First Year Programme
Our First Year Programme
Our First Year Programme
Exceptional begins here
If you think a career in commercial law could be for you and are keen to find out more, there’s no better place to learn about the legal world than our First Year programme, in our transformational global firm.
Our First Year programme is more than just work experience. It’s a programme with various touch points across the year and gives you access to a global support network designed to give you all the information, contacts and experience you need to decide whether a legal career at A&O Shearman is right for you.
The programme is packed full of insights, experiences and exposure to the work we do through work-shadowing and networking. During the scheme, we will help you boost the skills we look for in future trainees, such as technology and commercial awareness. You will see first-hand what it’s like to be part of our supportive community and get a sense of what we could help you achieve when you join us.
As part of the scheme you will have:
- Advice and guidance from our graduate recruitment team
- A two-day insight scheme in April and an assessment centre masterclass in September where we will immerse you in the firm and all our offerings
- Ongoing support from a trainee buddy
- Peer support – you will get to know students from other universities and degree disciplines also on the scheme
- The opportunity to be fast-tracked to assessment centre for either a Vacation Scheme or Training Contract
Eligibility
We’re able to welcome students in their first year of a three-year (or second year of a four-year) undergraduate degree from any degree discipline.
Application window
6 January 2025 - 10 February 2025
Maaya Sachdev
Current Associate
I wasn’t one of those people who always knew what they wanted to do. But when I started my Law degree and began to develop my legal skillset it became clear that a career in the legal profession was the right choice for me.
I like problem-solving and analytical thinking – and working in a team. These were the things I enjoyed when I was studying English at A-level and presenting arguments in my university’s mooting society. In fact, it’s these experiences that sparked my interest in a legal career. I’m looking forward to using these skills to help clients during my training contract. I can’t wait to apply everything I’ve learnt to real-life deals.
Looking back at university, I’m glad that I embraced a diverse range of opportunities not only because they enhanced my learning experience, but because they also helped me to develop a clearer understanding about the kind of work that would interest me. I knew that I wanted a career where I could make a real impact – I didn’t just want to pick something that would look good on my CV.
When I looked into commercial law and A&O Shearman specifically, I knew it was what I wanted to do. Working on complex deals in a fast-paced environment suited my skillset and taking on big cases for well-known clients matched my interests.
Click here to join our talented team and start your journey with us.
Maaya
Jonathan Cooper
Current Associate
When I was looking into potential careers, I knew I wanted something that was going to be fulfilling, enjoyable and promising for the future. It was a long process: I considered journalism, medicine and several other careers, but it was my time on the A&O Shearman Vacation Scheme that made me decide to apply for a Training Contract.
My experience on the Vacation Scheme was unconventional, but it was exactly what I needed to help me decide my career path. I sat within the Corporate team and at the time they were very busy with an urgent deal. Because of this, I ended up having four different supervisors over two weeks. This gave me the chance to get involved with different projects, meet people across a variety of areas and even spend time working alongside a Partner.
The best thing about it was getting a real sense of what it would be like to work here. I saw everything that goes into successful transactions, from researching legislation and drafting documents to proofreading contracts and handling administrative tasks. I knew about that before the Vacation Scheme, but seeing it first-hand helped me understand what it’s really like.
Choosing a career is about planning ahead. On the Vacation Scheme, I got to see how much A&O Shearman invest in the future, whether it’s developing software to optimize structured transactions, continuing their international expansion, or diversifying their workforce. Having spent a year working for Rare Recruitment who partner with A&O Shearman, I’ve seen how the firm is striving to recruit top talent from all backgrounds by making their hiring process more inclusive.
I’m confident in my decision to join A&O Shearman – it’s an exciting first step towards a fulfilling career.
Click here to join our talented team and start your journey with us.
Jonathan
What we look for
We’ll be looking for your drive and commitment to thrive in a legal career, alongside curiosity to find out more about the firm, our culture, the clients we work with and the sectors we operate in. If you’re prepared to tackle every challenge that comes your way, we’ll provide you with all the legal knowledge you need to excel.
Our academic requirements are AAB (136 UCAS points) or equivalent at A-Level and on track for/achieved a 2:1 undergraduate degree. We do take into account mitigating circumstances, including those relating to a disability, which may have affected your grades either at school or university and there is a space on the application form to include these.
Application Process
1. Online Application
The online application form is your first opportunity to show us what you’re capable of, so be sure to pay attention to detail and think about the examples you use and whether they demonstrate the skills and attributes we are looking for.
You will then be prompted to complete an immersive, video-based Situational Judgement Test (SJT) which includes verbal and numerical reasoning items. The test is untimed and should take around 30-40 minutes. The SJT is designed to provide a realistic preview of what you may experience as a trainee at A&O Shearman.
You can read our preparation tips to Situational Judgement Tests or take a practice test.
2. Video Interview
If your application is successful, the next stage will be a video interview, which should take no longer than 30 minutes and will include a brief commercial case study. Following this, we will be in touch to let you know if you’ve secured a place on the scheme.