Ashurst is a leading international law firm with world class capability and a prestigious global client base. We have 29 offices in 17 countries and offer the reach and insight of a global network, combined with the knowledge and understanding of local markets. With 400 partners and a further 1,600 lawyers working across 11 different time zones, we are able to respond to clients wherever and whenever required. As a global team, we have a reputation for successfully managing large and complex multi-jurisdictional transactions, disputes and projects and delivering outstanding outcomes for clients.

Our in-depth understanding of our clients and commitment to providing exceptional standards of service has seen it become a trusted adviser to local and global corporates, financial institutions and governments on all areas of commercial law. Our people are our greatest asset and we bring together lawyers of the highest calibre with the technical knowledge, industry experience and regional know-how to provide the incisive advice clients need.

Our vision is to be the most progressive global law firm. For us, "progressive" is a mindset, an approach to how we do things. We instinctively take a fresh perspective on situations, exploring whether there are better ways of delivering practical, commercial solutions to the challenges our clients face in today's rapidly changing business landscape. To help us achieve our vision, we recently announced our 2023 Strategic Plan ("Plan"). Our Plan provides us with a framework so that we can hold ourselves accountable for our ongoing success. It unites us globally and enables us to work together towards the same goals, with a clearly aligned view on the firm's priorities and purpose: Together, we create the extraordinary.

A Training Contract as Ashurst allows you to be part of a collaborative, respectful and inclusive work environment and interact with some of the most agile and incisive thinkers in the legal and business sector.  Join us and you'll work alongside dynamic and committed professionals, tackle interesting challenges and have the satisfaction of knowing that you have helped clients and communities around the world achieve their goals. 

Through a blended approach to learning you will know what we expect from you from day one.  Our training programme has been designed to support you fully on your journey allowing you the opportunity to take responsibility and produce the quality of work our clients expect, they will help you perform to the best of your ability and become our leaders and trusted advisors of tomorrow.  

You will spend four seats of six months each within our different legal divisions.  You will have at least one seat within Global Loans or Global Markets and another within a Transactional department. You will also have the opportunity to apply for a six month overseas or client secondment. 

All our trainees attend the University of Law. If you haven’t yet completed a law degree, you will study for the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), before moving on to the Legal Practice Course, which is unique to Ashurst.    Trainees joining  us from 2024 may follow the new SQE route to qualification. This will include attending preparation courses with University of Law in advance of your start date to ensure you are fully supported through SQE1 and SQE2 before joining us for 24 months to complete your qualifying work experience.  Confirmation on the route to qualification will be discussed at offer stage.

 

The best way to understand what it feels like to work here is to actually work here. Every year we hold two vacation schemes a three week summer scheme for final-year students and graduates of all degree disciplines, as well as penultimate year law students and a one week scheme in the winter each designed to give you an intensive experience of our culture and the kind of work we do. We work hard to make sure they're as useful and as stimulating as possible in fact, we organise the schemes along with a committee of trainees who have been where you’ve been and know the best way to introduce you to the firm.  

On the winter scheme you'll spend one week in one practice area and on the summer scheme which is three weeks long you'll experience two practice areas. Most students choose to sit in our corporate team, one of our finance teams such as Global Markets or Global Loans or our disputes team. However you can ask to sit in any of our practice areas.

You'll learn about our specialist areas by attending workshops. There's also a chance to get involved in team building events to experience the way we work together and social events to get to know our associates and current trainees away from the bustle of daily life.

We offer a Legal Apprenticeship for those looking for an alternative to university. The Ashurst Solicitor Apprenticeship is designed to help school leavers kick-start their career as a solicitor with a structured learning programme Alongside studying part-time along with the University of Law one day a week, The apprentices spend the first four years of the scheme in their primary department, before joining the trainee rotation in the last two years. Early applications are recommended as we interview from April.

Our Training Contract salary for Year 1 is £47,000 and £52,000 for year 2. 

 

Private medical insurance (provided by Ashurst), life assurance (provided by Ashurst),  income protection (provided by Ashurst),  pension (including contribution from Ashurst),  season ticket loan (interest free), dental insurance, ISA savings account, wine club, technology purchase plan, holiday purchase, travel insurance, reduced rate gym membership, childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, give as you earn, onsite services including doctor, dentist, physiotherapist and masseuse.  25 days holiday (plus bank holidays), staff restaurant.  An interest free loan of £2,000 is available to all future joiners which is repayable in instalments once you start your Training Contract.

2:1 in your degree.