Trainee Solicitor Review

by A&O Shearman

Best Student Employer

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

4.8/5
  • About You
    4.6
  • The Company
    4.8
  • Everything Else
    5.0

    About You

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
  • Allen and Overy was a great firm to have a vacation scheme at. Everyone at the firm was really welcoming and all the workshops were aimed at giving us extra skills which meant that even if you didn’t receive a job offer, you would be a better candidate for future roles.

    5/5

  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued during your time at the company or firm?
  • HR were incredibly welcoming and on the first day had all of our names memorised. Within the team I sat in I also felt very valued however, this may differ across departments. Although I was unable to help with all the work, as some was confidential, my trainer explained in detail what she did on a daily basis which gave me a good insight into the role.

    5/5

  • 3. How much guidance/support did you receive during the insight?
  • Graduate Recruitment were always available via email to answer any questions I had. Furthermore, my trainee buddy, who I had been paired with on my assessment center and who had attended the same University as me, met with me most days to catch up. My Trainer, who was an associate, also took me out for lunch on the last day and we had a meeting to talk about how I had performed.

    5/5

  • 4. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and information you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
  • We completed a coding workshop which, although irrelevant to my degree, was an interesting experience and could come in useful for the future. We also completed a business game which was interesting as it forced me to think about the ways in which a law firm such as Allen & Overy wins a client.

    4/5

    The Company

  • 5. How well structured was the insight?
  • Although only a week long, the insight had a very good mix of desk time, workshops and social events. Although the jam packed week did mean I didn’t get time to get stuck in to any projects, I did get an over view of the work which takes place in the department I was in.

    5/5

  • 6. How was the general atmosphere during your insight?
  • The Graduate Recruitment Team worked hard to get the group of students to mix and make friends. This helped to create a good atmosphere amongst the students which meant working in teams to accomplish group tasks was more enjoyable. Furthermore, having a Trainer who took us around the department introducing us meant that other employees knew who we were and could approach us with work.

    5/5

  • 7. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
  • Various workshops were run by internal and external people. We also attended a couple of social events at which trainees, associates and partners were present at. Furthermore, the associate we were each sat with invested a lot of time in each of us explaining work, setting us work, explaining what they do and inviting us to join various meetings and talks.

    5/5

  • 8. To what extent did the insight help you to understand what it would be like to have a full time role with the company or firm?
  • Although we weren’t given as much work, or any work near the standard at which we would have to do if we worked at the firm, it was a good insight into seeing what it would be like to work in such a large firm with so many connections and networks.

    4/5

  • 9. How much did the insight help you in understanding the company culture?
  • During the vacation scheme we were given a talk from the new global charity partner of Allen & Overy which is Hope for Homes. This enabled us to see the important work that A&O supports and gave us an insight into the culture of the firm as committed to social responsibility.

    5/5

  • 10. How valuable was the content in helping you to decide on your future career path?
  • Seeing the intellectually stimulating work that the lawyers get to do, along with how they are able to work in teams learning from those around them was very helpful in reaffirming that this is the right career for me. The global network of the firm was also made clear to me that not only was law the right career, but that A&O was the right firm.

    5/5

    Everything Else

  • 11. Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?

  • 12. Were there opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the company or firm?
  • There were various events held to ensure that we met many other people from around the firm. We met people from every level including a few partners at the dinner we attended at a Michelin star restaurant in London. The buddy system also really helped us to get to know a trainee at the firm and to learn from their experiences.

    5/5

  • 13. How were the networking/ social event opportunities?
  • 5/5

  • 14. Did you find out about activities that employees can get involved in outside of work?
  • 5/5

  • 15. Would you recommend this insight to a friend?
  • 5/5

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Details

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

London

January 2019


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