United States

U.S. law students

Are you looking for new challenges and the chance to start your career at the world’s most innovative law firm?

A person laughing with a colleague as they go over papers in an office together
AdobeStock_295308879

2027 2L Summer Associate Program

Find out more about our 2027 Summer Associate Program

Apply here

1L opportunities

AN UNPRECEDENTED COMBINATION

Creating unparalleled opportunities

A&O Shearman is the result of combining two of the world’s most prestigious law firms into a single industry-leading firm, preeminent in all legal markets throughout the globe. Our 4,000 lawyers collaborate across 28 countries on six continents.

Our global reach, diversity of practice groups and people, caliber of clients, commitment to innovation and uniquely people-centered culture afford our summer associates opportunities not available at any other firm.

 

The summer program experience

Work and mentorship

Training, professional development and feedback

Culture and values

Events

Work and mentorship

Our summer program for 1L and 2L law students allows summer associates to work on cutting-edge work alongside a diverse group of partners and associates. Summer associates in our New York office will participate in our RotationPlus system. Summer associates will participate in two five-week practice group rotations. Each summer associate will be paired with a partner and associate mentor within the practice group who will help summer associates integrate into the firm both professionally and socially –  and will be the summer associate’s primary means of work within the practice group. Summer associates can expect to have multiple substantive and social touchpoints with their partner and associate mentors each week.

The firm will host a Pre-Summer Orientation program in early 2026 where incoming summer associates will have the opportunity to learn more about and hear from each of the firm’s practice groups. Rotation assignments are based on each summer associate’s practice group rankings, which they will indicate during the onboarding process following Pre-Summer Orientation. To provide flexibility in exploring practice group interests and customization of the summer associate experience, the Law School Recruitment team will maintain a centralized assignment database that will enable summer associates to explore work outside of their two assigned practice groups. In our RotationPlus system, summer associates are getting the best of both worlds: the support, guidance, structure, and unmatched mentorship inherent to a rotation system – and the flexibility and customization of a centralized assignment system. 

For specialty practice groups and offices outside of New York and Washington, summer associates will work primarily with their practice group of hire, but have access to work in other groups through the centralized assignment system (with mentor approval). 

Get in touch

Ready to discuss your career?

Colleagues smiling and shaking hands

Our team are on hand to discuss the opportunities we have on offer.

Contact us
Young professionals in conversation at work

What to expect longer term

Inclusion, community and belonging

Mentoring, training and development

Real-time feedback

Inclusion, community and belonging

By embracing and celebrating differences, we foster an inclusive environment where you can feel comfortable and confident.

Your unique perspective, attributes and experiences are valued at A&O Shearman. Our differences help to shape and inform the best collaborative solutions, foster rich and rewarding work environments and fulfilling working relationships, and provide valuable learning opportunities. Every day, we work to create an environment where everyone feels they can bring their authentic selves to work, and inclusion is a global priority. We have a huge range of characteristics, backgrounds, perspectives, and generations represented at A&O Shearman. Whether there are differences in gender, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, neurodiversity, socio-economic background, generation or any other difference, we embrace these and the intersections among them.

We code inclusion into our culture:
  • Our code of conduct promotes dignity, respect, and doing the right thing with integrity.
  • We foster relationships based on trust, respect, and inclusivity.
  • We encourage collaboration and value diverse perspectives.
We promote a sense of community:
  • Our wide range of affinity networks are open to all and welcome individuals from all backgrounds. We’re proud that they not only support the communities they represent, but also provide opportunities for everyone to learn more about those communities and share in enriching events that give insights into each other’s experiences.
  • Global events and communication series encourage inclusivity, and international offices often collaborate on events, for example, Pride.
We provide training, education and resources, including:
  • Global and local training to increase awareness, support, and allyship.
  • Programs that support individuals at different career and life stages.
  • Parental coaching and support for expanding families.
U.S. early careers