Training and development

Empowering you to grow and own your career

Being a transformational global law firm requires continuous growth, and our people are key to this. When you join us, we invest in you - providing skills and knowledge that are tailored to your career and helping you achieve your goals. Training is at the heart of how we support you to perform at your best. We aim to bring you opportunities you wouldn’t find anywhere else - and we empower you to drive your own development by providing access to industry-leading training and development at every point in your career. This investment will equip you with the knowledge, leadership, management and business skills you need to reach your full potential.

Legal professionals

A group of colleagues engaged in conversation outside of the office.

Developing with us as a legal professional

We will provide you with the training and development that empowers you to perform at your best:

Learn through bespoke in-person and virtual training from senior internal and external industry-leading experts and top academics, which includes:
- ongoing legal technical and skills training at national, regional, and global levels;
- regular practice group legal training on critical topics, legal developments and trends;
- global practice and sector offsites; and
- financial and commercial awareness training.
Learn through our wide range of key business and professional skills training, which is led by external experts and our internal faculty. Skills covered include: being innovative in the way we deliver value to our clients, relationship-building, business development, legal drafting, writing, negotiation, and research.
Specialized development for people managers.
Access to a wide variety of learning resources via our advanced, personalized eLearning platform.

Two colleagues engaged in a conversation in an office environment.

Support for career progression as a legal professional

We offer professional development opportunities throughout every stage of your career development:

Tailored early careers development programs for future lawyers.
Practice and industry group “universities” for junior lawyers, and more advanced academies for 3–5 years PQE.
Global associate development programs with active partner faculty support for these.
Training on how to make the most of our legal technology and bespoke AI tools, and how to manage associated risks.
Expert coaching when transitioning into senior roles, and more widely.
Leadership development for partners, whether new to the role or experienced, including through the INSEAD business school.
Meaningful, structured career conversations, constructive real-time feedback, and transparent, timely discussions about development and promotion.

A professional in a modern office holding a notebook.

Empowering your career and performance as a business team professional

We encourage you to embrace the wealth of training and learning opportunities that are available to support you in achieving your goals:

Gain access to an extensive range of learning resources on our advanced platform.
Join competency-based development programs, for each stage of your career.
If you’re a people manager, we’ll support you to do a great job through specialized and leadership training.
Participate in group coaching for career reflection.
Learn from industry-leading experts at the forefront of their fields.
Acquire essential knowledge, leadership, management, and management and business skills.
Benefit from tailored programs addressing A&O Shearman business teams’ challenges.
Access programs at the relevant stage in your career, and network with peers from other offices.

A group of professionals in a workplace setting, reflecting a collaborative work environment.

Gaining experience in a different country

Taking on an international assignment can transform your experience and outlook, both professionally and personally. Many of our people relocate to another A&O Shearman office each year, either on a short-term, long-term, or permanent basis and for many reasons, whether business or personal. An internationally mobile workforce means we can be ready on the ground for every challenge and opportunity our clients face globally. And because A&O Shearman is one firm worldwide, you can expect a personal and consistent approach to the practicalities wherever you go.

We have an experienced global mobility team that supports individuals taking on international assignments, so you can be assured that every aspect of the move is considered and catered for. It’s a great way to build your international experience and global network.