Vacation Scheme Student Review
at A&O Shearman
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Commercial Law, Corporate Law, Legal/Law
London
Review Submitted: July 2026
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
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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.
The A&O Shearman vacation scheme provided a fantastic insight into life at a leading law firm, with vacation scheme students able to participate in a diverse range of tasks and activities. This included conducting legal research, contributing to business development initiatives, and completing a first draft of transaction documents. This was complemented by extensive training sessions to develop our understanding of the law and a lawyer’s role in transactions, advisory matters, and contentious cases. On a personal level, those from across the team were highly encouraging and always willing to provide support. I would highly recommend!
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 provided ample opportunity to develop our understanding of A&O Shearman as a business (particularly post-merger in an increasingly technological world), as well as the potential roles available across the team.
Please rate how insightful you found the insight
5/5
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
I significantly strengthened my drafting and legal research skills, whilst becoming more familiar with a corporate office environment.
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?
Fantastic - the office had a positive atmosphere and everyone was willing to provide support where needed.
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?
The A&O Shearman vacation scheme was a brilliant, and thoroughly enjoyable, opportunity to develop my personal skillset and learn more about a firm at the forefront of legal innovation. The social events held during the scheme also provided a great chance to spend time with my fellow scheme attendees.
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
Be extremely clear on your motivations for applying to A&O Shearman; also try to be aware of issues affecting the broader legal market (as well as how A&O Shearman is standing out from the competition in combatting these). Set aside time to develop your general commercial awareness and how the firm can support clients in a changing world. Most importantly, be authentic and curious!
Please rate the future employment prospects at A&O Shearman
5/5
Did you receive an offer to return as an intern or a graduate?
Waiting to hear
