Ashurst
A global law firm known for energy, infrastructure, and finance
About Ashurst
Ashurst is a British multinational law firm headquartered in London, with 30 offices in 18 countries across Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Its principal business focus is mergers and acquisitions, corporate and structured finance, with additional practices in investment funds, antitrust, energy, transport and infrastructure, intellectual property, dispute resolution, and financial services.
In the financial year ended April 2025, Ashurst surpassed £1 billion in revenue for the first time in its history, marking nine consecutive years of growth at an average of 8% per year. The firm is known in particular for its strength in energy and infrastructure — sectors where it advises on some of the largest and most complex projects globally across the energy transition, from offshore wind to oil and gas to infrastructure financing.
In November 2025, Ashurst and Washington-based Perkins Coie announced their intention to combine into Ashurst Perkins Coie, a top-20 global law firm with approximately 3,000 lawyers and a combined focus on tech, energy and infrastructure, and financial services. The merger is expected to close in late 2026. For students considering a training contract, this is a significant development as the combined firm will have substantially greater US market presence and a significantly expanded technology practice
Ashurst recruits around 40 trainees each year. The training contract consists of four six-month seat rotations. Trainees are required to complete a seat in finance and at least one transactional seat. International secondments are available in offices including Singapore, Tokyo, Dubai, Paris, and Brussels. The firm uses University of Law (ULaw) as its SQE preparation provider and funds all SQE and PGDL fees for future trainee
Practice areas & rankings
Awards
Most Innovative Law Firm in Asia-Pacific (Headquartered outside Asia-Pacific)Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Awards 2024
Ashurst was named “Most Innovative Law Firm in Asia-Pacific (Headquartered outside Asia-Pacific)” at the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Awards 2024, recognising its commitment to legal innovation across the region.
Innovation in Improving Client ExperienceFT Innovative Lawyers Awards
The firm also received the “Innovation in Improving Client Experience” award at the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards Europe 2024 for tools such as Ashurst Origin and XB Adviser, which support clients in navigating complex regulatory matters.
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
The Ashurst application focuses on academic history, work experience, and motivation for a career in commercial law. Ashurst explicitly considers mitigating circumstances and contextual data in its applications. Each section has a word limit and responses should be clear, concise, and specific. The work experience section is particularly important: every entry should explain what was learned and how it demonstrates skills relevant to legal practice. Part-time work, volunteering, and extracurricular involvement all count.The motivation section requires a genuine answer about why Ashurst specifically (such as the firm's energy and infrastructure practice, its Asia-Pacific strength, its Ashurst Advance legal technology division). Generic answers about "international work" will not stand out.
How to answer why youAshurst: quick answers
How much does Ashurst pay trainees?
Ashurst pays first-year trainees £57,000, rising to £62,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Ashurst earn £140,000.
When is the Ashurst vacation scheme deadline?
Ashurst's vacation scheme applications close on 11 Dec for the 2026/27 cycle. Deadlines can change and popular schemes may close early, so check the live application deadlines tracker.
How many trainees does Ashurst take on?
Ashurst takes on around 40 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What tests does Ashurst use in its applications?
Ashurst's online assessment includes three components: Cognify, Emotify, and Values Fit. Cognify uses game-based tasks to assess problem-solving and analytical thinking. Emotify tests emotional intelligence through tasks involving facial expressions and emotional scenarios. Values Fit checks alignment with the firm's core values. The assessment is untimed and designed to give a realistic preview into life at Ashurst and the types of scenarios a trainee might experience. It takes around 60 minutes to complete and candidates receive an individual feedback report outlining their key strengths and development areas.Ashurst provides a dedicated Preparation Hub on its website where candidates can learn about the types of questions they may be asked before sitting the assessment.
What grades do you need to apply to Ashurst?
To apply to Ashurst you will generally need a 2:1 degree. Requirements can flex where there are mitigating circumstances, so always check the firm's own criteria if your grades differ.
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