What we do

As part of our global Corporate practice, you’ll advise some of the world’s most successful companies, commercial and investment banks and private equity firms, on all aspects of commercial law and corporate finance. You can tackle everything from public takeovers and private M&A to joint ventures and corporate restructurings – as well as day-to-day regulatory matters. Complex, high-profile, interesting; only the best at A&O Shearman.

Compensation, Employment & Governance: Our team delivers sophisticated cross-border and local advice to public and private employers, boards, pension scheme institutions and retirement asset fiduciaries (including government plans), investors, executives and management teams.  

Environmental & Sanctions: Our market-leading environment and climate change practice advises on environmental and sustainability issues impacting businesses across all sectors and jurisdictions.

IP, Tech Trans, Licensing & Data Privacy: We are renowned as a world leader in data issues related to the use of generative artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies.  Our global data protection team advises leading corporations and financial institutions on their compliance with data privacy laws across the world.

M&A: Our M&A lawyers work seamlessly with our antitrust, regulatory, foreign direct investment, capital markets, finance, tax, and disputes teams to handle the biggest and most complex deals in the market.  

Tax: Our Tax team works alongside colleagues in all jurisdictions to provide cutting-edge advice and strategies, implemented by some of the world’s largest companies and institutions. 

US, Capital Markets & Global ECM: We advise companies and underwriters on equity capital markets (ECM) offerings in a variety of industries across global financial markets. We’re a leader across the full range of capital markets product lines and we’ve played a key role in almost every major development in our field.

Having the opportunity to advise on complex, high-profile transactions like the Virgin Media/O2 merger is one of the main reasons I became a corporate lawyer and why I chose to join A&O Shearman. The collaboration between various teams within A&O Shearman, the client and the other side was really impressive to observe and a privilege to be a part of.

A&O Shearman’s finance team is renowned as one of the strongest and deepest in the world, with top-tier lawyers located in all the major markets. As part of the Finance practice group, you will have the opportunity to advise on leveraged finance, syndicated loans, asset finance, project finance and trade and export credit finance. Our team comprises top-tier practitioners with extensive experience across the spectrum of complex financial transactions.

Asset Finance: We are a recognised leader in asset finance and are renowned for handling the most complex domestic and cross-border transactions. Our practice encompasses the aviation, shipping and container, rail, space, equipment, IT and satellite industries.

Debt Finance: Our global team helps the world’s leading financial institutions and corporations structure and document their most complex, strategic loan transactions.  

Financial Services Regulatory: Our international team advises banks, broker-dealers, asset managers, investment funds, fintechs, insurers and reinsurers, exchanges, SEFs/MTFs, clearing and settlement providers, payment platforms, governments, regulators and corporates in a wholesale and retail context.

Funds: Within this area, we have a full-service, multi-disciplinary, cross-border team of funds and asset management lawyers who advise both managers and institutional investors across all asset classes located in all the major financial centers.

International DCM, Derivatives and Securitisation: We develop innovative solutions to our clients’ most complex challenges and play a leading role in the development and implementation of the myriad regulations affecting the structured finance, securitisation, and CLO markets.  

MIG: MIG is a dynamic, cross-practice and multijurisdictional ensemble of lawyers, developers, and technologists. We combine cutting-edge technology, deep subject-matter expertise, operational effectiveness, and collaboration, to address the legal and regulatory challenges our clients are facing.

Real Estate: Our global real estate team comprises a deep bench of lawyers who are individually and collectively recognised as leaders in the field. We provide clients with end-to-end advice on real estate investments and financing.

Restructuring & Bankruptcy: Our global restructuring, insolvency and capital solutions group handles some of the most complex domestic and cross-border matters of recent years.   

Everyone at A&O Shearman takes real pride in doing their job well. It creates an inspiring atmosphere.

As one of the world's leading disputes practices, A&O Shearman has vast experience litigating, arbitrating and resolving corporate and commercial disputes across multiple jurisdictions. We handle high-stakes, complex cases for some of the world’s most recognisable companies, giving you the perfect platform to learn and develop at the highest levels. 

Antitrust: Our global antitrust team is a powerhouse that advises corporates, private equity and financial institutions on their most significant transactions, investigations, and litigation. 

Employment Litigation: Our employment litigation team have a track record of securing successful outcomes for our clients across various jurisdictions and industries from big tech to financial services and pharmaceuticals.  

IP Litigation: We represent the world’s leading businesses, helping them to invest in and protect their critical intellectual property as well as defending them when plaintiffs allege that they have violated intellectual property rights.

International Arbitration: Our international arbitration team has decades of experience advising and representing clients in complex cross-border commercial arbitrations and investor-state disputes under the rules of all the leading institutions.

Litigation & Investigations: With a reputation for strategic insight, our expert teams provide counsel and  support clients through the full spectrum of litigation and investigation challenges.

I really enjoy the fight of litigation: strategy, tactics, intensity and especially the highs/lows of winning and losing.‎ There's no feeling quite like it.

A&O Shearman’s Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure (ENRI) team is a leader in tackling complex energy and infrastructure challenges worldwide. From renewable energy to major digital infrastructure, the team brings innovative solutions to projects that drive global progress and sustainability. Backed by a global network and deep industry expertise, joining the ENRI group will put you at the heart of the market to support clients in navigating energy transitions, digital connectivity, and beyond.

To once again be at the top of all the major league tables across so many sectors and regions is testament to the strength and depth of the A&O Shearman's ENRI team. This is a remarkable achievement that the entire team should be very proud of, particularly given the highly challenging environment in which we have all been operating.