a friend?

Yes

What tips or advice would you give to others applying to A&O Shearman

In application question's be specific to the firm! Always frame your answers based on the firm's agility assessment frameworks and link to personal experiences always, even if not legal work experiences.