Ashurst | training contract | vacation scheme

• Ashurst

  With a history of over 200 years, Ashurst LLP is a law firm with more than 400 partners and 1700 lawyers in 14 countries across 24 offices, as well as an associated office in Jakarta, and a best-friend referral relationship with an Indian law firm.  They serve clients on diverse cross border transaction issues while helping them build and protect businesses internationally. 

  Some of its clients are: Goldman Sachs, Royal Bank of Scotland, Apax, Westfield, National Express and Balfour Beatty. Initially known as Ashurst Morris Crisp, the firm converted into a limited liability partnership (LLP) in 2007 and was renamed Ashurst LLP.

  The firm has received a lot of public recognition through awards such as the  'Innovation in Dispute Resolution' at the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards 2010, 'Law Firm of the Year for Banking and Finance' at the Juve Awards 2010 and. ‘Real Estate Team of the Year' at the Legal Business Awards 2011 and at The Lawyer Awards 2010.

• • Off the Record

  • Focus

  • Requirements

  • Training Contract

  • Vacation Scheme

  • Rewards

  • Apply

  The firm has developed into a well-established City law firm by employing the right work ethic and approach. The firm encourages camaraderie, teamwork, self-initiative, reasoning and working towards converting every opportunity successfully. With an average of ten lawyers being promoted in 2009 and 2010 and 12 in 2011, career prospects for top performers at Ashurst are bright.

  Salaries are on a par with other leading city law firms. Ashurst believes in maintaining a relaxing, cheerful and friendly atmosphere for clients and employees and conducts various off-hour activities such as picnics, get-togethers and team sports, resulting in a cohesive group of people, irrespective of seniority or designation.

  The Corporate and International Finance departments are the ‘star attractions’ as well as being the busiest and most pressure-filled!

  The firm's legal practice covers a variety of areas including:: (i) capital markets; (ii) competition and EU law; (iii) construction; (iv) corporate, (v) dispute resolution;  (vi) employment, incentives and pensions;  (vii) finance;  (viii) investment funds; (ix) PFI / PPP; (x) project finance;  (xi) real estate; (xii) regulatory; (xiii) restructuring and special situations and (xiv) tax

  A 2:1 degree (earned or expected) in any discipline is the minimum requirement to apply for vacation schemes and training contracts. All trainee solicitors should complete the LPC. Non-law trainees should complete the GDL as well.

  The firm looks for high academic achievers since they are required to manage complex cases and transactions for a global, multinational clientele.

  Excellent communication, a common sense approach, analytical reasoning and knowledge of current events and trends, commercial awareness and a macro perspective are essential, in order to advise colleagues and clients on legal, technical and commercial issues. A good sense of humour is a plus!

  The training contract starts with a two-week PSC and induction programme, consisting of an introduction to the firm, lawyers, partners, trainees and various other departments.

  The training contract is split into four seats of six months’ duration. Seats in International Finance and another transactional department are compulsory, while the other seats are as per trainee choice, availability and the practice area likely to be taken up post qualification.

  Each seat is completed under the supervision of either a senior solicitor or a partner. A trainee is expected to participate actively in the tasks assigned by the supervisor and understand the working of each of the seats, meet clients, carry out research, attend team meetings, etc.. Areas of improvement are identified at a formal performance appraisal at the end of each seat, while informal reviews are carried out through the six-month period.

  Individual seat appraisal reports are used to conduct a formal assessment at the end of the year. This is conducted by the Graduate Recruitment and Development Team, along with a member of the trainee solicitors committee. Other training during the training contract includes workshops, group discussions, lectures and working on hypothetical or actual case studies.

  For more information on the Ashurst Graduate Scheme, further details are available via this link.

  Visit their facebook page to get the inside story on life as a trainee, www.facebook.com/AshurstTrainees

  Easter Vacation Placement

  A two-week programme for non-law students and graduates from all disciplines is conducted during the Easter vacation in April.

  Summer Vacation Placement

  Two batches of a three-week programme open to penultimate year law students are conducted in the summer vacation between June and August each year.

  In both placement schemes, trainees spend one week each in a specific department or practice area, under the close guidance and supervision of a solicitor. Apart from this ‘live’ work experience, trainees attend formal training sessions comprised of lectures, workshops, visits to the courts and for the summer trainees, a trip to one of Ashurst’s European offices.

  Trainees are also encouraged to meet and interact with a wide variety of solicitors and other personnel in the firm during informal gatherings. In particular, attendees are required to spend time with the current batch of trainee solicitors, to gain a perspective on completing a training contract at Ashurst in the future.

  Visit their facebook page to get the inside story on life as a trainee, www.facebook.com/AshurstTrainees

  Salaries for trainees in the first year are currently pegged at £38,000 and £43,000 in the second year. Newly-qualified (NQ) solicitors start at £61,000.  Students attending vacation placement schemes receive a weekly allowance of £275, during the course of the placement.

  Annual benefits include: (a) 25-day vacation (27 days post qualification); (b) annual health checks and private medical care; (c) sports club membership at subsidised rates; (d) interest-free season ticket loan; (e) subsidised food; (f) dental, medical and physical check-ups conducted in-house; (g) a concierge service; (h) childcare vouchers and discount offers on retail products; and (i) optional inclusion in a group life assurance scheme.

  GDL and LPC course fees are covered in full and a bursary of £6,500 is also advanced. Trainees who obtain a first class in their degree exam, after acceptance of the training contract will receive an award of £500 for each achievement.

  All applications for vacations schemes and training contracts should be completed online at http://www.cvmailuk.com/ASHURST/begin.cfm.

  Applications for vacation schemes can be submitted between 1 Novemberr and 31 January each year. Training contract applications can be submitted 1 March and 31 July by law students and from 1 November to 31 March by non-law students.

  All queries and clarifications about graduate recruitment should be directed to the Graduate Recruitment and Development Team, gradrec@ashurst.com or by telephone at 0207 638 1111.

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