First-Year Program - Hong Kong| A&O Shearman careers

Exceptional begins here

If you think a career in commercial law could be for you and are keen to find out more, there’s no better place to learn about the legal world than our First-Year Program, in our transformational global firm.

Program overview

What you’ll gain

Our First-Year Program is the start of your relationship with our firm. It’s a program of two insight days across the year designed to give you access to employability sessions, a global network, insights about the firm and all the opportunities you need to decide whether a legal career at A&O Shearman is right for you.

You will also be offered additional work experience in Hong Kong. This global experience will give you an international outlook and the opportunity to see how our teams collaborate across the globe.

Strong performers will have their applications fast-tracked for our Hong Kong Vacation Scheme.

What you’ll do

This program is packed full of insights, experiences and exposure to the challenging work we do through workshops and networking. During the scheme, we will help you boost the skills we look for in future trainees, such as technology and commercial awareness. You will see first-hand what it’s like to be part of our supportive community and get a sense of what is expected and what we could help you achieve when you join us.

Growth and development

As part of the scheme you will have:

Advice and guidance from our graduate recruitment team.
A two-day insight scheme in April with the London office and a one-week work experience in August with the Hong Kong office.
Work shadowing to see the role of a lawyer first-hand.
Ongoing support from a trainee ‘buddy’.
Peer support - you will get to know students from other universities and degree disciplines also on the scheme.
An opportunity to be fast-tracked to an interview for a Hong Kong vacation scheme.

Skills to succeed

Below are the essential skills needed to thrive on this program. From making meaningful contributions to our team and clients, to facing legal challenges, these skills will help you excel with us.

Drive
You’re prepared to tackle every challenge and overcome obstacles to achieve your goals.
Commitment
You see a future at our firm and have ambitions to thrive in a legal career as a first-class lawyer.
Curiosity
You want to find out more about the firm, our culture, the clients we work with and the sectors we operate in.

Program details

Academic qualifications

We’re able to welcome students in their first year of a three-year (or second year of a four-year) undergraduate degree from any degree discipline at a UK university. Applicants should be on track for a 2:1. Proficiency in Chinese is preferable.

Personal skills

Drive, commitment and curiosity.

Application window

Our application window typically runs from January to February. Please stay tuned for the release of key dates for the 2027 intake.

Scheme dates

2027; dates TBC.

"I was privileged to have been able to experience the welcoming and supportive A&O Shearman culture, where I have felt the passion people have, along with the diligence and pride they put into every piece of work that they do."
Caitlin Chiu 2024 PARTICIPANT AND 2027 TRAINEE

Tips, insights and advice, direct from our team

Who better to learn from than the people already here? Our videos feature tips, insights and advice straight from our colleagues, helping you navigate applications, interviews and everything in between. Real people, real experiences, real advice to set you up for success.

Sophia’s first-year program deep dive

Early careers coordinator, Sophia, talks through how the first-year program gives students an early look at commercial law in practice.

The anatomy of a deal

This video breaks down the complexities of a transaction to show how all the parts fit together for corporate lawyers.

Belong. Excel.

Discover what it means to be part of A&O Shearman.

Application process

Online application

The online application form is your first opportunity to show us what you’re capable of, so be sure to pay attention to detail and think about the examples you use and whether they demonstrate the skills and attributes we are looking for. You will need to submit your CV, a cover letter, and your most recent academic transcript (if available).

Assessment

You will then complete our online experience, which includes Situational Judgement Test questions, verbal and numerical reasoning items and two short motivation questions to complete via video. It is untimed and should take around 45 minutes. It provides a realistic preview of what you may experience as a trainee here as well as give us an insight into your motivations.

Interviews

Shortlisted candidates will complete a one-on-one virtual interview. You will be asked a series of questions based on scenarios you may encounter as a trainee.

Offer

After your interview, we will review your performance and aim to get back to you with a decision as quickly as possible.

A word of caution

There are a number of websites purporting to provide free samples of A&O Shearman application forms and assessment questions, including questions from our online experience. A&O Shearman takes cases of plagiarism and copyright extremely seriously.

We strongly caution applicants against using, or paying for, unofficial sources claiming to provide information on the A&O Shearman application process. We encourage every potential candidate to review our website for details of our application process and a sample SJT.