Allen & Overy

At A&O we recognise that choosing the right career is a big decision.  There will be lots of questions you need to ask yourself:  What type of law do I want to practice?  What type of firm would suit me best?  What will the work really be like? We think the best way to answer these questions is to get first-hand experience of life in a law firm and that's exactly what our vacation placements offer.

Each year we offer 100 vacancies across our three programmes - winter, spring and summer.  In each of our placements you will assist your trainer - a partner or an associate - on real deals and sit in two different departments (one during the shorter winter and spring programmes).  We will ask you in advance which area interests you most.

Alongside your day-to-day work in the departments, you will join with fellow vacation students on a client pitch project designed to sharpen your research skills and expose you to our broad range of practice areas.  In addition, our workshops, practice area presentations and other talks are designed to inform you about recent deals and the role of a commercial lawyer.  They will also help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful commercial lawyer, including how to negotiate and present.

During your placement there will also be plenty of time to socialise with other Allen & Overy people.  We'll pair you up with a "buddy" - a current trainee who will be able to answer your questions, offer you advice and generally help you feel at home during your time with us.  Informal drinks with your department, lunches with your buddy and social events organised by the Graduate Recruitment team are just some of the opportunities you will have to get to know us during your placement.

Winter
Our five day winter vacation programme is for final year undergraduates, graduates and career-changers from any degree discipline.  This year's programme will run from 15 – 19 December and the placement is now full.  Applications for next year's winter programme will be available from October 2009.

Spring
Our Spring vacation programme runs for ten days during the Easter vacation period.  It's for penultimate year undergraduates (and second years on a four-year course featuring a third year abroad) from any degree discipline, and may suit if you have a busy summer planned or want to get some legal work experience at a different time of the year.

The next Spring vacation programme will be held from 30 March - 8 April 2009 and we will be accepting applications from 1 October 2008 – 16 January 2009.  Interviews will be held in January and February 2009.

Summer
Our three week summer vacation programme is also for penultimate year undergraduates (and second years on a four-year course featuring a third year abroad) from any degree discipline.

The 2009 summer vacation placements will be held on the following dates:
Monday 15 June - Friday 3 July; Monday 6 July - Friday 24 July; Monday 27 July - Friday 14 August.

You can apply from 1 October 2008 – 16 January 2009 and interviews will be held in January and February 2009.
To find out more about how to get on to these programmes, click on our selection process.

International Internships
As part of our Spring and summer programmes, 12 vacation students will have the opportunity to spend a week in one of four international offices.  Our international internships take place following completion of a three week summer placement in London or, for Spring students, during the summer.

Individuals interested in the international internships can only apply if they accept a place on one of the London placements.  The selection process includes a short application form and an interview (via video conference) with a partner from the international office.  We will be sending students to one of four Allen & Overy offices in 2009: Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong and New York.  To read about the experiences of our Summer 2008 International students please click here.