Training and support
One of the things our trainees value most about being at Allen & Overy is the excellent award-winning training they receive. In each seat you will sit with a partner or associate who will provide you with support and guidance, and you will take an active and practical role in the department's work, with plenty of individual responsibility along the way.
As well as learning practical skills such as drafting, transaction management, negotiation, research and legal and office procedures, the experience you gain as a trainee will develop your professional conduct including negotiation and communication with clients and colleagues.
Alongside your departmental work, you will complete the Professional Skills Course which consists of three compulsory modules: client care and professional standards, advocacy and communication skills, and financial and business skills, plus elective modules specific to our needs, such as financial economics, developing business relationships and negotiating a deal. Another advantage of training at A&O is the opportunity to learn from some of the world's top lawyers. As well as regular departmental training and updates, trainees can attend client seminars delivered by our partners and associates.
Our impressive in-house training covers a broad range of legal, personal and business skills to help you develop not just as a lawyer but also as a business person. Personal development is highly valued at A&O and we offer a wide range of formal and informal training, from a lunchtime seminar on the latest legal update to a one-to-one session at your PC with an IT trainer. Foreign language training is also available if there is a business need.
Training does not stop on qualification. We run many courses to help you develop not just as a lawyer but also developing personal and business skills.
At key points during your associate career you will become eligible to attend the different stages of our bespoke global associate decelopment programme, where you will be joined by colleagues from around the world. These sessions are run by internal and external experts, and focus on developing your strategic and commercial awareness, and your ability to work effectively and with resilience. As you progress, the focus on managing client relationships, personal impact and building a practice increases.
Individual practice groups run a "university" each year which focuses on specific technical skills and knowledge, to which all newly qualified associates are invited. Our practice groups also hold regular training sessions to look at updating your knowledge in the area in which you are working.
