Training Contract - Hong Kong| A&O Shearman careers

Experience a career without limits

Our training contracts are designed to continually help you evolve and reach your full potential. At our firm, you’ll find your strengths, overcome challenges and bring out the best in yourself - all to become a first-class lawyer.

Programme overview

Our training programme is meticulously designed and continually evolving to provide the foundations you need to find your strengths, overcome challenges and bring out the best in yourself.

What you’ll do

Your training will be based on four six-month rotations (known as ‘seats’), through a number of departments or practice areas. Seats are available across our departments (Corporate, Finance and Disputes) and will help you to discover the full range of work we do and the expertise we have in our teams. In each seat, you will sit with a trainer (usually an associate), who will supervise your professional and personal development, showing you how to excel as a successful commercial lawyer.

You will have the opportunity to express your two-seat preferences shortly before the start of your Training Contract. You are guaranteed to sit in at least one of those, and many trainees sit in both (subject to business need).

Your penultimate or final seat will typically involve a six-month secondment to one of our overseas offices, which will give you the chance to grow and strengthen your network.

Training and support

One of the things our trainees value most about being at A&O Shearman is the award-winning training they receive. Your development is one of our key priorities and you’ll see that every day you are with us.

In addition to learning practical skills such as drafting, transaction management, research and legal and office procedures, the experience you gain as a trainee will develop your professional conduct, particularly with respect to negotiation and communication with clients and colleagues.

Alongside your departmental work, you will have the opportunity to work side by side and learn from some of the world’s top lawyers. As well as regular departmental training and updates (specific to your seat), you can attend client seminars delivered by our partners and associates on the most cutting-edge issues affecting our industry. You will also attend wider skills training and a range of seminars and talks on matters essential to A&O Shearman, which include mental health and well-being and inclusion.

Training does not stop at qualification. We are proud of our position as pioneers in the legal industry and our commitment to continuous learning is a key part in maintaining it. At key points during your associate career, you will become eligible to attend the different stages of our bespoke global associate development program, where you will be joined by colleagues from around the world. These sessions are run by internal and external experts, focusing on developing your strategic and commercial awareness and your ability to work effectively and with resilience. As you progress, the focus on managing client relationships and building a practice increases.

Culture and values

High-performing, and also friendly, collaborative and inclusive. We trust and respect each other. We expect the best of each other and we nurture an environment and ways of working that promote positive well-being. We can be ourselves and be our best. We aim high, embrace challenges, and we deliver quality.

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. Being part of A&O Shearman means being committed to cultivating an inclusive environment for each other.

We encourage everyone at the firm to pursue their interests, whether they are passions outside the office, or at the firm’s clubs and events. In addition, the firm’s commitment to social impact work also offers our people the chance to experience and contribute to our inclusive culture.

What we offer

Health and well-being

Mandatory Provident Fund Scheme - a pension scheme.
Medical, life, health, dental and accident insurance.
Well-being allowance.

Time out

22 days leave for each year of your Training Contract.
Birthday leave.
Six weeks of unpaid qualification leave.

Financial security

PCLL course fees reimbursed in full.
A maintenance grant of HKD70,000 towards your living costs during the PCLL year.
Future trainees who achieve a first-class LLB degree and/or an overall distinction in the PCLL will receive a cash award of HKD6,000 for each achievement.
PCLL conversion exam fees reimbursed in full for the first attempt.

Taxation

Enrolment in our rental reimbursement scheme.

Programme details

Academic qualifications

We welcome candidates with strong academic performance from all universities in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and other common law jurisdictions, on track for a 2:1. You will need to complete the Postgraduate Certificate in Law (PCLL) in Hong Kong.

Recruitment

We recruit our trainees via our Vacation Scheme. We do not have a separate trainee recruitment program for those who have already graduated. In the event that we need to increase our graduate numbers we will advertise the roles on our website.

Scheme dates

The training contract will start in September each year.

EXPLORE OUR VACATION SCHEME

"Our firm is built for the future of the law, and for your future too. Our training program aims to bring you opportunities you wouldn’t find anywhere else, and we empower you to drive your own development by providing you with access to industry-leading training and development at every point in your career. You will be working on active matters from day one alongside our award-winning teams."
Cindy Lo MANAGING PARTNER OF HONG KONG AND MANAGING PARTNER OF GREATER CHINA

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