Allen & Overy

Do you offer vacation placements in your international offices?

As part of our Spring and Summer Vacation programmes in 2009, our new international internships will offer 12 vacation students the opportunity to work in one of four of our international offices for one week.  The selected students will visit the international office immediately after completing their three week London programme, or, for Spring students, during the summer.  Individuals interested in the International internships can only apply if they accept a place on one of the London placements.  Our Winter programme is based in London.  In each of our placement programmes, you will develop strong relationships with colleagues and get stuck into meaningful work, most of which will be international in flavour enabling you to experience life in a global firm.

If I don't do a vacation placement with you, can I still apply for a training contract?

Yes. Competition for our vacation programmes is very fierce but we have many more training contracts than can be filled by our vacation students. If you have made an application for a vacation placement but were not invited for interview then you can still apply but you should make sure that you show evidence of your continued commitment and development since your last application. If you have been interviewed for our Winter vacation programme and were unsuccessful at this stage, you will have to wait a further 12 months before reapplying - this is because the selection process for this vacation programme and the non-law training contract positions is exactly the same. If you have been unsuccessful at interview for our Spring or Summer Vacation programmes, you can apply for a training contract in the summer before your final year but we will be looking to see how your skills, knowledge and experience may have improved since your previous application. 

How am I assessed during my vacation scheme?

The vacation programmes are a great way for us to get to know each other and we do hope to recruit a large number of our vacation students as trainees. During your placement you will have two mini-appraisals with your trainer and these will give you a chance to discuss your strengths, areas for development and your career plans. You will also have the option to have a training contract interview at the end of your placement. These are the only formal assessments of you during the placement. However, whilst we want you to relax and enjoy yourself during your time with us, we expect you to behave in an appropriate and professional manner. Training contract offers are made on the basis of a successful performance during both your placement and in the final interview.

Can I do a vacation placement in my first year?

Our winter programme is aimed at non-law finalists and graduates, whilst our spring and summer programmes are for penultimate year undergraduates (or second years for individuals completing a four year degree, where the third year is spent abroad).  As a first year you can join us for an open day which will give you a great insight into the firm. This year we are offering 2 first year-specific Open Days in June and August 2008 - apply online.

How can I get a place on an A&O Open Day?

Space are limited on our Open Days, so you are required to submit a short application for the events.  Applications for the 2008/2009 events, which start in November 2008, open on 1st October 2009.

Which year groups can apply to attend Open Days?

Our Open Days are open to undergraduates and graduates of all year groups, and we usually have a mixed group of delegates on each event.  We do however, offer two First Year specific events during the summer where we focus on preparing to apply for Vacation Programmes and other topical subjects.

How do I find out about A&O events at my university?

Visit the 'In Your Area' section of the website to see what's coming up at your university.  During the Milkround you should visit our 'A&O News' page to keep up-to-date with what's happening on campus during October and November.

Do you mind where I study the GDL?

From December 2008, we will require all non-law candidates who have accepted a training contract prior to starting law school to study the GDL at the College of Law Birmingham, Chester, Guildford, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate, Manchester or York. If you have any extenuating circumstances which may affect where you can study the GDL we would discuss this with you. After studying the GDL and LPC at the College of Law, you will be awarded a LLB after passing both.

Why have you chosen to develop a bespoke LPC course for Allen & Overy?

The LPC is the bridge between being an academic lawyer and a practising lawyer and is designed to develop your practical legal skills and put theory into context.  Because of the dynamic and specialised nature of our work, we want to make sure that the LPC gives our trainees the most relevant start to their legal career.  We have worked closely with the College of Law to ensure that the LPC gives you the right focus on Allen & Overy's key practice areas.

Do you choose my LPC electives?

As the Allen & Overy LPC is tailored to the work we do, we have specified the electives that our trainees must take as these will provide the best foundation for your career with us.  These electives are acquisition, public companies and equity finance, and finance and capital markets.

If I don't do a vacation placement with you, can I still apply for a training contract?

Yes. Competition for our vacation programmes is very fierce but we have many more training contracts than can be filled by our vacation students. If you have made an application for a vacation placement but were not invited for interview then you can still apply but you should make sure that you show evidence of your continued commitment and development since your last application. If you have been interviewed for our Winter vacation programme and were unsuccessful at this stage, you will have to wait a further 12 months before reapplying - this is because the selection process for this vacation programme and the non-law training contract positions is exactly the same. If you have been unsuccessful at interview for our Spring or Summer Vacation programmes, you can apply for a training contract in the summer before your final year but we will be looking to see how your skills, knowledge and experience may have improved since your previous application. 

How many people are in each training contract intake?

We recruit 120 trainees a year and have two intakes of 60, one in September and one in March.  Sometimes candidates are worried that large intakes mean less responsibility or personal contact with clients; this is far from the case at Allen & Overy.  We recruit large numbers of trainees because our business demands this and our numbers have remained consistent over the past few years. Your training and development is extremely important to us. Every trainee is allocated an individual trainer with whom they share an office, and gain additional support from their peers, other lawyers and our dedicated 'HR for trainees' team, and our emphasis on teamwork means that you quickly develop your own friendships and networks.

 

Is it possible to start a training contract before or after the dates you are currently advertising?

Yes.  We are happy to defer your start date for six or 12 months.  Occasionally we have earlier start dates than those advertised.  You will have the opportunity to discuss your preferences at interview or when we make you an offer or contact our graduate recruitment team at graduate.recruitment@allenovery.com

Can I choose my seats during the training contract?

At the beginning of your training contract you will sit down with the HR Manager for trainees to map out your training contract.  You will discuss your areas of interest, nominate a priority seat and plan your movement through different areas of the practice.  You will catch up with the HR team regularly to discuss your progress.  Take a look at our training contract and practice areas for more ideas of where you can sit.

Can trainees do an international seat?

All trainees are able to apply for an international seat during their training contract and this is usually undertaken during your final six months.  The allocation of seats is based on performance to date, qualification plans and business need.

Can trainees undertake client secondments?

We have a number of client secondments available for trainees and these are with financial institutions, corporates and organisations such as Liberty and the Royal Courts of Justice.  As with international seats, trainees must apply for these and performance and career aspirations are taken into account

How many trainees stay with Allen & Overy on qualification?

We aim to retain all our trainees on qualification.  We recruit and train people that we believe will make a valuable contribution to our firm and invest a lot of time and money in them.  For the past few years our retention rate has been 90%

How do I apply for a Vacation Placement or Training Contract?

We only accept online applications.  You will therefore need to select 'Apply Now' from the home page of our graduate website.  Once you submit your application you should hear from us within a week.  If you require our application form in a different format, please contact the Graduate Recruitment team to discuss at graduate.recruitment@allenovery.com.

When will I know the outcome to my application?

You will receive immediate acknowledgement of receipt of your application form and should hear from us within a week of applying.  After interview we aim to give you a decision as soon as possible, again within 7-10 working days of meeting us. Track the progress of your application here.

Can I have feedback on my application?

Unfortunately due to the high volume of applications we receive we are unable to offer individual feedback on application forms.  If you have been unsuccessful then try showing your form to a careers adviser, tutor or friend – a fresh pair of eyes may be able to pick up something you've missed. Our selection criteria is also detailed on our website so you may find it helpful to take a look at it again.

How many applications do you receive and how many do you interview?

We receive around 4000 applications for training contracts and vacation schemes and interview around 10%-15% of those applicants.  Competition is therefore extremely high so take the time to read what we look for and hints and tips to make sure your application stands out.

What is the interview process?

You will have two interviews with us, both on the same day.  The first interview will explore your application in more detail.  We will look for evidence of teamwork, communication skills and planning and organising, as well as discussing your reasons for wanting to become a commercial solicitor.

You will then be given a business case study to review.  You will need to go through this document as if you were advising a client and should pick out the points most relevant to them.  After your preparation time you will have a second interview with a partner. 

For the first 10 minutes you will talk them through your findings from the case study, you will then discuss the points you raised.  After your interviews you will be given a tour of the office by a current trainee (this part of the day is not assessed) and feel free to ask any questions – we don't debrief our trainees.

I don't have the grades you're looking for - can I still apply?

We look for candidates with mainly As at GCSE (or equivalent), 340 UCAS points (AAB) at A-level (or equivalent) and a 2:1 (or equivalent).  If you have extenuating circumstances that have affected your grades please let us know as we do take these into account.  If you have missed our criteria by one or two grades then you can still apply, but the rest of your form will need to be very strong – see hints and tips for more details.

I don't have any legal work experience, will this count against me?

First-hand experience of working in a legal environment is the best way to understand the career you are applying for and to demonstrate your commitment, so we really do expect you to gain some relevant experience.  If you are applying for a vacation placement you may not have had a chance to do that yet so make sure you demonstrate transferable skills from other areas.  Open days and campus presentations are also a good way to find out more about the firms you're interested in. Allen & Overy run a number of events throughout the year -  find out when we are visiting your university next

I need a work permit - will that be a problem?

We look to recruit the best candidates for Allen & Overy.  If you require a work permit and get through our recruitment process successfully we will apply to the Home Office for a work permit for you.  Your application will need to be extremely strong to be selected for interview as the Home Office will only award work permits to excellent candidates.  We cannot guarantee that you will be granted a work permit and any offer of employment is conditional on the Home Office's decision.  We are more easily able to secure work permits for candidates who come from a country where A&O has an office.

Do you offer ad-hoc work experience?

Because of the high level of demand we are unable to accommodate requests for work experience outside our formal schemes.  Have a look at the details of our vacation placements or our open days to see which are most suitable for you.

How do I complete the application form if I did not study in the UK?

Input your grades into the application form as they were awarded to you at school.  Do not attempt to convert them into the UK equivalent.  Select 'Other' from the drop down list of Levels if your level is not listed and manually type the level into the 'Level Other' section.  Our team receive applications from all over the world and are familiar with many overseas qualifications and examination systems.

When can LLM students apply?

Students can apply between 1 October 2008 and 30 May 2009.  Partners from our international offices will be holding interviews at our Bishops Square office on 15 and 16 January 2009. Applications for these interview dates close on 28th November 2008. Students who apply after this date can be interviewed at a mutually convenient time.

How can LLM students apply?

Students submit their CV (including academic transcripts and any bar exam results) and a brief covering letter stating preferred location, department and availability online at www.llm.allenovery.com

I have a disability and require the application form in an alternative format, can you provide this?

Yes, A&O will provide the application form in alternative formats. Please contact us on 0203 088 0000 or graduate.recruitment@allenovery.com with details of the alternative format required. Please let us know as soon as you can about the format you require.

What should I do if I require reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process because of my disability?

A&O will work with you to ensure any reasonable adjustment requirements are implemented correctly. Please contact Caroline Lindner to discuss the adjustment(s) you require.

I have a disability, but I am not sure if or what adjustments I require. Are you able to advise me on this?

A&O will liaise with you to establish the most suitable adjustments required for the recruitment process and will ensure the adjustments are implemented as necessary. A&O has partnerships with external specialist disability organisations and so we can ask them for advice and guidance.

I am worried that if I disclose my disability this will be perceived negatively. I have had a bad experience in the past and feel it is ‘safer’ not to disclose my disability.

A&O welcomes applications from suitable candidates from all backgrounds. A diverse working environment is essential for a successful business and we would encourage applicants to disclose should they wish to do so. We recommend you inform us of any required adjustments you need during the recruitment process and/ or in the workplace. Whilst you may not need to disclose your actual disability we can only provide support and make the necessary adjustments should you inform us as early on as you can.

I am applying for one of your vacation schemes. I will require adjustments because of my disability. Are you still able to provide these adjustments even though it is only for a short time?

Yes, A&O will provide any reasonable adjustments required for any of our programmes. This includes presentations held at an Allen & Overy office, Open Days, Vacation Placements, and the Training Contract.