Ashurst is a leading international law firm with world class capability and a prestigious global client base. We have 30 offices in 20 countries and offer the reach and insight of a global network, combined with the knowledge and understanding of local markets. With more than 400 partners and a further, 600 lawyers working across numerous time zones, we are able to respond to clients wherever and whenever required. As a global team, we have a reputation for successfully managing large and complex multi-jurisdictional transactions, disputes and projects and delivering outstanding outcomes for clients.

Our in-depth understanding of our clients and commitment to providing exceptional standards of service has seen it become a trusted adviser to local and global corporates, financial institutions and governments on all areas of commercial law. Our people are our greatest asset and we bring together lawyers of the highest calibre with the technical knowledge, industry experience and regional know-how to provide the incisive advice clients need.

Our vision is to be the most progressive global law firm. For us, "progressive" is a mindset, an approach to how we do things. We instinctively take a fresh perspective on situations, exploring whether there are better ways of delivering practical, commercial solutions to the challenges our clients face in today's rapidly changing business landscape.

The best way to understand what it feels like to work here is to actually work here. Every year, we hold two vacation schemes – a single one-week scheme for final year students and graduates and a three-week summer scheme for final years and graduates of all degree disciplines as well as penultimate-year law students – each designed to give you an intensive experience of our culture and the kind of work we do.

We work hard to make sure they're as useful and as stimulating as possible; in fact, we organise the schemes along with a committee of trainees who've been where you've been and know the best way to introduce you to the firm.

You'll see either one or two different departments and will be supervised by a qualified solicitor who'll get you involved in real work. You'll learn about our specialist areas by attending workshops and exploring a case study that's based on a recent transaction.

There's also a chance to get involved in team-building events to experience the way we work together, and social events to get to know our associates and current trainees away from the bustle of daily life.

Winter vacation scheme: 5 – 9 December 2022 

Summer vacation scheme: 26 June – 14 July 2023

A training contract at Ashurst will move your mind beyond technical knowledge of the law. Ultimately, we want to help you become a thought leader with a reputation for clear, perceptive and influential advice – a professional in whom governments and leading businesses the world over can place their trust.

This isn’t an easy route to take. You’ll need to become a shrewd negotiator, have an ability to read both balance sheets and behaviours, and become a commercial strategist with a deep understanding of specific industries.

Our training contract will start you on that road. We will plan closely with you four seats of six months each, that will broaden your world view and hone your talents. At least one seat will be in a global loans or global markets and another will be transactional.  We will also encourage you to join an overseas office or go on secondment to one of our most valued clients.

All our trainees attend The University of Law to complete post graduate study. If you haven't yet completed a law degree you will undertake the Post Graduate Diploma in Law (PGDL), which is a replacement of the GDL, before moving on to complete an LLM Legal Practice Course (SQE1 and 2) which is unique to Ashurst and is a replacement of the previously known Legal Practice Course (LPC). 

We offer the following benefits to future joiners:

- bursaries for The University of Law that cover course fees and provide £10,000 per year towards maintenance costs (£9,000 if you study the PGDL outside London)

- interest-free loans of £2,000, repayable in instalments once you start your training contract.

• Financial regulatory
• Investment funds
• Global loans
• Global markets
• RSSG
• International Projects Group (IPG)
• Projects Europe
• Real estate
• Competition
• Employment
• Disputes
• Tax
• Corporate transactions
• Digital economy

• Corporate & Commercial

• Abu Dhabi
• Austin
• Beijing
• Brisbane
• Brussels
• Canberra
• Dubai
• Dublin
• Frankfurt
• Glasgow
• Hong Kong
• Jakarta*
• Jeddah*
• London
• Los Angelos
• Luxembourg
• Madrid
• Melbourne
• Milan
• Munich
• New York
• Paris
• Perth
• Port Moresby
• Riyadh
• Shanghai
• Singapore
• Sydney
• Tokyo
• *Associated office

• A4ID
• African Prisons Project
• AIRE Centre
• Amicus
• Competition Law Pro Bono Scheme
• Fair Trials International
• Free Representation Unit
• IPSEA
• LawWorks
• PILnet (Public Interest Law)
• Reprieve
• The Bingham Centre
• The Royal Courts of Justice Advice Bureau
• Tower Hamlets Law Centre
• Toynbee Hall Legal Advice Centre
• TrustLaw Connect
• UnLtd

• Black Lawyers’ Directory
• Bright Network
• City Solicitors Horizons
• DiversCity
• Future First
• Legal Apprenticeships
• PRIME
• Rare Recruitment
• Social Mobility Foundation
• Stonewall
• Sutton Trust
• The Access Project
• The Switch