Winter Vacation Sheme Participant Review
at A&O Shearman
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Commercial Law
London
Review Submitted: December 2022
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 Experience
4.8/5
-
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.
Winter Vacation Scheme at Allen & Overy, during which I sat in tax and helped research topics such as the definition of ’financial assistance’ in corporate interest restriction rules, the exemptions of stamp duty and the new Luxembourg-UK Double Taxation Treaty. We also took part in an Innovation Challenge, for which we pitched an idea for a legal technology, and took part in multiple seminars throughout the week.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
We got a very well-rounded overview of A&O as a law firm, saw the different seats we can choose during our training contract as well as an overview of the training period as a whole. The experience was insightful, inspiring and it was nice to learn about new roles we did not know of previously.
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 developed my research, analytical and editing skills when drafting an email to a partner.
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?
4/5
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?
Everyone was extremely friendly and welcoming. A&O's reputation as the 'nice law firm' is definitely well earned and I did not meet a single person all week who made me feel like I was stepping on any toes or being a burden by taking up their time.
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?
I enjoyed the experience immensely! This was the first vacation scheme I have ever done, and after receiving a training contract offer it will probably also be the last as the week was enough to convince me that was the place I want to work at.
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
Be authentic! A&O places a lot of emphasis on the type of people they employ - your best bet is therefore to be social, considerate and a people-person.
