Uptree

Placement details

Overview

Location: Virtual + A&O Shearman London office.

Start Date: July 2025

Application criteria:

• 7 GCSEs at grades 6 or above (including Maths and English). They do take into account mitigating circumstances 
• AAB (136 UCAS points) or equivalent at A-Level

• Applicants must:

  • have always attended a state-funded or non-fee-paying school
  • come from a household where no parent or guardian has a qualification from a UK university
  • be a UK national or EU national with settled status in the UK by the time you apply for university

• Applicants must also meet one of the following additional criteria:  

  • receive, or have previously received free school meals, Education Maintenance Allowance or a 16 to 19 Bursary Fund
  • have parent(s)/guardian(s) who receive income support or housing benefits
  • be or have been in local authority care (for at least three months)
  • be or have been a full-time or part-time young carer
  • come to the UK as a refugee or asylum seeker

Key skills:

• Ambition
• Curiosity
• Collaboration
• Organisation

Application deadline: 28th February 2025

How to apply: click 'Apply' at the top of this page!

 

About the Step into Law Scheme

A&O Shearman’s Steps into Law Scheme consists of 4 sessions across 2 weeks in July and August. The first 3 sessions will take place online and the final session will take place in the A&O Shearman London office.

This programme is an interactive, inclusive, and insightful series of workshops and group mentoring sessions for year 13 students from less advantaged social backgrounds who are interested in pursuing a career in law. 

During the programme, you will learn about the legal sector, enhance your employability skills, identify your strengths and learn how to excel at applications, assessment centres and interviews. You’ll become part of a small working group with a dedicated mentor from A&O Shearman. There are also several opportunities to network with firm employees and fellow participants to ask questions in an informal and relaxed setting.

Post-programme, all Step Into Law participants benefit from upReach support. This includes a tailored programme of career and employability support for three years, with acceptance subject to upReach’s eligibility criteria.

 

About A&O Shearman

Since the legal powerhouses – Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling – joined forces in May 2024, A&O Shearman has proven to be an unparalleled combination: a new type of industry leader with truly global capabilities. With over 4000 lawyers, across 48 offices in 29 countries, they work on the most interesting, high-profile legal work, helping the world’s leading businesses to grow, innovate, and thrive. In today’s ever-changing world, A&O Shearman continue to break new ground, working with companies, organisations and governments on the most complex legal issues and building strong and enduring client relationships.

 

Next steps

Apply exclusively through Uptree by clicking 'apply' at the top of the page. We recommend that you apply as soon as possible to kick-start your application process!