Firm Profiles
A&O Shearman
A&O Shearman
A magic circle firm known for banking, finance, and cross-border M&A
A magic circle firm known for banking, finance, and cross-border M&A
Year 1 Trainee
£56,000
Year 2 Trainee
£61,000
Newly Qualified
£150,000
About the firm
About the firm
TC Number
80
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
48
A&O Shearman is a global law firm formed from the 2024 merger of Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling. With around 4,000 lawyers in 48 offices worldwide, it offers top-tier expertise in cross-border finance, M&A, disputes, and regulatory work. The firm is known for its combined strength in English and U.S. law, serving leading international clients across key sectors.
The firm offers approximately 80 training contracts each year, with trainees undertaking four six-month seats across a broad range of practice areas. There are strong opportunities for international secondments, currently available in up to 13 of the firm’s 48 global offices, including locations such as Dubai, New York, and Singapore. Trainees may also have the chance to go on client secondments, offering a valuable opportunity to develop commercial awareness, deepen client relationships, and gain insight into the legal function from the client’s perspective.
Practice areas and rankings
Practice areas and rankings
Rankings in Chambers
58
Category
Magic Circle
A&O Shearman was named ‘Most Innovative Law Firm in Europe’ at the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards 2024, in recognition of its pioneering work in generative AI, including the firm-wide rollout of Harvey and the development of ContractMatrix in collaboration with Microsoft. The firm was also recognised as ‘Overall Firm of the Year’ at the Lexology Index Awards 2024, and received a ‘Highly Commended’ mention for its marketing initiatives at the Legal Business Awards 2024 — reflecting its commitment to excellence across both innovation and client engagement.
Top practice areas:
Banking and finance
The firm's heritage and dominant practice. A&O Shearman advises the world's largest banks, private equity sponsors, and corporate borrowers on leveraged finance, acquisition finance, project finance, and restructuring. Consistently ranked Band 1 by Chambers UK.
Capital markets
A leading practice in international debt and equity capital markets, acting for issuers and underwriters on cross-border transactions across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Corporate and M&A
Advises on major domestic and cross-border M&A transactions with particular strength in financial institutions M&A and deals involving both US and English law.
Disputes
A top-tier international arbitration and commercial litigation practice handling high-value disputes for governments, state entities, and major corporations across multiple jurisdictions.
Energy and natural resources
One of the leading practices globally for energy and infrastructure transactions, particularly in emerging markets across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
The application process
Written application
The A&O Shearman application focuses on work and education history rather than open-ended motivation questions. There is no word limit on the work experience section, which means candidates should use the space fully to tell a compelling and specific story about every experience they have had, whether society leadership, part-time work, legal work experience, or volunteering. Each entry should explain clearly what was learned and how it demonstrates transferable skills relevant to legal practice. Demonstrating proactivity matters. Attending firm events, completing legal work experience, and engaging with virtual insight days should all be included where relevant. The application is reviewed holistically, so the overall picture of engagement and motivation is as important as any individual entry.
Psychometric Testing
The online assessment includes situational judgment questions, verbal and numerical reasoning tasks, and two short motivation questions answered by video. It is untimed and takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes to complete. The video responses are limited to two minutes each. The assessment is designed to give candidates a realistic preview of the trainee experience at A&O Shearman, and also allows the firm to gain insight into a candidate's motivations.
Interview Stage
Apart from the two motivational questions answered by video as described above, there is no standalone interview prior to the assessment day. Candidates who pass the online assessment are invited directly to the assessment centre.
Assessment Centre
The assessment day consists of two one-to-one interviews and a written exercise. The first interview is a case study with a partner where candidates are given preparation time to review a commercial brief and prepare a short presentation, which is then delivered to the interviewer and followed by a discussion of the key points raised. This tests commercial reasoning, analytical thinking, and the ability to communicate a clear recommendation under pressure.
The second interview focuses on situational questions based on scenarios a trainee solicitor might encounter day-to-day. Each interview lasts approximately one hour with dedicated preparation time provided beforehand. A written exercise follows the interviews.
The application process
Written application
The A&O Shearman application focuses on work and education history rather than open-ended motivation questions. There is no word limit on the work experience section, which means candidates should use the space fully to tell a compelling and specific story about every experience they have had, whether society leadership, part-time work, legal work experience, or volunteering. Each entry should explain clearly what was learned and how it demonstrates transferable skills relevant to legal practice. Demonstrating proactivity matters. Attending firm events, completing legal work experience, and engaging with virtual insight days should all be included where relevant. The application is reviewed holistically, so the overall picture of engagement and motivation is as important as any individual entry.
Psychometric Testing
The online assessment includes situational judgment questions, verbal and numerical reasoning tasks, and two short motivation questions answered by video. It is untimed and takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes to complete. The video responses are limited to two minutes each. The assessment is designed to give candidates a realistic preview of the trainee experience at A&O Shearman, and also allows the firm to gain insight into a candidate's motivations.
Interview Stage
Apart from the two motivational questions answered by video as described above, there is no standalone interview prior to the assessment day. Candidates who pass the online assessment are invited directly to the assessment centre.
Assessment Centre
The assessment day consists of two one-to-one interviews and a written exercise. The first interview is a case study with a partner where candidates are given preparation time to review a commercial brief and prepare a short presentation, which is then delivered to the interviewer and followed by a discussion of the key points raised. This tests commercial reasoning, analytical thinking, and the ability to communicate a clear recommendation under pressure.
The second interview focuses on situational questions based on scenarios a trainee solicitor might encounter day-to-day. Each interview lasts approximately one hour with dedicated preparation time provided beforehand. A written exercise follows the interviews.
Firm history
Firm History
1930 → George Allen & Thomas Overy start their firm. Left their old firm as top billers but weren’t rewarded.
1936 → Firm gains recognition advising King Edward VIII during the abdication crisis.
1963 → Diversifies as both a commercial and financial firm, advising on the first Eurobond.
2000 → Allen & Overy merges with Loeff Claeys Verbeke.
2004 → Converts to a limited liability partnership.
2008 → A&O breaks the £1 billion turnover mark.
2010 → First major firm to let equity partners work part-time.
2010 → Expands to Australia, opening new offices in Perth and Sydney.
2011 → First global law firm to open an office in Casablanca, Morocco.
2014 → Opens Johannesburg office, the first Magic Circle firm in sub-Saharan Africa.
2018 → Planned merger with O’Melveny & Myers falls through.
2019 → Surpasses $1 trillion in terms of deal value.
2021 → Wins International Law Firm of the Year.
2022 → First in the world to use generative AI at enterprise level with Harvey.
2024 → Surpasses £1 billion in profit.
2024 → Merges with Shearman & Sterling to form A&O Shearman, one of the world’s largest law firms.
(please note these are highlights and the firm's history is far more complex)
Ready to Apply?
Ready to apply?
The Future Trainee Academy covers the full application, including written applications, online assessments, interviews, and assessment centres.
For situational judgment and reasoning practice, the Watson Glaser Practice Hub gives you unlimited free timed tests with worked explanations.
Firm Profiles
A&O Shearman
A magic circle firm known for banking, finance, and cross-border M&A
Year 1
Trainee
£56,000
Year 2
Trainee
£61,000
Newly
Qualified
£150,000
Practice areas and rankings
Rankings in Chambers
58
Category
Magic Circle
A&O Shearman was named ‘Most Innovative Law Firm in Europe’ at the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards 2024, in recognition of its pioneering work in generative AI, including the firm-wide rollout of Harvey and the development of ContractMatrix in collaboration with Microsoft. The firm was also recognised as ‘Overall Firm of the Year’ at the Lexology Index Awards 2024, and received a ‘Highly Commended’ mention for its marketing initiatives at the Legal Business Awards 2024 — reflecting its commitment to excellence across both innovation and client engagement.
Top practice areas:
Banking and finance
The firm's heritage and dominant practice. A&O Shearman advises the world's largest banks, private equity sponsors, and corporate borrowers on leveraged finance, acquisition finance, project finance, and restructuring. Consistently ranked Band 1 by Chambers UK.
Capital markets
A leading practice in international debt and equity capital markets, acting for issuers and underwriters on cross-border transactions across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Corporate and M&A
Advises on major domestic and cross-border M&A transactions with particular strength in financial institutions M&A and deals involving both US and English law.
Disputes
A top-tier international arbitration and commercial litigation practice handling high-value disputes for governments, state entities, and major corporations across multiple jurisdictions.
Energy and natural resources
One of the leading practices globally for energy and infrastructure transactions, particularly in emerging markets across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
About the firm
TC Number
80
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
48
A&O Shearman is a global law firm formed from the 2024 merger of Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling. With around 4,000 lawyers in 48 offices worldwide, it offers top-tier expertise in cross-border finance, M&A, disputes, and regulatory work. The firm is known for its combined strength in English and U.S. law, serving leading international clients across key sectors.
The firm offers approximately 80 training contracts each year, with trainees undertaking four six-month seats across a broad range of practice areas. There are strong opportunities for international secondments, currently available in up to 13 of the firm’s 48 global offices, including locations such as Dubai, New York, and Singapore. Trainees may also have the chance to go on client secondments, offering a valuable opportunity to develop commercial awareness, deepen client relationships, and gain insight into the legal function from the client’s perspective.
The application process
Vacation Scheme Deadline
TBC
AAB
A-Levels Reqs.
Degree Reqs.
2:1
Written application
The A&O Shearman application focuses on work and education history rather than open-ended motivation questions. There is no word limit on the work experience section, which means candidates should use the space fully to tell a compelling and specific story about every experience they have had, whether society leadership, part-time work, legal work experience, or volunteering. Each entry should explain clearly what was learned and how it demonstrates transferable skills relevant to legal practice. Demonstrating proactivity matters. Attending firm events, completing legal work experience, and engaging with virtual insight days should all be included where relevant. The application is reviewed holistically, so the overall picture of engagement and motivation is as important as any individual entry.
Psychometric Testing
The online assessment includes situational judgment questions, verbal and numerical reasoning tasks, and two short motivation questions answered by video. It is untimed and takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes to complete. The video responses are limited to two minutes each. The assessment is designed to give candidates a realistic preview of the trainee experience at A&O Shearman, and also allows the firm to gain insight into a candidate's motivations.
Interview Stage
Apart from the two motivational questions answered by video as described above, there is no standalone interview prior to the assessment day. Candidates who pass the online assessment are invited directly to the assessment centre.
Assessment Centre
The assessment day consists of two one-to-one interviews and a written exercise. The first interview is a case study with a partner where candidates are given preparation time to review a commercial brief and prepare a short presentation, which is then delivered to the interviewer and followed by a discussion of the key points raised. This tests commercial reasoning, analytical thinking, and the ability to communicate a clear recommendation under pressure.
The second interview focuses on situational questions based on scenarios a trainee solicitor might encounter day-to-day. Each interview lasts approximately one hour with dedicated preparation time provided beforehand. A written exercise follows the interviews.
Firm History
1930 → George Allen & Thomas Overy start their firm. Left their old firm as top billers but weren’t rewarded.
1936 → Firm gains recognition advising King Edward VIII during the abdication crisis.
1963 → Diversifies as both a commercial and financial firm, advising on the first Eurobond.
2000 → Allen & Overy merges with Loeff Claeys Verbeke.
2004 → Converts to a limited liability partnership.
2008 → A&O breaks the £1 billion turnover mark.
2010 → First major firm to let equity partners work part-time.
2010 → Expands to Australia, opening new offices in Perth and Sydney.
2011 → First global law firm to open an office in Casablanca, Morocco.
2014 → Opens Johannesburg office, the first Magic Circle firm in sub-Saharan Africa.
2018 → Planned merger with O’Melveny & Myers falls through.
2019 → Surpasses $1 trillion in terms of deal value.
2021 → Wins International Law Firm of the Year.
2022 → First in the world to use generative AI at enterprise level with Harvey.
2024 → Surpasses £1 billion in profit.
2024 → Merges with Shearman & Sterling to form A&O Shearman, one of the world’s largest law firms.
(please note these are highlights and the firm's history is far more complex)
Ready to apply?
The Future Trainee Academy covers the full application, including written applications, online assessments, interviews, and assessment centres.
For situational judgment and reasoning practice, the Watson Glaser Practice Hub gives you unlimited free timed tests with worked explanations.