Cooperative Training Program - Saudi Arabia

Program overview

Experience the pace, complexity and excitement of A&O Shearman through our Riyadh COOP Scheme. Designed for high-caliber university students, this immersive placement offers an unparalleled vantage point on live matters spanning industries, jurisdictions and practice areas, giving you genuine insight into the international breadth of our Middle East practice.

What you'll do

Throughout the program, you will sit alongside associates who will guide you through ongoing transactions, sharing practical know-how and providing real-time feedback. You will draft, research and problem-solve on the same deals and disputes that occupy our teams, which means every task is commercially relevant and intellectually stretching.

Beyond your immediate seat, you will collaborate across departments on projects designed to refine your analytical, teamwork and presentation skills. By contributing to client briefings, participating in brainstorming sessions and attending internal workshops, you will build a holistic understanding of our clients’ needs and the legal services we deliver across the region.

Your performance throughout the scheme will form the basis of our assessment for securing a trainee associate role.

If you are ready to move from theory to practice and see what it means to advise at the forefront of the Middle East legal market, we invite you to apply to our COOP Scheme today.

Program details

Language requirements

Candidates must be fluent in Arabic and have proficiency in business English.

Personal skills

We seek candidates who can demonstrate strong personal skills alongside academic ability. These include communication, problem solving, teamwork, time management, attention to detail, and adaptability. Evidence of these skills, whether from academic, extracurricular, or personal experiences, is valued in our COOP Scheme applications.

Application window

Winter: September 2026 - November 2026.
Interviews will take place on a rolling basis throughout November and December.

Scheme dates

The scheme will begin in either December or January, depending on university term dates.

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.

The anatomy of a deal

We’ve produced a number of videos to explain more about A&O Shearman and the industry we are in. Here is just one great resource that breaks down the complexities of a transaction to show how all the parts fit together for corporate lawyers.

Hervé Ekué

Hervé shares three of the cases that have shaped his journey, from specializing in debt capital markets and derivatives through to becoming global managing partner of the firm. Hear the cases that define a hugely successful career in global law.