Learn more about A&O Shearman

A&O Shearman is a new type of legal industry leader. The firm has unmatched depth and breadth across every major practice area, with unparalleled global capabilities that help the world’s leading businesses grow, innovate and thrive.

In today’s ever-changing world, we continue to break new ground, working with companies, organisations and governments on their most complex legal issues and building strong and enduring client relationships. With over 4000 lawyers, across 48 offices in 29 countries, you’re guaranteed to work on the most interesting, high-profile legal matters.

We pride ourselves on nurturing an environment where every talented and driven trainee can excel. That means that whatever defines you, you can bring your whole self to work. We have a strong commitment to inclusion so you can be confident that you’ll be valued for who you are and have the runway to become an exceptional lawyer, no matter your background. Together, we work as a team; listening, learning and challenging each other to achieve extraordinary results we could not achieve individually.

We’re rewriting the way law is practiced – developing and delivering innovative solutions that push our clients and industry forwards. We have the unparalleled resources, vision, and mindset needed to ensure our people thrive in the legal landscape of the future. With us, you’ll never stop learning and growing, benefitting from exceptional professional and personal development. For trainees, this means an in-house training programme characterised by variety and choice – like the chance to take a litigation course alongside your rotations. In each of your seats, you’ll support a senior associate or partner and be exposed to work that spans across departments and borders. We are a truly global firm and so a lot of the work we do involves two or more jurisdictions, and our trainees also have the chance to spend six months in one of our international offices, or on secondment to one of our clients.

This is a global career with unique opportunities that you won’t find anywhere else. We will help you develop into an exceptional lawyer and perform at the highest level – whether or not you have a degree in law. Challenge the status quo with us, and you’ll find a career where you can really excel. This is your chance to hit the ground running and discover what you’re really capable of.

Benefits

Working at A&O Shearman offers an exceptional range of benefits, including season ticket and cycle-to-work loans, a health and wellbeing centre including in-house GP, physiotherapist, and dental plan, an on-site fitness centre and sports hall plus in-house beauty and wellbeing therapies, as well as access to a wide range of discounted goods and services. In the UK, we currently provide access to support through our employee advice line and private medical insurance. And all trainees globally have free access to our health and wellbeing apps (Headspace, Help@hand and Unmind).

Winter vacation scheme

Our vacation schemes are a great way to experience our cutting-edge work and collaborative culture, as it can be difficult determining which firm will provide the right environment for you to succeed in.

From day one on this scheme, you’ll gain real and valuable skills you’ll use and develop throughout your career, working with industry-defining clients and industry-leading colleagues on live deals and cases. 

You’ll be able to attend events and presentations where you’ll learn about key elements of our practice while developing the skills you need to perform at the highest level and become a successful international commercial lawyer.

There will be time for you to engage with our early careers recruitment team, lawyers and partners as well as other participants on your scheme so you can broaden your knowledge of the firm and start building your network. 

You’ll also have the chance to participate in our REACH Buddy Scheme. This scheme is run by A&O Shearman’s Race & Ethnicity Network. It offers support during the scheme and beyond and is focused on improving the experiences of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities within the firm. The scheme is also deeply committed to enabling social mobility regardless of racial or ethnic background to ensure every one of us excels to our full ability.

Our winter vacation scheme* is for final year students only (graduating summer 2027) and will take place in our London office. You’ll earn £500 per week, and financial assistance for travel and accommodation will be discussed, if required, when you receive an offer. 

If your hard work, passion and ability shines through, you’ll be considered for a training contract at the end of your placement. 

With high expectations and high performance, this is an environment where you can constantly learn and grow. We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. In return, you’ll enjoy challenge, support and a place where you can belong and excel. 

BELONG.EXCEL. To find out more, click here.

Eligibility

Students currently in their final year of study (graduating summer 2027) across all degree disciplines. This will be for a Spring intake start date.

Application window: 3 August – 7 September 2026

* Please note that you may only make one application for either a vacation scheme or a training contract per recruitment cycle.

Summer vacation scheme

Our vacation schemes are a great way to experience our cutting-edge work and collaborative culture, as it can be difficult determining which firm will provide the right environment for you to succeed in.

From day one on this scheme, you’ll gain real and valuable skills you’ll use and develop throughout your career, working with industry-defining clients and industry-leading colleagues on live deals and cases.

You’ll be able to attend events and presentations where you’ll learn about key elements of our practice while developing the skills you need to perform at the highest level and become a successful international commercial lawyer. 

There will be time for you to engage with our early careers recruitment team, lawyers and partners as well as other participants on your scheme so you can broaden your knowledge of the firm and start building your network.

You’ll also have the chance to participate in our REACH Buddy Scheme. This scheme is run by A&O Shearman’s Race & Ethnicity Network. It offers support during the scheme and beyond and is focused on improving the experiences of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities within the firm. The scheme is also deeply committed to enabling social mobility regardless of racial or ethnic background to ensure every one of us excels to our full ability.

Our summer vacation scheme* is for penultimate year students only (graduating summer 2028) and will take place in our London office.

You’ll earn £500 per week, and financial assistance for travel and accommodation will be discussed, if required, when you receive an offer.

Our summer scheme will take place in our London office. If your hard work, passion and ability shines through, you‘ll be considered for a training contract at the end of your placement.

With high expectations and high performance, this is an environment where you can constantly learn and grow. We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. In return, you’ll enjoy challenge, support and a place where you can belong and excel. 

To find out more, click here.

Eligibility

Students currently in penultimate year of study across all degree disciplines. This will be for an autumn intake start date.

Application window: 14 September 2026 – 9 November 2026 

* Please note that you may only make one application for either a vacation scheme or a training contract per recruitment cycle.

Training contract

Our training contract is designed to help you evolve your skills, discover your strengths and bring out the best in yourself as you become a first-class lawyer. This is your chance to learn from exceptional professionals in a leading law firm, with the best support around you.

You’ll have two years of training, with four six-month seats, that immerse you in a variety of departments and practice areas. You’ll expand your knowledge of areas that interest you and explore areas that are new to you, as you discover more about the work we do.

In each seat, you’ll sit with a partner or associate who will supervise your development and show you how to excel in your role. You’ll be supported by our Early Careers HR team to determine which seat choices would be best suited to you and the firm. You will also explore the possibility of spending time on an international or client secondment.

Your training and development are important to us. Alongside your departmental work, you can attend client seminars, wider skills training and a range of talks on matters essential to A&O Shearman, including mental health and wellbeing. You will also have a wide support network of fellow trainees to swap learnings and share the experience with.

You’ll earn a salary of £56,000 pa in the first year, £61,000 pa in the second year and £150,000 pa as a newly qualified solicitor.

We welcome anyone to apply if they achieved AAB at A-Level (or equivalent) and are on track for/achieved a 2:1 undergraduate degree. We also require 7 GCSEs at grade 6 or above (including Maths and English). We do consider mitigating circumstances, including those relating to a disability, which may have affected your grades and there is a space on the application form to include these.

Our application process begins with an online application, interactive assessment and video response to two short motivational questions. If your application is successful, the next stage is an Assessment Day, with two one-on-one interviews and one written assignment.

At A&O Shearman, we recruit the best and ask for the best of you. We’ll invest in you to excel in your legal career and you’ll be valued for who you are as much as for what you do. With us, you’ll enjoy challenge, support and opportunities you couldn’t find elsewhere.

To find out more, click here.

Eligibility

Graduates across all degree disciplines.

Application window: 1 September 2026 – 5 October 2026

* Please note that you may only make one application for either a vacation scheme or a training contract per recruitment cycle.

Solicitor apprenticeships

Our Solicitor apprenticeships are designed to give school leavers the opportunity to become first-class lawyers without needing a degree.

This six-year programme offers the chance to gain the qualifications and experience you need to excel in a leading law firm.

Your time will be divided between working and studying. For four days a week, you’ll work in practice groups on real projects, live deals and challenging client cases. One day a week, you’ll spend time studying with BPP University, where you’ll be working towards an LLB (Hons) Law and Legal Practice and a Solicitor Level 7 Apprenticeship.

During the first four years of your apprenticeship, you’ll learn about the English legal system and different types of law. You’ll have coaching and skills development training at BPP University and gain skills in a wide range of areas. In every year of your apprenticeship, you’ll have dedicated mentors and other professionals supporting you.

Alongside studying, you’ll be immersed in one of A&O Shearman’s legal departments, including Finance, Corporate, Disputes, and ENRI (Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure). Your last two years of study will focus on SQE preparation and your exams. You’ll also have the chance to take on a secondment either to clients or within other A&O Shearman offices.

With our Solicitor Apprenticeship you can advance your technical knowledge and develop critical experience of the legal world; while growing the soft skills that will help you become a first-class lawyer. With exposure to departments across our firm, you’ll build a valuable network of colleagues who can support you in your future career.

You’ll earn a salary of £32,000 in the first year (increasing every year), with the addition of a £3,000 sign-on bonus.

We welcome anyone to apply if they are on track to achieving AAB at A-Level (or equivalent) and have 7 GCSEs at grade 6 or above (including Maths and English). If you’re ambitious, curious, resilient or passionate, these attributes can also benefit you. We look at every form received and take extenuating circumstances into account for grades that do not meet our requirements.

Our application process begins with an online application, interactive assessment and video response to a motivational question. If your application is successful, the next stage is an Assessment Day, with two one-on-one interviews.

At A&O Shearman, we recruit the best and ask for the best of you. We’ll invest in you to excel in your legal career and you’ll be valued for who you are as much as for what you do. With us, you’ll enjoy challenge, support and opportunities you couldn’t find elsewhere.

BELONG.EXCEL. To find out more, click here.

Eligibility

Applicants must be in either Year 13 or a school leaver without a university degree, with a minimum of AAB (or equivalent) at A-Level and 7 GCSEs at grade 6 or above (including Maths and English).

Application window: 1 December 2026 – 17 February 2027

Learn more about inclusion at A&O Shearman.

These aren’t words on a page. For us, they are inseparable, non-negotiable cornerstones that support everything we do and achieve as a business. We know that unless our people truly feel like they belong here, we can never excel.

When organisations bring people with perspectives together, our solutions are stronger and more sustainable. But that doesn’t happen by accident. It requires a truly inclusive environment. That’s why fostering a culture where our people are accepted for who they are and feel able to truly reach their full potential has been a priority for us for many years.

At A&O Shearman we go beyond hoping for a better future. We know that hope is not a plan. We actively foster an inclusive environment where people can be their true and authentic selves at work. We know that by listening, and encouraging challenge, that genuine inclusivity can be achieved and not just aspired to.

When you accept our offer of a training contract, we will provide financial support for your law school studies. For more information, click here.

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