Ashurst

Training environment

A training contract at Ashurst will move your mind beyond technical knowledge of the law. Ultimately, we want to help you become a thought leader with a reputation for clear, perceptive and influential advice – a professional in whom clients can place their trust.

Training contract structure

A thorough induction kicks off your training contract, introducing you to all the resources you’ll need to support your work and training.

In collaboration with you, we plan four seats of six months, and review that plan at regular intervals. Each seat starts with a handover and training, complete with technical expertise, so you know exactly what to expect. At least one seat will be in either our banking or securities and derivatives practice areas, and most trainees choose to do at least one other transactional seat. There’s a wealth of options to consider and we will also encourage you to undertake a secondment to one of our growing offices or to a valued client.

You’ll be supervised by a partner or associate who’ll work closely with you and provide guidance, reviewing your progress as you go along and helping you to pinpoint your successes and develop in areas that need work. Equally, there’s a great deal to be learned from the others you work with in the practice area. And at every step, we’ll make sure you feel involved not just in the effort behind our successes but the exhilaration that follows them too.

Training Contract (2025/2026 intakes) deadline: 31 March 2023, £50,000 starting salary

A training contract at Ashurst will move your mind beyond technical knowledge of the law. Ultimately, we want to help you become a thought leader with a reputation for clear, perceptive and influential advice – a professional in whom governments and leading businesses the world over can place their trust.

You’ll need to become a shrewd negotiator, have an ability to read both balance sheets and behaviours, and become a commercial strategist with a deep understanding of specific industries.

Our training contract will start you on that road. We will plan closely with you four seats of six months each, that will broaden your world view and hone your talents. At least one seat will be in a finance practice and another within a transactional department. You will also have the opportunity to apply for an overseas or client secondment.

Winter Vacation Scheme (5  – 9 December 2022) deadline: 7 October 2022, £450 per week

We have a one week winter vacation scheme which is open those who are in their final year of university and those who have already graduated from all degree disciplines.

During the winter vacation scheme attendees will experience life in one specific practice area at Ashurst under supervision of a solicitor. You’ll learn about our specialist areas by attending workshops and other sessions. There are also several social events to get to know our partners, associates and current trainees away from the bustle of daily life. 

You will get the chance to interview for a Training Contract once the scheme has finished later in December or January.

Summer Vacation Scheme (26 June – 14 July 2023) deadline: 6 January 2023, £450 per week

We have one three-week summer vacation scheme which is open to finalist and graduates of all degree disciplines, as well as penultimate year law students.

During the vacation scheme, attendees will experience two specific departments or practice areas, under the close guidance and supervision of a solicitor. Apart from this ‘live’ work experience, there are formal training sessions comprised of lectures, workshops, and plenty of networking opportunities and socials.

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

What Is The Solicitor Apprenticeship?

Our solicitor apprenticeship offers an alternative (and exciting!) route to becoming a qualified lawyer in England & Wales outside of our training contract.

It is designed to help school leavers kick-start their career as a solicitor with a structured learning programme. Alongside studying part-time with The University of Law one day a week, you will gain hands-on experience of a wide range of legal work.

• The level 7 solicitor apprenticeship lasts 5½–6 years and incorporates an LLB (Hons) degree and Solicitor Qualifying Exams.
• This route allows you to enter the workplace at an earlier stage and avoid student debt.
• The assessment for the apprenticeship comprises coursework, exams and a portfolio of evidence to show you have met the competency framework for a junior lawyer.
• The firm pays all of your study fees.

How to Apply?

Applications for our 2023 solicitor apprenticeship intake will open on Monday 3rd October 2022 an. You will be able apply via the early careers section of our website: https://www.ashurst.com/en/careers/students-and-graduates/uk/apprenticeship/ when the role becomes live.

Applications will shut on Friday 17th February 2023 for a September 2023 start.