A&O Training Contract
We take your training very seriously at Allen & Overy. When you join us, you may have some idea of where you want to specialise, but we believe it’s important to give you as broad an exposure to our business as possible. You’ll be performing important tasks and taking on meaningful responsibility, with as much client time as possible. The standards and expectations are high but you’ll be well supported by professionals who recognise that it’s people like you who represent the future success of our firm.
They are ideal preparation for life as a qualified lawyer. Currently, at least 80% of our trainees take advantage of these opportunities. International and client secondments take place in the final seat. Before this final seat, you will undertake department-specific training to ensure that you are able to make the most of your time there. In addition to your seat-based learning, you will also undertake our Professional Skills Course, which aims to build on the foundations you established during the Allen & Overy LPC. The aim is to develop your commercial skill-set and to enhance your ability to contribute to the teams you work with during your A&O Training Contract. As you go through the A&O Training Contract and gain experience, your level of responsibility will increase. Your professional development is a continuing priority for us and we will deliver training and support in a variety of ways, including mentoring from your supervisors and department-specific courses. People in every part of the firm will help you; there is a good balance between support and supervision, and being encouraged to work independently. We have a strong record of retaining our trainees – in 2016 we retained 89% of our trainees – but whatever your future holds, your A&O Training Contract will give you a platform of skills and experiences on which to build a long-term career.
Your A&O Training Contract will usually be based on four six-month rotations – known in the legal profession as ‘seats’. You will sit with a supervisor – usually a partner or senior associate – and actively contribute to the day-to-day operation of that department, working on transactions and cases, taking real responsibility and gaining plenty of client exposure. You will spend a minimum of 12 months of your A&O Training Contract in at least two of our three main transactional practice areas (Corporate, Banking and International Capital Markets) and you can express your preference for your first seat – generally, in one of these areas – prior to joining. Shortly after you start your A&O Training Contract, you will attend an information evening where all departments are represented, so that you get the chance to meet Allen & Overy lawyers from all of the different practice areas. Following this, we will discuss with you on a one-to-one basis to decide which seats you will do. You can identify a ‘priority seat’ in which you have a particular interest and also discuss the possibility of an international or client secondment. These international and client-based seats will give you a different perspective on the work of a lawyer and enable you to broaden your experience.
Find out about the journey and opportunities available: aograduate.com/training-contract
A&O Training Contract 15
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