A&O First 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

4.6/5
  • About You
    4.5
  • The Company
    4.7
  • Everything Else
    4.8

    About You

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
  • I went for A&O First, a 2-day insight programme at the firm that buddies you up with a mentor to help you develop throughout the year, at the end of which I'll interview for a TC. The programme was packed and thoroughly enjoyable - the commercial awareness sessions, workshops, and networking events were all engaging.

    5/5

  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued during your time at the company or firm?
  • It was a short programme but it's clear that a huge amount of effort went into its planning and execution - I was put in a hotel since I'm not based in London, and lots of fee-earners (including partners) made time to come talk to us.

    5/5

  • 3. How much guidance/support did you receive during the insight?
  • The highlight for me is the mentorship programme. A&O buddies you up with someone you can relate to (for me, my buddy and I went to the same uni) and we got along really really well. My buddy has been immensely helpful and supportive, and we catch up when I'm in London.

    5/5

  • 4. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and information you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
  • It's not useful to my degree, but that's more a function of Oxford law being quite irrelevant to solicitor work for the most part. The commercial awareness and networking skills I picked up definitely came in handy - a valuable advantage for TC applications.

    4/5

    The Company

  • 5. How well structured was the insight?
  • It was only 2 days long, but it was quite packed full of events in those 2 days. Each day felt fulfilling but not overly long, and adequate breaks between events kept us refreshed.

    4/5

  • 6. How was the general atmosphere during your insight?
  • Almost everyone I met was immensely keen. HR was completely supportive, fee earners we met were enthusiastic, and all the attendees were no doubt happy to be there. I really enjoyed meeting our counterparts from Brussels, who travelled to London to attend the scheme with us and were very fun to be around.

    5/5

  • 7. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
  • The fact that a law firm is investing so much in someone that'd potentially work for them only 3 years later is astounding to me, but definitely in a good way. No doubt a lot of content that was covered was only introductory, but the impression I get is that of a keen commitment to training the best possible solicitors.

    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?
  • There's no better way to gain an insight into work than to actually shadow solicitors in the course of their work, which was a significant portion of the programme. I sat through several hours of a live deal, which was quite insightful.

    5/5

  • 9. How much did the insight help you in understanding the company culture?
  • I've interacted with dozens of staff at A&O at all different levels of seniority, which is as good a picture as I can get without actually working there.

    5/5

  • 10. How valuable was the content in helping you to decide on your future career path?
  • I've always been quite keen on being a solicitor, but the insight made me quite sure about my choice of firm too.

    5/5

    Everything Else

  • 11. Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
  • I wasn't paid, which is only fair since I didn't actually do any work. All meals and transport was covered, as well as accommodation for one night. It was a pretty nice hotel too.


  • 12. Were there opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the company or firm?
  • Networking opportunities were incorporated into the programme. Aside from dedicated sessions, each activity left time for questions and networking, so I ended up meeting people from various practice areas and at various different stages of their career.

    5/5

  • 13. How were the networking/ social event opportunities?
  • Pretty good. There was a nice social at a place at Shoreditch which was pretty fun (a bar with ping pong) so that was great to chill at.

    5/5

  • 14. Did you find out about activities that employees can get involved in outside of work?
  • I don't think this is something people tell you unless you ask, but I did ask and some people had some interesting hobbies.

    4/5

  • 15. Would you recommend this insight to a friend?
  • When I started uni I was surprised to learn that there were even programmes for first-years, but I was absolutely floored by the amount of effort put into it. Top-drawer stuff.

    5/5

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Details

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

London

September 2019


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