Solicitor Apprenticeship (school leaver) - September 2025 - A&O Shearman

Application deadline: 19 February 2025 at 17.00

What you’ll gain

We believe talented and ambitious people will always thrive with the right investment and support. With our Solicitor Apprenticeship programme, we are giving you the opportunity to gain the qualifications and experience to excel in a leading law firm, while earning a salary of £28,000 in the first year of your apprenticeship (increasing every year). 

A&O Shearman, with over 40 offices around the world, is one of the largest global law firms to offer a fully funded Solicitor Level 7 Apprenticeship programme. Upon completion of your training and exams, you will have also earned an LLB (Hons) Law and Legal Practice from BPP University.

Work experience

Across the six-year programme you will gain experience across our legal departments including time in our Banking, Corporate, International Capital Markets and Litigation Departments. Each year, you’ll gain a wide variety of experience but with the security of a training principal to guide you, with further opportunities for secondments in years 5 and 6.

Study time

In years 1 to 4, apprentices study one day a week at BPP University learning about the English Legal System. Apprentices also have coaching and skills development training at BPP University, with a dedicated point of contact for support. In years 5 and 6 apprentices will focus on the SQE with their professional portfolio signed-off in year 6. 

Growth and development

We offer exceptional professional and personal development – providing training, mentoring and practical support. In every year of the solicitor apprenticeship, you have mentors and other dedicated points of contact to ensure that you receive the best pastoral care possible. With us, you will constantly be learning and growing. 

Working Here

Rotating through our practice groups, you will discover the full breadth of our offering to clients, see first-hand how we are constantly innovating and evolving our approach to law and understand how you can play a real part in it. A key benefit of developing this way is that you will simultaneously be advancing your technical knowledge and developing critical experience of the legal world, while also gaining the soft skills and attributes that will serve you well to become a leading, first-class lawyer. You will be exposed to the challenges you will face as a lawyer, while also having the exceptional resources and support to overcome them as they arise.

Another great benefit is the ability to immerse yourself in our culture while you study and grow. Our culture is built on inclusion. We’re continually building an environment that enables you to bring your whole self to work. Where you feel supported to excel. Where you feel like you belong. As you work with different teams across our practice groups, you will build a valuable and reliable network of talented colleagues who will always make you feel welcome and supported and will help you reach your full potential and thrive wherever your career takes you.

Academic qualifications

We require you to be on track to achieving AAB at A-Level or equivalent and have 7 GCSEs at grade 6 or above (including Maths and English). We do look at every form received and take extenuating circumstances into account for grades that do not meet our requirements.

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.

Ambition

You’re determined to achieve a first-class legal career and tackle challenges along the way.  

Collaboration

You enjoy working in a team to complete a task or achieve a shared goal.

Resilience

The ability to respond to pressure and overcome challenges in a constructive manner.

Passionate

We welcome applications from all graduates who are passionate about commercial law and innovation, regardless of the university they attended and the degree they earned

When reviewing applicants, we look out for the skills and qualities you have that will help you become a talented lawyer. That is not just strong communication and organisational skills, but the commitment, resilience and enthusiasm required to be an effective team member and work under pressure. At times, a career in law can be challenging, so it is critical that apprentices are adaptable and can work effectively individually, or as part of a team.

Find out more by clicking on Apply.