Graduate Programmes
LawTech Graduate Programme
LawTech Graduate Programme
Be part of building the future of law.
At Allen & Overy, we don’t wait for the future to come to us; we drive it forwards. We innovate and pioneer new solutions to forge new possibilities and that means new opportunities for all of us.
By investing in the fusion of technology and law, we’re shaping how the industry utilises the latest innovation. We work smarter and bolder, so that we can deliver solutions fast and at scale. From artificial intelligence to data visualisation, project management tools to data-driven decision making, we are transforming both the services we offer and the ways in which we deliver them.
That’s where our LawTech Graduate Programme comes in. We are looking for creative and ambitious people, to drive transformation at the heart of the firm. We provide our trainees with the skills to succeed and the support and resources to re-define the role of tech in law.
Eligibility
We’re able to welcome final-year students or graduates from all universities with any degree (although a STEM or Economics background is preferred).
Application window
18 December 2023 - 2 February 2024
Programme Overview
Our programme will give you the foundation and skills to set you up for an exciting career in technology. You’ll rotate through various areas in Advanced Delivery & Solutions – our Markets Innovation Group, Project Management, Legal Tech and Fuse or eDiscovery teams.
This experience combines learning from a range of experts with applying that learning on real projects from day one. You’ll play a meaningful role in our transformation, helping us to innovative our solutions and service delivery from every angle.
This could be just the start. When you finish the programme, you’ll have the opportunity to pursue a permanent role in one of the following areas once you’ve established your interests and strengths. You’ll be supported to find the team that best matches your abilities.
Salary
£37,500 in the first year
£43,000 in the second year
Shruti
Head of Fuse
We’re committed to creating an environment where people can lift themselves out of the traditional view of law and instead see that there are a lot of different ways of accomplishing things by looking from a different perspective.
To succeed, you’ll still need the rigour, the grit and resilience that forms a good lawyer, but you will be able to blend that with being open-minded, unafraid to try new things and be a passionate agent of change. I don’t think tech skills are the be all and end all, I don’t have any STEM skills for example, but I do have the above, and those characteristics are important in not just coming up with a great idea, but being able to put that into planning and execution.
What I particularly love about this programme is that you get to be at the helm of changing things. Here you get to be part of looking at the problem, choosing the tech and being part of the solution. It’s empowering and a very rare opportunity to understand a vast plethora of things that feed into law. There are so many multidisciplinary teams required for a law firm to function effectively and this is an opportunity to get a seat in the tech focused departments. It develops a real variety of skillsets and offers a broad view of different practice groups through the lens of resources, project management and tech.
Shruti
Joe
LawTech Graduate
As a chemistry graduate from Cambridge, I was unsure if it was even appropriate to apply for the programme as I’d never studied law, but I was interested in legal tech and the role of tech in finance and business. Having been in the role for two years, I can say that it was a great decision to go for and I’ve really enjoyed my time here.
I’ve now applied for a full-time role in the project management team. What I like about project management the most is that there isn’t any typical work that the team does. We work on the largest matters in the firm, often multijurisdictional, coordinating lawyers from different departments.
While it helps to be inquisitive, analytical and entrepreneurial, there is no one type of person who would be perfect in the programme. People are varied and their interests are different. It is not essential to have legal knowledge, a lot of the work is advising on new tech so an analytical approach spotting places to advise on and build out, and an interest in new and emerging technologies, would be beneficial.
A&O prides itself in the training of their graduates and I’ve learnt so much due to the massive focus on development. My managers are a key part of this, taking time out of their day to discuss learning objectives with me and generally checking in on work. The project management are an especially great team of friendly, sociable people.
Joe
Advanced Delivery & Solutions Explained
Reasons to join
If you’re fascinated by tech and its potential to make a difference, this programme is for you. Every innovation we deliver has a direct impact on clients. By enhancing and modernising traditional law practices, we make legal representation accessible to everyone. Legal Tech is on the frontline of defining what every part of law will look like in the future and this programme will give you the opportunity to shape it.
Allen & Overy will also support and fund recognised training and qualifications as you rotate through the four areas, including: project management (PRINCE2), Strategyser and RelativityOne Review Pro.
COHORT
Our cohorts are small. By recruiting just four graduates each year, we’re able to offer them real responsibility early on and enable them to make a difference on a wide range of important projects. Small cohorts also increase the likelihood of our graduates finding a permanent role in their chosen area at the end of the programme.
TRAINING
It doesn’t matter if you’re unsure about which area of technology you would like to specialise in. Our two-year programme offers you the opportunity to experience four 6-month rotational seats in a wide variety of areas, equipping you with the technical knowledge, industry awareness and variety of project experience needed to qualify for a future career at Allen & Overy. You will also assist our teams on a range of projects of varying lengths; contributing to some as they progress and seeing others through every stage of development from start to finish.
CULTURE
We’re an established organisation; one with an entrepreneurial mindset. You’ll work within a start-up-like environment and experience something new each day – all while encountering new challenges and problems your managers may not always have the answers to. That’s why we’ll provide you with the space to think and create new solutions, and help you feel empowered from day one.
DEVELOP
This role won’t be focused solely on technology, or a certain niche area or element of the industry. As a result, you’ll be able to gain a variety of transferable skills including project management and consultancy, as well as gain exposure to a broad range of technology.
INNOVATE
This is the perfect opportunity for someone with the ambition to be part of something from the very beginning. LawTech is a new industry and you will be given a unique opportunity to innovate your career and make your mark on an evolving area in its infancy.
What we look for
Curiosity is the key to succeeding in this team. It’s more than a love of learning, but the desire to question everything: looking for better ways of working, sharing new ideas and always finding that drive to discover something that could change everything.
This means we’re able to welcome applicants from all universities with any degree although a STEM or Economics background is preferred. Whichever subject you studied – if you can ask the right questions and show your commitment to playing a meaningful role in a team dedicated to innovation – you could be the perfect candidate for our LawTech graduate programme. Our academic requirements are AAB (136 UCAS points) or equivalent at A-Level and on track for/achieved a 2:1 undergraduate degree. We do take into account mitigating circumstances, including those relating to a disability, which may have affected your grades either at school or university and there is a space on the application form to include these.
Application Process
The application process is designed to give you a platform to show us what you’re capable of and to set you up for success at Allen & Overy.
1. Online Application
This is your time to show us what you’re capable of. We are interested in your journey to date, your areas of interest and in particular, why this role appeals to you. In this stage, you will answer two short essay questions and detail your work and education history.
2. Interviews
If your online application is successful, the next stage will be a virtual Assessment Day composed of two one-on-one interviews.
The first interview will be on a case study, focused on the type of work you will be exposed to in this role. You will have time to work through a short brief and prepare a short presentation to deliver to your interviewer. This will be followed by a discussion on the key points from the case study.
In the second interview, you will be asked a series of questions based on scenarios you may encounter as a LawTech graduate.
Then & Now
Our A&O Lawyers all started from somewhere. From all kinds of backgrounds. Through every stage of their life, from personal to professional and the challenges along the way, our lawyers look back on the journeys that got them where they are today.
Growing up in Jordan with a genetic condition, Ghazi learned to live life despite limitations. With the grades, curiosity and interest, there was nothing to lose and everything to gain. His story shows anything is possible.
Jennifer has experienced a world, career and life that she never thought would be in her reach. Hear how a summer school for low-income backgrounds changed Jennifer’s perspective on what she could achieve.
Born in Nigeria, Mitch believes nothing is impossible. Now a partner at A&O and mum of three, she has surrounded herself with the right people and has had support from her family every step of the way.
