Early careers - Canada | A&O Shearman careers

Creating unparalleled opportunities

A&O Shearman is the result of combining two of the world’s most prestigious law firms into a single industry-leading firm, preeminent in all legal markets throughout the globe. Our 4,000 lawyers collaborate in 28 countries on six continents.

Our global reach, diversity of practice groups and people, caliber of clients, commitment to innovation and uniquely people-centered culture afford our summer associates opportunities not available at any other firm.

The summer program experience

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Work and mentorship

Our summer program for 1L and 2L law students allows summer associates to work on real, cutting-edge work across various substantive areas, alongside a diverse group of partners and associates. Each summer associate will be paired with a senior and associate mentor, who will help integrate summer associates to the firm both substantively and socially. Summer associates will work in practice groups in which they have expressed interest during the interview and onboarding processes. Some may prefer to work in transactional groups, while others are focused on disputes. Some are undecided and will gain exposure to both types of work. Others may choose to preference a smaller, focused group versus a larger group. The best part is that you decide – and that each summer associate’s path and preferences are unique and individualized.

Some summer associates will have the opportunity to spend time in more than one firm office. For example, during our inaugural 2024 A&O Shearman summer program, some U.S. summer associates were split internationally between Tokyo and London and domestically between New York and Washington. With our 48 offices across six continents, there are many split possibilities at A&O Shearman. If you’re interested in splitting your summer, we encourage you to mention this at the outset of the interview process. Office placement decisions are based on the business needs of each office and the degree of summer associate interest, so a separate interview is not necessary.

Training, professional development and feedback

Summer associates are provided meaningful formal training through A&O Shearman’s summer associate university (SAU) training program. Topics include: writing, negotiations, professionalism, research, DEI, wellness, and more. Beyond this formal training program, summer associates gain tremendous practical experience and on-the-job training through our mentoring system and by working alongside our lawyers, who are experts in their field.

During the course of the program, summer associates can expect to regularly receive real-time feedback from the lawyers with whom they are working and collaborating. In addition, summer associates will receive two formal reviews with a member of our recruiting committee, one at the mid-summer point and the other at end-summer. This feedback will help you to accelerate your growth and fine tune your skills early in your career.

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Social events

In addition to lunches, dinners, and practice group events, there will be many opportunities for summer associates to meet and get to know attorneys throughout the firm. We recognize these opportunities as one of the most essential elements of your summer associate experience. We will host engaging and interactive social activities once a week that are designed to encourage summer associates and attorneys to get to know each other on an informal basis, and help you integrate into the firm. Popular events that are regularly included in our event “rotation” in various offices include:

Battle of the bites (cooking competition!)
Converse shoe customization
Baseball game
Axe throwing
Sailboat cruise
Brigadeiros making
Concerts
Volunteer/community art programs

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Welcome to our law career guide

Whether you’re applying to A&O Shearman, or any other law firm, this hub will provide you with advice, tips and key information on application processes, interview preparation, and assessment days.

EXPLORE OUR LAW CAREER GUIDE

What to expect longer term

Mentoring training and development

A new lawyer’s career path can be daunting - but you won’t be left to find your way on your own. When you start as a full time attorney at A&O Shearman, you’ll be assigned both an Associate Mentor and a Partner Mentor to help steer you and cheer you on. But mentoring takes many forms at the firm, from formal programs to the lasting relationships with colleagues and partners that evolve naturally over time.

We invest in you so you can develop your skills early in your career through a variety of training programs and resources. As an entry level associate, you and your entire U.S. first year class will start with a week of training in New York before traveling to your respective office. Your first week of orientation will include the following programs:

Multi-day intensive course specifically for new associates.
Lectures on legal developments by partners and associates.
Department-specific training sessions.
Special courses on topics such as the art of communication, legal writing, risk management, law firm economics and more.

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Real-time feedback

In our ongoing efforts to reinvent and improve performance management, we have replaced the traditional annual review process with Compass, a real-time feedback platform to which supervisors regularly post feedback that is immediately available (and thus immediately actionable).

We are committed to fostering a culture that appreciates success and provides real-time actionable feedback.

With Compass, you can expect to:

Gain a clear picture of performance, areas for development, and career potential.
Experience open, honest, two-way career check-ins.
Receive real-time feedback for growth and performance.
Engage in timely, transparent discussions about development and promotion.

Inclusion, community and belonging

By embracing and celebrating differences, we foster an inclusive environment where you can feel comfortable and confident.

Your unique perspective, attributes and experiences are valued at A&O Shearman. Our differences help to shape and inform the best collaborative solutions, foster rich and rewarding work environments and fulfilling working relationships, and provide valuable learning opportunities. Every day, we work to create an environment where everyone feels they can bring their authentic selves to work. Inclusion is a global priority and we encourage and welcome all aspects of everyone’s identities. Being part of A&O Shearman means being committed to cultivating an inclusive environment for each other.

We code inclusion into our culture

Our code of conduct promotes dignity, respect, and doing the right thing with integrity.

We foster relationships based on trust, respect, and inclusivity.

We encourage collaboration and value diverse perspectives.
We promote a sense of community

Our wide range of affinity networks are open to all and welcome individuals from all backgrounds. We’re proud that they not only support the communities they represent, but also provide opportunities for everyone to learn more about those communities and share in enriching events that give insights into each other’s experiences.

Global events and communication series encourage inclusivity, and international offices often collaborate on events, for example, Pride.
We provide training, education and resources, including

Global and local training to increase awareness, support, and allyship.

Programs that support individuals at different career and life stages.

Parental coaching and support for expanding families.