Summer Associate
US Summer Associate Program – London
If you’re interested in all US aspects of international capital markets transactions and are looking to get your career in law started, this 10-week program based in our London office is for you.
US Summer Associate Program – London
Exceed your own expectations.
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 working with a team that's been consistently ranked Tier 1 across debt, equity and high yield transactions. 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.
What you’ll gain
If you’re looking to get your career in US law started, our summer program based in London gives you the perfect prospect to join the A&O Shearman team in a full-time, entry-level role in 2026.
Work experience
As a Summer Associate, 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.
Across the 10-week program, 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 team and see more of the exciting city of London.
Growth and development
We offer exceptional professional and personal development – providing training, mentoring and practical support. Throughout the summer program, and throughout your career if you continue at A&O Shearman, you’ll have mentors and other dedicated points of contact to ensure that you receive the best pastoral care possible. With us, you will constantly be learning and growing.
Academic Qualifications
We’re able to welcome 1L and 2L law students studying at US universities
Personal Skills
Organisation, Collaboration, Resilience, Curiosity, Drive
Helpful Resources
Applications Dos and Don’ts
Setting yourself up for success
Situational Judgement Test: What is it and how to prepare for it
Your pathway to success
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
Skills to succeed
Below are the essential skills needed to thrive on this program. From making meaningful contributions to our team and clients, to facing legal challenges, these skills will help you excel with us.
Organisation
Your ability to keep on top of your work and focus on the details helps you keep projects on track and succeeding.
Collaboration
You enjoy working in a team to complete a task or achieve a shared goal.
Resilience
The ability to respond to pressure and overcome challenges in a constructive manner.
Curiosity
You want to find out more about the firm, our culture, the clients we work with and the sectors we operate in.
Drive
You’re prepared to tackle every challenge and overcome obstacles to achieve your goals.
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 in summer 2026. We will opening applications in early 2025.
There are a number of websites purporting to provide free samples of A&O Shearman application forms and assessment questions, including our Situational Judgement Test. A&O Shearman takes cases of plagiarism and copyright extremely seriously. We strongly caution applicants against using, or paying for, unofficial sources claiming to provide information on the A&O Shearman application process. We encourage every potential candidate to review our website for details of our application process and a sample SJT.
If you have any further questions on the A&O Shearman application process, or if you wish to discuss or report such a website, please contact us at earlycareersuk@aoshearman.com. Please note, all applications will close at 5pm on the closing date.
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.
Culture
Working here
We’re a firm investing in our people to excel in their legal careers while building a culture that harnesses our differences. Where you’re valued for who you are, as much as you’re valued for what you do.
We recruit the best and ask for the best of you, but that doesn’t come without support, mentorship, rewards and opportunities you couldn't find anywhere else.
If you’re looking for a first-class legal career, join us. And together we can excel.
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