Summer Associate
US Summer Associate Program - London
US Summer Associate Program - London
Exceed your own expectations.
A&O Shearman runs a 10-week US Summer Associate Program based in our London office. If you’re interested in all US aspects of international capital market transactions and are looking to get your career in law started, this is the program for you.
You can join one of the world’s leading financial centres as a Summer Associate and find yourself as a fully integrated part of our diverse and vibrant culture. To take on this role, you must display outstanding academic achievement, a strong sense of initiative, and a dedication and desire to take responsibility as soon as you join.
Eligibility
We’re able to welcome 1L and 2L law students studying at US universities.
Program duration
10 weeks between May-July 2025
About the program
The 2025 summer program will be based in London with the prospect of gaining a full-time entry-level role in 2026. You’ll tackle a full schedule of training sessions on the key elements of our US Corporate Finance group delivered by the group’s partners. You’ll also meet representatives from our pro bono, diversity, equity and inclusion teams, as well as our network groups to learn more about our work in these areas.
Across the 10 weeks, you’ll not only be working as a junior associate on some of the world’s most interesting work, but you’ll also take part in weekly social events to help you get to know the exciting city of London.
Reasons to join
If you want experience practicing US law in London, and the chance to be fully integrated in our international network, this program is for you.
A supportive team
You’ll be part of an award-winning team from day one, engaging directly with partners and associates on deal, allowing you to take on early responsibility and develop client relationship skills. You’ll be supported in the opportunity to contribute to both international pro bono, and local community investment initiatives.
Global practice
We offer one of the deepest and most sophisticated US practices outside the United States, advising on all US aspects of international capital markets transactions, including equity, debt, and high yield offerings. Here, you’ll develop unrivalled international connections within the broadest international network among the leading global firms, with more than 40 offices around the world, spanning Europe, the Americas, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East.
Client variety
You’ll be able to represent a wide range of clients including multinational corporations, financial institutions and governments on the most complex legal challenges they face.
Benefits
Alongside the above professional benefits to joining our summer program, you’ll also receive a competitive salary and global mobility support with relocation.
Katrien Wilmots
Associate, ICM US Corporate Finance Group, London
I decided to come to London for a variety of reasons. For one, I’d lived in the city before and I knew that I’d like living here – it’s a global city, but has a neighbourhood feel. There’s plenty of culture, green space and good food to enjoy. My relocation to London was very smooth. A&O Shearman organised the moving company to help me move, a relocation agency to organise apartment viewings, and set me up with temporary accommodation for the first couple of weeks too.
My experience as a summer associate in the A&O Shearman London office was a good mix of getting introduced to the practice of the USCF team and getting to know the individual team members. The social activities were really fun and well organised.
The team really makes an effort to include summer associates on deals so that you can get relevant work experience. As associates, we’re immediately involved in the project management of the deal and are client facing from the beginning. Almost all of our transactions involved cross-border elements, and we worked closely with our offices across Europe, the Middle East and Africa on all our deals. Being in a team where you have real responsibility means that while the learning curve is steep, it’s also very rewarding.
Katrien
Valerio Di Mascio
Associate, US Corporate Finance Group, London
I’m Italian and did my LLM at Columbia Law School in 2015 but decided to come back to Italy for personal reasons after my graduation. Then I worked for four years in Milan in international law firms until 2019, when I took a year off to finish my PhD dissertation on the regulation of crypto assets under EU and US securities law. At this point, I decided to pursue my initial goal, which was to work in London, and started interviewing with law firms in London – and this took me to A&O Shearman!
Compared to other cities, London gives you exposure to high profile clients and deals and significantly expands your professional network. London is definitely the place to be if you’d like to boost your career in capital markets or in all finance-related practices.
I wasn’t part of A&O Shearman’s summer associate programme, but I enjoy working with summer associates and giving them useful tips on how to approach this job.
I truly enjoy working in the USCF team in London for many reasons. First, you have the privilege to work on top market deals with sophisticated clients. Second, the practice is very broad – as you work on both ECM and DCM deals, and on both registered and unregistered offerings. Third, you have the chance to work on a broad range of deals, such as IPOs, rights offerings, or investment grade bonds. And, most importantly, the work environment is super friendly, and they always respect your work-life balance.
Valerio
What we look for
If you’re keen to apply, we want to hear from you. We’re not looking for a polished individual, but if you’re positive, proactive and curious. You’ll also need to show us some consistent work experience and some exposure to working in large international institutions. Beyond that, you’ll need strong academic credentials and a high level of accuracy and attention to detail, as well as good communication and project management skills.
We welcome applications from individuals with diverse social, economic, cultural and personal backgrounds. We look favourably on Law Review, Moot Court and other indicators of intellectual curiosity and drive.
Your cover letter should include your motivations for starting a career in London and we’d like to hear about your interest and experience in corporate finance and European markets.
Click here to register your interest for our US Summer Associate Program.
To submit your resume and cover letter outside of the OCI recruiting window, please email us at uscfrecrutiment@aoshearman.com.
Application Process
On-Campus Interviewing (OCI):
- We’ll be meeting candidates at OCI recruitment fairs and conducting 20-minute virtual interviews where you will have the opportunity to meet with a partner working in US Corporate Finance within A&O Shearman.
- Successful candidates will be invited for a second round of virtual interviews, consisting of two interviews lasting 30 minutes each. Each interview will be conducted by a partner and an associate.
Candidates who successfully complete these interviews will be offered a place in our Summer Associate Program in London, starting the following summer.
Then & Now
Our A&O Shearman Lawyers all started from somewhere. From all kinds of backgrounds. Through every stage of their life, from personal to professional and the challenges along the way, our lawyers look back on the journeys that got them where they are today.
These videos, originally produced under the A&O legacy, authentically showcase the experiences and opportunities synonymous with A&O Shearman.
Ghazi
Growing up in Jordan with a genetic condition, Ghazi learned to live life despite limitations. With the grades, curiosity and interest, there was nothing to lose and everything to gain. His story shows anything is possible.
Jennifer
Jennifer has experienced a world, career and life that she never thought would be in her reach. Hear how a summer school for low-income backgrounds changed Jennifer’s perspective on what she could achieve.
Mitch
Born in Nigeria, Mitch believes nothing is impossible. Now a partner at A&O Shearman and mum of three, she has surrounded herself with the right people and has had support from her family every step of the way.
