Summer Vacation Scheme Review

The vacation scheme is designed to give you a feel of what it would be like to work at A&O Shearman as a prospective trainee. The days vary, with talks scheduled from different practice areas throughout the week, networking events happening across the firm in real-time and specially organised socials for you to interact with the firm and others on the vacation scheme. We have a lot of 'free' trainer time allocated, allowing participants to work on tasks set by their supervisor or even other trainees in the department. You are encouraged to take the initiative and speak to people across the firm within this time besides your trainee buddy (and REACH buddy, if applicable). There is also a group project to deliver at the end of the two weeks, which you can work on throughout the scheme.

Participating in the scheme significantly enhanced my confidence in written and oral communication. I actively engaged with the firm's people through coffee chats and supervised tasks, which helped me refine my ability to tailor communication to different audiences. The diverse range of tasks assigned to me—including pro-bono work, traditional trainee responsibilities, and research projects for both internal and client audiences—furthered my skills in adapting my communication style. Moreover, I honed my organisational abilities in various ways. This included maintaining a comprehensive feedback tracker for all assigned tasks, managing a calendar to oversee optional events and scheduled meetings, and ensuring the smooth progress of our team's group project.

The talks from all the different practice areas were invaluable, especially since they spoke of the different skills needed in transactional, advisory or contentious areas. Thus, whilst there was not enough time to cover every potential area/expertise within the broader practice area, it was helpful to get an idea of where you could sit in the future, especially since you are encouraged to then reach out to those in practice areas you are interested in. Regarding business perspectives, UK Managing Partner [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyPlacement Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] presentation was a standout. Her candid discussion covered the firm's current trajectory, future plans, and impactful Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) initiatives. Additionally, the presentation by FUSE was brilliant, offering a clear understanding of their business model and its integration into the firm's overarching strategy.

The firm's culture is exceptional. The REACH buddy scheme and the lunch event enriched my overall experience and fostered a strong sense of belonging. The warm reception from everyone, their introductions, and invitations to practice area-specific networking events were very welcoming. Another standout was the trainees in my seat, who generously took us out for coffee and introduced us to everyone in the practice area.

I had a fantastic experience during the vacation scheme. The firm made every effort to ensure that we seamlessly integrated into their environment over the two weeks. They also encouraged us to engage in activities that resonated with our interests. For instance, I particularly appreciated the opportunity to volunteer within the firm for an event involving local schools, as social mobility is something I deeply value. The socials that were organised were also very fun!

Yes

As someone from a socially mobile background, the best advice I have been given is to 'fake it until you make it' - be confident in your abilities! Have a thoughtful answer for "Why A&O Shearman" prepared, including your personal experiences and alignment with the firm with your personal brand. The firm also makes its Assessment Framework publically available [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyPlacement Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions], so draw on these skills and link them to your answers (if applicable!). Think of where you have applied these skills (past jobs/experiences or positions of responsibility). When on the vacation scheme, be as proactive as possible and enjoy the scheme! There is plenty of opportunity to get involved with things that interest you. What is also really helpful is to think before the vacation scheme about what you want out of it, which is a good guiding light to help you structure your experience on the scheme. Also, show people your personality!