The training is quite flexible, although you do have to do at least two seats in the core practice areas of Finance (banking or ICM) and Corporate (12 months total in two of the three departments). The rest of the training is up to you (within the needs of the business). You can do six months abroad, six months on secondment, two three-month seats in smaller departments such as employment or competition, or even three months at a local Legal Advice Centre. A&O aims to recruit, train and develop successful lawyers who want to develop a long-term career with Allen & Overy. All the firm’s future trainees take the Allen & Overy-specific LPC (Legal Practice Course) at BPP. The course has been specially designed to equip trainees with the skills and knowledge needed to be a successful solicitor, and is set in the context of the type of transactions Allen & Overy lawyers are involved in. The modules taken will focus on core practice areas, to ensure that time at law school is the best possible preparation for the training contract with Allen & Overy. It will provide trainees with a sound technical and theoretical background for a career with the firm. Studying the Allen & Overy LPC also means that trainees will develop strong bonds with their new colleagues and build friendships from day one.
Litigation Course
Allen and Overy trainees are able to acquire contentious experience during their training contract. From July 2007, trainees have been offered the option of completing a Litigation course, which means trainees will no longer need to sit in Dispute Resolution or Employment departments to gain their contentious experience if they are sure their interests lie elsewhere. This course is run by the Nottingham Law School and consists of tuition for a block of five days and a monthly visit to a legal advice centre for a year, to gain practical contentious experience.
Seats
Your training will be based on three or six month rotations, known as ‘seats’ of which you will take part in four to six. On these seats you will learn about a number of departments or practice areas, where you will sit with a partner or an associate who will instruct you. After joining Allen & Overy you will meet the HR Manager to form an individual seat plan, tailored to take your interests and aspirations into consideration. Additionally you will discuss the length of your seats, and explore the possibilities of international or client secondments. You’ll also nominate a “priority seat” which means you’ll be guaranteed experience in a chosen department. Allen and Overy’s core areas of expertise are Corporate, Banking and International Capital Markets. As a trainee you will spend at least twelve months of your training contract gaining experience in at least two of these key areas. As a trainee you may be able to take three or six month seats at Allen & Overy offices in other countries. If you are able to speak the language of the country you wish to travel to, this will certainly make things easier for you. Allen & Overy offer approximately 39 international seats in 22 of their offices. Trainees usually apply to undertaken secondments in the final six months of their training contract. Trainees are also offered a number of client based secondments, which enable trainees to spend time in another working environment and experience the clients’ side of business, working alongside client’s staff in client’s offices. These secondments normally take place in the second year of training.
International Travel
As a trainee or fully qualified solicitor at Allen & Overy you will certainly travel internationally when working with European clients. As a trainee you may be able to take three or six month seats at Allen & Overy offices in other countries. If you are able to speak the language of the country you wish to travel to, this will certainly make things easier for you. Allen & Overy offer 39 international seats in 22 of their offices. Trainees usually apply for these secondments in the final six months of their training contract.
Client Secondments
Allen & Overy offer trainees a number of client based secondments, which enable trainees to spend time in another working environment and experience the clients’ side of business, working alongside client’s staff in client’s offices. These secondments normally take place in the second year of training.
Training Contract Benefits
When you accept an offer of a training contract from Allen & Overy you will not only be entitled to a top job and good salary but also financial support for ALL law school studies. Allen & Overy will pay your course fees for the GDL (Graduate Diploma in Law) at The College of Law (any location). They will also pay for all course fees associated with the LPC (Legal Practice Course) although you are asked to do the Allen & Overy specific LPC, at The College of Law London. Allen & Overy also provide students with a maintenance grant. If you are studying for the GDL this means you will receive £6,000 (if living in London) or £5,000 (if living elsewhere in the UK). If you are studying for the LPC, you will receive an annual maintenance grant of £7,000. Students who choose to take the two year LLB course are offered a maximum of £6,000 towards course fees. Future trainees taking this course also receive a one-off maintenance payment of £6,000 for courses in London, Oxford & Guildford and £5,000 for courses elsewhere in the UK. If you accept your training contract after commencing the GDL, LPC or two year LLB Allen & Overy will pro rata your maintenance award, but your course fees will be refunded in full. Allen & Overy recognise high achieving students by offering a cash award of £500 for anyone who collects a first class degree and/or a distinction in the LPC after accepting a Training Contract offer. Future trainees who decide to take time off before joining Allen & Overy are warmly supported, especially those who plan to extend, develop or gain other skills or experiences that will be useful when working at A&O. Future trainees can apply for an award of £500 to contribute towards funds required for this time off, or other equally important activites such as purchasing a new laptop, completing a language study course, or undertaking a pro bono or community initiative.
Application Deadlines
The application deadline is typically around mid-January for non-lawyers. Law students should apply from 1st June - 31st July. Hired trainees start work in September or March each year.
Salary and Benefits
The current salary for first year trainees is £50,000 rising to £55,000 in the second year of training. In addition, you will be entitled to a generous benefits package which includes insurance (life, permanent health and private medical), pension scheme, an interest-free season ticket loan, as well as a range of on-site facilities such as a gym, medical and dental service, beauty treatments, dry cleaners and restaurants.
