Uptree

Placement details

Overview

Location: Virtual + A&O Shearman London office.

Start Date: 25 July 2024

How to apply: 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!

Travel expenses up to £100 will be covered. This includes travel to the nearest public transport link to the office and your home location. Extenuating circumstances will be considered but must be raised and confirmed with Uptree in advance. 

About the opportunity 

A&O Shearman’s Accelerate programme is an interactive, inclusive, and insightful series of workshops and group mentoring sessions for year 13 students from less advantaged backgrounds who are interested in pursuing a career in the commercial law sector. Over the course of five sessions across two weeks in July and August 2024, you will become a part of a small working group with a dedicated A&O Shearman mentor.

During the programme, you will not only learn more about the commercial law sector, but also enhance your employability skills through identifying your strengths and learning how to excel at applications, assessment centres and interviews. There are also several opportunities to network with firm employees and fellow participants to ask questions in an informal and relaxed setting.

Eligibility criteria:

Academic: To apply to Accelerate you must have minimum predicted grades of AAB at A level or equivalent (e.g. International Baccalaureate or BTEC).

Social background: To be eligible to apply all 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 they 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 
• be attending a school or college with: 
• below average A-Level or Scottish Highers points score, and/or 
• a low rate of progression to higher education 

Programme outline
You will need to be available to attend all sessions to be considered for the programme. In 2024, A&O aim to host up to 35 students.

Introductory session:
What to expect from the A&O Shearman Accelerate Programme and an Introduction to the A&O Shearman Bursary  |  Thursday 25 July 2024 @ 11:00 – 12:30  | Held virtually

Workshop 1:
Welcome to A&O Shearman Accelerate  |  Thursday 30 July 2024 @ 11:00 – 13:00  | Held virtually

Workshop 2:
Commercial Awareness Masterclass  |  Thursday 1 August 2024 @ 11:00 – 13:00  |  Held virtually

Workshop 3:
Careers Coaching: Building your Confidence and Identifying your Strengths  | Tuesday 6 August
2024 @ 11:00 – 13:00  I  Held virtually

Workshop 4:
Application and Interview Skills Session and Group Social  | Thursday 8 August 2024 @ 11:00 – 16:00  I  Held in person at the A&O Shearman London office

Early Careers Recruitment support:
During the first term of university, A&O Shearman Early Careers Recruitment team will provide former A&O Shearman Accelerate participants with regular careers newsletters containing top tips for preparing for first year programs and enhancing key employability skills. Before the application window opens for A&O Shearman's first year programme in January 2025, the team conducts personalised one-to-one application support calls with all participants. Additionally, they organise a commercial awareness session, which focuses on a commercial case study similar to the one you are likely to encounter in the A&O Shearman's first-year scheme interviews. Post-program, all Accelerate participants benefit from upReach support, facilitated through A&O Shearman’s partnership with upReach. This includes a tailored programof careers and employability support for three years, with acceptance subject to up Reach’s eligibility criteria.

About A&O Shearman

Since the two 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!