What we offer

A&O First

A&O First

It’s time to see the bigger picture.

If you think a career in commercial law might be for you and are keen to find out more, then A&O First is a great place to start.

A&O First is much more than just work experience. It’s a year-long programme and global support network designed to give you all the information, contacts and experience you need to decide whether a legal career, and a career with Allen & Overy, is what you want.

The programme is packed full of insights, experiences and exposure to the work we do through work-shadowing, networking and opportunities to learn everything you might need to know about the firm.

You will also meet students from our global network and have the opportunity to apply for additional work experience in one of our international offices.  Applications for the additional work experience occur once you have completed the scheme.

“The support network that I experienced really showed the inclusive nature of the firm and truly reflects its collaborative and supportive culture.”

Fiona Joe Sin Yeoh – Current LPC Student and previous A&O First participant.

Meet our people

You’ll also enjoy:

  • Access to our graduate team for advice and guidance for the duration of the programme
  • Two-day workshop in April, followed by a return office visit in September
  • Work shadowing to see the role of a lawyer first-hand
  • Legal and business skills training
  • Ongoing support from a trainee ‘buddy’
  • Valuable networking with associates and partners
  • Access to an online network of people
  • Opportunity to be fast-tracked to an assessment centre for a Vacation Scheme or an A&O Training Contract
  • Membership of an exclusive online forum actively hosted by our recruiting team where you’ll be able to ask questions and share insights with your A&O First peers

  • Continuous support – through A&O First you’ll have ongoing contact with recruiters, trainees and other students interested in law.

Key dates 2019

14 Jan - 14 Feb

Apply online from 14 January 2019.

Applications open 14 Jan 2019

8 & 9 April

*Save the date*

Two day workshop and work shadowing

 

Take part in discussions with the Graduate recruitment team

August

Buddy catch-ups

Hold regular catch-ups with your trainee buddy.

 

27 September

Office visit

Legal and business skills training

 

Oct - Dec

Apply for Vacation Scheme or Training Contract.

Guidance on applications and interviews

Application process

A&O First is for first-year undergraduate students, as well as those in their second-year of a four-year course, and is open to all degree disciplines. The application window opens 14 January 2019 and will close on 14 February 2019.

We’ll be looking for evidence of your commercial awareness, commitment to extra-curricular activities and interest in finding out more about law and, in particular, Allen & Overy.

The online application form is your first opportunity to stand out, so make the most of it with thorough preparation. Make sure you use your strongest examples that demonstrate the skills we are looking for and, above all, good attention to detail.

Once you submit the application, you’ll be prompted to complete an immersive video based Situational Judgement Test (SJT), which should take around 20 minutes to complete. The SJT is designed to provide a realistic preview of what you may experience as a trainee at A&O.

View sample Situational Judgement Question

Interviews

If your application is successful, the next stage will be a telephone case study with a member of the Graduate Recruitment team.

The telephone interview should take no longer than 30 minutes and will cover competency questions as well as a brief case study, which will be read out to you on the phone.