Allen Overy | training contract | vacation scheme

• Allen & Overy

  Allen & Overy LLP is a key player among the quartet referred to as "the magic circle", or, "the Big Four" - UK's top four law firms, and is also ranked in the top ten firms in the world. Banking & Finance, International Capital Markets and Corporate are the three major areas of commercial practice for which Allen & Overy is renowned. It also offers legal services in dispute resolution; tax; employment & benefits; private wealth & charities; and real estate.
  
  Allen & Overy has over 5000 staff working across 34 major cities in the world. The international legal practice can lay claim to some of the most well-known and experienced legal talents in banking, loans, debt securities, derivatives, insolvency, restructuring and private equity. The derivatives team at Allen & Overy is considered as "best in class" in this field.
  
  Allen & Overy is also rated among the two best workplaces in the legal sector, 'Most Popular Graduate Recruiter – Law', and the only law firm short listed for the NCWE (best short term work experience) awards.

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  Since 2006, Allen & Overy has completed an overhaul of remuneration policies, for which is now regarded as 'definitely one of the best' amongst the city law firms, including the magic circle.
  
  Due to the transactional nature of work Allen & Overy draws in you must expect to work long hours at certain periods, however the firm is generally able to maintain reasonable billing hours.
  
  Simply put, Allen & Overy is one of the best law firms in the UK and will give you the advantage of an outstanding training programme. Additionally, there is always the chance of overseas secondments.

  Allen & Overy provides services in Corporate, Banking, International Capital Markets, Dispute resolution, Tax, Employment & Benefits, Real Estate, and, Private Wealth & Charities. Corporate covers M&A – private and public, joint ventures, restructuring, international and private equity offerings, alliances and cross-border deals. Clients include Heineken, Carlsberg, Novartis, ABN Amro and Thomson corporation.
  
  A known front-runner in international finance, Allen & Overy is associated with some of the largest banks, financial institutions and companies in the world. Key areas of expertise are asset finance, capital markets, derivatives, loans, project finance and regulation of financial services. ICM practice provides advice on debt, equity, equity-linked and asset-backed securities, derivatives and structured products. Citigroup, HSBC, Morgan Stanley and Barclays are a few business leaders on this list.
  
  In the field of employment & benefits, Allen & Overy concentrates on employment, pensions and incentives, comprising disputes, employee discrimination, remuneration, tax issues and pension schemes.

  Allen & Overy looks for candidates with a strong academic history, both in law and non-law disciplines. The basic requirement is for a 2:1 degree in any category and 340 UCAS (AAB) at A-level or any equivalent for the training contract or vacation scheme. Candidates should be able to display substantial commercial awareness, strong skills in communication, teamwork, reasoning and problem resolution, high levels of motivation and clarity of thought.
  
  Recruitment for the training contract and vacation scheme is done in two batches yearly – in September and March, and candidates are usually recruited two or three years in advance. Final year law students and fresh law graduates can submit applications during the period 1st June to 31st July. Non-law applicants can submit their applications only from 1st October.
  
  Vacation schemes are offered across winter, summer and spring. Winter placements are open to final year non-law students or graduates. Penultimate year law and non-law undergraduates can apply for spring and summer vacation schemes.

  Allen & Overy offers 120 training contracts annually. Successful applicants undergo a one-day assessment consisting of two interviews with a partner or senior associate. The first covered details provided in the application form and an assessment of your commercial awareness and motivation for a career in law at Allen & Overy. The second involves a case study, where you will have to prepare and present a brief of the case provided.
  
  Allen & Overy has partnered with The College of Law in London to create a tailor-made LPC syllabus for its trainee solicitors. The curriculum covers study options specific to Allen & Overy practice areas with live case studies and all the basics you would need to practice law in a global firm. It also allows future trainees to get to know their intake well in advance of starting the training contract.
  
  The Training Contract runs over a two-year period and consists of 4 or 5, 3 or 6 month seats in different practice areas. Trainees are supervised by a partner or associate in that seat. You can also select a 'priority seat' on the training contract or an area that you are particularly interested in, and may wish to qualify into at the end of your training.
  
  12 months of the training contract will be spent in at least 2 of the core practice areas - Corporate, Banking and International Capital Markets.
  
  In order to gain contentious experience, trainees are given the option to choose between Dispute Resolution or Employment or complete a Litigation course.
  
  Allen & Overy has 39 international seats and trainees can apply for overseas secondments usually during the final seat. Client secondments are scheduled in the 2nd year of the training contract.
  
  In each seat, trainees actively participate in casework and get to handle responsibilities from the very beginning. In addition to seat-specific training at the beginning of each seat, trainees are also required to complete a Professional Skills Course, whilst acquiring practical training in work management, research and other key business skills.

  For more information on the Allen & Overy Graduate Scheme, further details are available via this link

  Allen & Overy conducts vacation schemes through the year - spring, summer and winter, offering about 100 positions in a year. Vacation scheme attendants are assigned to a partner or associate, assisting in carrying out their daily activities. The summer vacation scheme provides seats in two departments, the winter session in one, and trainee preferences and interests are taken into account whilst deciding which seats are to be allocated.
  
  Additionally, trainees participate in a case study project to showcase aptitude and skills in various areas of law practice during the vacation scheme. You are also be required to participate in workshops, presentations on practice-specific topics and sessions designed to improve business, negotiation and communication skills.
  
  The winter placement is conducted for at least a week each December and is open to final year students and graduates from any degree category. The spring vacation programme at Allen & Overy runs for 10 days, during the Easter vacation. This is open to penultimate year undergraduates and second year students from four-year courses.
  
  Summer training is conducted in the period beginning 16th June and ending 15th August, each session is a 3-week programme. The assessment process is exactly the same as for training contracts as it is for the vacation scheme at Allen & Overy.

  Allen & Overy covers all course fees for LPC & GDL, an annual stipend of £6,000 in London and £ 5,000 elsewhere in UK for GDL and a £7,000 stipend for the Allen & Overy LPC in London.
  
  It also pays course fees for a 2-year LLB course up to £6,000 and a one-time stipend of £6,000 for courses taken in London, Oxford and Guildford, £5,000 in other UK cities. Those trainees who secure a first-class degree or a distinction get awarded £500. Salary starts at £38,000 for fresh trainees, rising to £42,200 in the second year of training.
  
  Other benefits include life, health and medical insurance, a contributory pension scheme, interest-free season ticket loan and personal amenities such as gym, medical and associated services, beauty treatments, on-site bar and restaurants.

  You can apply for both Training Contracts and Vacation Placements on-line at allenovery.com/careeruk. The site also provides a link to a short guide on the application process of Allen & Overy, further information may be sought from the site FAQ's or from the contact team at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). There are also lots of interactive features, including blogs from trainees, associates and partners and a video diary depicting a day in the life of at Allen & Overy through the eyes of 5 people.
  
  Applications for training contracts are accepted from law students between 1st June and 31st July. Non-law students can submit applications between 1st October and 16th January.
  
  Applications for winter vacation placements for the coming December are accepted in the month of October, spring and summer vacation scheme applications can be submitted between 1st October and 16th January.

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