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Contents

Why Ashurst? 1

Work and locations 2

People and culture 10

Your career 16

Who we need 20

How to apply 22

Not all law firms are the same. Here at Ashurst we have a strong entrepreneurial culture; we are neither so rigid nor so institutional that individualism cannot flourish. We are a truly international firm, with 25 offices and two associated offices across Europe, the US, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia. Working at Ashurst will allow you to encounter a wide range of challenges, to get close to different types of business and to experience different cultures.

We expect a great deal from our trainee lawyers. You need more than a sharp commercial awareness and burning ambition to practise law here. We look for natural leaders who will quickly become respected figures in their field. So if you like the idea of inspiring colleagues and clients, personally as well as through your work, then carry on reading. You can also learn more at www.ashurst.com/trainees

We welcome natural leaders and give them the support and opportunity to quickly become respected figures in their field.

Ashurst is a premier global law firm, with

premium clients, premium work and outstanding people.

Why Ashurst?

1

1,700lawyers worldwide

Work and locations

Melbourne196

Perth120

Canberra34 349

7

Brisbane129

Port Moresby15

Stockholm34

Frankfurt90

Jakarta31

Shanghai7

Tokyo24

Beijing6

39Hong Kong

Singapore40

Adelaide

Sydney

Dubai15Abu Dhabi

6Jeddah

1

38Milan

19Rome

Munich25

Brussels22

76Paris

63Madrid

London615

New York38

11Washington D.C.

14countries

25 offices

3,600people worldwide

Number of lawyers by location

2

As we continue to grow globally, we aim to give our premier clients the advice they need, where they need it.

Internationalism is part of the fabric of our organisation. We give clients the advice they need, where they need it, and our trainees are encouraged to undertake seats in one of Ashurst’s international offices. Our lawyers have to be willing to travel, and savvy to the ever-changing legislation of different jurisdictions.

Cross-border deals also mean the opportunity to collaborate with other recognised experts around the world. But across the firm, you will find the same engaging culture wherever you are based, and if you’re interested in developing your linguistic skills, we offer language tuition bursaries.

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Welcome to the City

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Life in the CityThe City. The name conjures up images of swanky offices, pinstriped suits and rush hour traffic. Yet there’s much more to this small patch of Central London than meets the eye. As anyone at Ashurst will tell you, a stone’s throw from the office lies a world of shopping, leisure and recreation just waiting to be discovered.

The Square Mile is home to many of London’s hottest bars and clubs. The bar in the nearby Exchange Square is a favourite with Ashurst employees for after-work drinks, while buzzing Shoreditch is only a short walk away. At lunchtime, head down to Spitalfields market for a quick bite and a browse before burning off any excess calories at one of several fitness centres in the vicinity. For those after something heartier, the City offers a world-class selection of restaurants and cafes to suit every taste; more intrepid diners may prefer to venture out for a vindaloo on Brick Lane.

As an Ashurst employee, you can take advantage of discounts and offers at a number of businesses throughout the City and Greater London. With your Tastecard you can enjoy reductions at a huge variety of restaurants in the capital, while free membership of Xexec gives you discounts at major supermarkets and other top retailers. Lunch breaks need never be the same again.

It’s the taking part that countsAt Ashurst, we have a work hard, play hard philosophy, so if you expect to spend your evenings and lunch breaks with your feet up then think again. Taking part in one of the firm’s many clubs and societies is a great way to stay active, keep up with your favourite hobby and make new friends. For sports fanatics, there are opportunities to represent the firm at everything, from rugby to running, and from field hockey to five-a-side football. Alternatively, you can challenge yourself with something a little more intellectual by learning Italian or Mandarin, or by testing your taste buds with Ashurst’s very own Wine Society.

The firm also runs a number of employee networks including the Christian Group, the Women’s Network, the Multicultural Network and Spectrum – the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Network. Joining a group gives you the chance to attend regular talks and to mingle with like-minded people.

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Corporate, commercial and competition We are internationally recognised for the quality of our global corporate practices. We advise companies, financial institutions and private equity houses on a variety of complex transactions, and we provide ongoing corporate advice. In addition to our public and private M&A capability, our expertise extends to advising clients on private equity, equity capital markets, prime brokerage, corporate derivatives, the establishment of investment funds, financial regulatory, competition law, commercial contracts and tax.

Disputes, intellectual property, employment and technology Our global dispute resolution practice resolves large-scale, high-value disputes. We advise on general commercial, finance and regulatory, competition and EU law, real estate, and energy, transport and infrastructure disputes, in addition to product liability and arbitration.

We have considerable expertise in alternative dispute resolution and regularly undertake mediation, expert determination, adjudication and other neutral evaluation.

Our international employment practice advises on cross-border assignments for multinational employers across a diverse range of areas, from high-level boardroom appointments and departures to industrial relations. Our incentives lawyers provide expertise on issues relating to cash and equity remuneration, and our pensions team advises industry practitioners on all aspects of current pensions law and practice.

Practice areas

Corporate, commercial and competition

London Corporate

Dispute resolution

Competition

Employment, incentives and pensions

Energy, resources and infrastructure

Securities and derivatives

Tax

Technology

Real estate

Restructuring

Banking

London

London

London

London

Global

Global

Global

Global

27%

19%

35%

40%

73%

81%

65%

60%

Disputes, intellectual property, employment and technology

Energy, resources, real estate, infrastructure and transport

Finance

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The IP and technology teams have expertise in intellectual property, information technology and related regulatory regimes such as data protection, freedom of information, gaming and healthcare. Our clients include businesses ranging from IT, financial services and pharmaceuticals and life sciences through to entertainment and world-famous hotel brands

Energy, resources, real estate, infrastructure and transportAshurst is widely recognised for its expertise in the oil and gas, mining, utilities, real estate, transport and infrastructure industries. We offer a full service to both private and public sector clients on a wide range of ground-breaking and high-profile transactions – from energy and resources projects in Asia, Australia and the Middle East to essential infrastructure development in Europe and Africa. Our lawyers cover a variety of work, including: project finance, project development, M&A and secondary markets.

The firm’s real estate practice is award winning, and incorporates: construction, general and planning teams. Our real estate clients include: developers, investors, lenders and borrowers, owners and occupiers, public bodies, construction companies, leisure providers and retailers.

FinanceAshurst has a substantial banking and securities capability across Europe, Asia, the US, the Middle East and Australasia. Our finance department is one of the fastest growing departments in the firm and is among an elite group of market-leading practices in the areas of banking, securities and derivatives, and real estate finance.

We work closely with our corporate, private equity, real estate and project finance practices, supporting our clients on some of the most innovative corporate and commercial transactions in today’s market.

The firm’s restructuring and special situations group handles complex and challenging work on insolvencies and debt restructuring.

Corporate social responsibility and pro bonoCorporate social responsibility (CSR) at Ashurst encompasses our pro bono, community involvement, place to work and environmental initiatives. Our programme is managed by the CSR Committee, chaired by our senior partner.

We are passionate about using our skills and resources to support projects and initiatives where we believe we can make a real difference. Our lawyers help us to achieve this by providing their time, expertise and experience in any number of different ways, ranging from the provision of pro bono legal advice to charitable fundraising.

Pro bono is a key focus of our programme because as lawyers we regard pro bono legal work as an integral part of our professional responsibility. Our primary motivation is to increase access to justice by providing legal advice which would otherwise be unavailable to the causes we support.

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The ShardAshurst’s expertise in the real estate sector led to the firm acting for the developers of the Shard and the London Bridge Quarter. The Shard is the tallest building in Western Europe and a significant landmark on the London skyline. A key role for Ashurst was advising on the suite of agreements between the developer, Transport for London, Network Rail and London Underground Ltd, which enabled the developer to construct a new bus station at London Bridge while ensuring the continued operation of the existing (and very busy) bus station, underground and overground railway stations.

The firm first became involved in the project in 2006 and continues to advise the developer and its investors as the Shard moves from the development stage to being a fully let investment. The team has recently been advising on the package of letting documents which will be used on lettings across the London Bridge Quarter.

Ashurst’s work on the development of the Shard and the London Bridge Quarter has been led by partners from the real estate and tax practices who were assisted by employees from trainee level upwards.

You can hear more about Ashurst’s role on the London Bridge Quarter development and the contribution to the

As a trainee at Ashurst you will meet clients, write letters, draft agreements and take ownership of parts of transactions at a very early stage. Here we’ve highlighted some recent projects to give you an insight into some of the work that we do.

Deal highlights

bus station project by a trainee in the real estate team by visiting www.ashurst.com/trainees. The film will not only give you a better idea of the work trainees might undertake and the challenges they face but will also help you decide whether you have what it takes.

William HillAshurst’s corporate team acted for William Hill, one of the world’s leading betting and gaming companies, on the £485m acquisition of Sportingbet. The acquisition was part of a joint bid with GVC, and required the firm to oversee the £424m acquisition of Playtech’s stake in its online joint venture, William Hill Online, and to put together a strategy for the funding of the deals.

Ashurst was tasked with devising a structure to separate the Sportingbet businesses, enabling William Hill to acquire only the regulated assets, and to satisfy its lending banks that it would not be tainted by non-licensed activities or liabilities. Sportingbet comprised two very distinct businesses. The first was a highly profitable, licensed Australian business and other licensed activities in markets such as Spain; the second was a European and emerging markets business which was much less profitable and heavily impacted by evolving regulation. The ability to extract and acquire the locally licensed

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businesses offered a key opportunity in William Hill’s strategy to diversify its product and geographic offering.

The Ashurst team successfully planned, co-ordinated and managed a process that involved two separate acquisitions across multiple jurisdictions. The firm also put together a debt and equity funding strategy as well as clearance applications from national gambling regulators. The team had to adhere to a strict timetable and worked together to manage the various processes without any element of the deal jeopardising the success of the others.

Ashurst was able to marshal a powerful and effective team across the globe, delivering what William Hill’s financial adviser described as “real ‘sleeves-up’, complex and intense execution excellence … the Ashurst team as a whole did a stunning job.” As acknowledged by William Hill themselves, these were yet more transformational deals on which Ashurst has worked on behalf of the company over the past four years, underpinning a very successful relationship.

Intercity Express Ashurst advised the funders to the Agility Trains consortium on the successful £2.5bn financing of the first phase of the Intercity Express Programme (IEP), which included the manufacture of 57 new high-speed trains and three maintenance depots. The project reached financial close in July 2012.

The funders comprised: JBIC, EIB, BTMU, Lloyds Banking Group, Mizuho, HSBC, SMBC, Mitsubishi Trust Bank and the Development Bank of Japan, with NEXI providing loan insurance for a proportion of the cover.

The IEP debt was split between an EIB structured finance facility, a direct loan from Japanese government agency JBIC of £1bn and a £1bn commercial bank loan. The financing package involved a large and diverse group of funders and Ashurst was tasked with finding solutions that not only worked between the borrower and the lenders but also worked between the lenders themselves in order to bring the project to a successful close.

IEP marked a number of firsts for the UK PPP market, including being the first rolling stock PPP to reach financial close.

Bringing the IEP project to financial close at a time of such uncertainty in the long-term debt market presented a sizeable challenge. Many banks at the time were suffering severe liquidity constraints and credit committees were adopting ever more cautious approaches to risk.

The Ashurst team was able to adapt to this challenging environment and the combination of the team’s sector and finance expertise was pivotal in developing a platform for a project that will be integral to the development of the UK rail network. The project also resulted in the construction of a new manufacturing plant in the north of England, providing a significant boost to the UK manufacturing industry.

SantanderThe firm was instructed in Spain by Banco Santander’s UCITS management company to file a claim for a refund of part of a tax that had been applied to dividends received by Spanish UCITS in various jurisdictions.

UCITS (Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) are investment funds that have been established in accordance with the UCITS Directive (adopted in 1985). Once registered in one EU country, a UCITS fund can be freely marketed across the EU.

The firm advised Santander on its claims in France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. The Spanish UCITS were subject in each of these jurisdictions to a withholding tax on dividends that was either not applicable to or, in effect, refunded by way of a credit system to domestic UCITS. The firm claimed that these withholdings, entailed discrimination, and therefore an infringement of European law. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) accepted that the UCITS’ claims were valid and agreed that there had been an infringement of European law.

Ashurst’s Madrid office led the team, which also included lawyers from the firm’s Paris, Milan and Frankfurt offices. The Madrid office co-ordinated the approach of each jurisdiction ensuring a consistent level of advice for Santander on a cross-jurisdictional basis. Each case had to be initially filed at an administrative level in each jurisdiction and then escalated through the respective court system of each country. In Spain, Italy and France this resulted in the courts referring a question of EU law to the ECJ. Germany also had to enforce another judgment from the ECJ and the Netherlands referred the case to its second stage national court.

The case set a number of precedents for European law. It was the very first time the ECJ had found discrimination to exist with regard to withholding tax on dividends paid to UCITS. It was also the first time the ECJ had been asked to accept such a claim by a non-EU fund and therefore the wider implications of this decision on third country claims are potentially very far-reaching.

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Our cultureTrust and early responsibility are at the heart of our culture. From day one our lawyers are encouraged to take ownership of the transactions, clients and business development responsibilities that they are involved in. That ownership means that our lawyers genuinely want to succeed in everything they do.

In the transactions-based environment in which we work, teamwork is crucial for success in obtaining the best results for our clients. Every team requires people with varying skills and our trainees are immediately aware that everyone who works at Ashurst is an essential part of the team.

This respect for others and appreciation for the roles we all perform when working together makes us an open and supportive place to work. If you’re looking for an easy ride then Ashurst isn’t for you. In striving for exceptional results we ask a lot of ourselves – which can mean working long hours under the pressure of tight deadlines – but life here is certainly rewarding.

At Ashurst you’ll find colleagues who you will quickly call friends and a working environment that will transform you from a talented trainee into one of the leading figures in your field.

Diversity Diverse organisations are more creative, more innovative and ultimately more successful. Ashurst has an instinctively inclusive culture but, like many professional service organisations, is acutely aware of the need to do more to address the lack of progress of our most talented women. We are implementing a comprehensive strategy to improve our performance in this regard and take the time to promote a range of other diversity-related initiatives to retain and develop all of our talented staff. Our LGBT, Women’s and Multicultural networks hold regular events inside and outside the firm and raise awareness of the rich variety of backgrounds, faiths and cultures represented at the firm. We mark International Women’s Day with a programme of events and celebrate Black History Month each year. We developed our ‘Access Ashurst’ work experience scheme to meet the social mobility aims of the PRIME initiative, and are signatories to the Law Society’s Diversity and Inclusion Charter. We are members of Working Families, Stonewall and the Business Disability Forum and work in partnership with organisations such as Rare Recruitment, OPEN (which encourages students with disabilities to consider careers in City law) and Blind in Business.

People and culture

210

The films at www.ashurst.com/trainees

will give you a good insight into the firm.

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It was a mixture of things that attracted me to Ashurst: having studied and worked abroad, the international focus of the firm was a big selling point. I also liked the fact that the people working here are drawn from a range of backgrounds and have come into law through lots of different routes.

My second seat was in the securities and derivatives group (SDG). Much of the work of a trainee there involves reviewing and assisting with the drafting of offering circulars and other transaction documents, which are used to issue financial products and are sent out to investors on behalf of clients. These financial products are often extremely technical and part of the task is to make sure that they can be easily understood by investors. Risk is a big factor for investors so you are also expected to be up to date with the financial markets and aware of any potential issues.

The highlight of my training so far has definitely been my three-month secondment at Barclays Bank where I worked alongside the structured products team. When you’re working in-house nobody cares that you’re a trainee; the legal teams are very small so you are expected to stand on your own two feet and make a real contribution. It was a steep learning curve but I gained a huge amount out of the experience.

Having completed my first year of training, I am now heading off to the Dubai office for my next seat and really looking forward to it.

Fatin IbrahimSeat: Securities and derivatives group, Finance Studied: Law at The University of Leeds

Trainee profiles

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The international secondments are a fantastic opportunity. Coming to an international office for my third seat has allowed me to work on some of the most exciting areas of corporate law, including M&As and IPOs. A definite highlight was attending negotiation meetings on an M&A deal and working on an IPO launch, not to mention helping to close an oil and gas transaction during the first week of my secondment.

How would I describe my colleagues? In one word, helpful. We have a really good support system among our trainees, so if I’m snowed under someone will help me out and I’ll get to leave a bit earlier than I would have done otherwise. On a firmwide level, anyone from partner to support staff will find time to answer any questions you might have.

The firm allows you to be yourself and play to your strengths. The training you’re given before you start – getting to know the firm as a whole and its IT systems – gives you a great confidence boost before you go to your first seat. After that there are lots of wide-ranging training sessions, some compulsory, some optional, so you get to see all sides of the firm and can gain more experience that way too.

You really feel like you’re making a valuable contribution here. Trainees are an essential part of the business, which means a lot of early responsibility: you have to take ownership of things. It’s rewarding knowing that your work is appreciated.

Adrian Cheung Seat: Corporate, Hong KongStudied: Law at Cambridge University

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The international nature of the firm was definitely a pull for me. We visited the Paris office on my placement scheme here – somewhere I would really like to do a secondment. I speak a little French but Ashurst also offers language classes if you want to go on a secondment abroad.

The level of responsibility is fantastic. My training so far has been split between the banking, ERRI and corporate departments. This has allowed me to work on a wide variety of projects, from loan facilities to waste projects to cash confirmations. I have found the work extremely interesting and challenging, particularly as the projects have tested me in lots of different ways. I have attended many client meetings, helped prepare pitches and, most importantly, felt like a valued member of the team. I really enjoy the transactional and fast-paced nature of the work.

My most challenging experience so far? I was working on a large waste project in the ERRI department, on both the finance and the project side of the transaction. I was given a significant amount of responsibility and liaised directly with the clients. It was a big challenge, and a steep learning curve, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Ashurst is a very sociable firm. There are regular drinks events and celebrations, and plenty of committees to get involved with too. I’m on the Trainee CSR Committee, where we support initiatives such as reading with children in local primary schools. CSR is important to Ashurst and it’s important to me – I like to feel like I’m giving something back.

I love the buzz of being a City lawyer. I have friends who work in the City too, so I often meet up with them after work. The London office is in a great location, and being close to Spitalfields and Shoreditch there are lots of good places to eat out.

Emma Sandall Seat: CorporateStudied: Law at King’s College London

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“I have found the work extremely interesting and challenging, particularly

as the projects have tested me in lots of

different ways.”

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Placement schemesThe best way to learn about what it’s really like to work at Ashurst is to join one of our placement schemes. We hold three each year:

• A two-week scheme during the spring for non-law and law finalists, graduates and career changers;• Two three-week summer schemes, for penultimate year law undergraduates.

During our placement schemes you can expect an intensive look at the work we do and how we operate. The schemes are organised in partnership with a committee of trainees: having been in your shoes not so long ago, they know how best to introduce you to the firm.

You will spend each week in a different department, being supervised by a qualified solicitor and getting involved in real work. There will also be a number of workshops to give you an insight into our practice areas, team-building events and a case study based on the firm’s work for the developers of the Shard. On our summer placements you get the chance to gain a fuller understanding of how our international network operates with a visit to our Paris office.

But it’s not all work: we are just as interested in your ability to build relationships, so there will be several social events where you get to meet our associates and current trainees, as well as everyone else on the scheme.

Scholarships and awardsWe offer scholarships for the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and Legal Practice Course (LPC) covering course fees and £6,500 towards the cost of maintenance. We also offer a £2,000 interest-free loan, repayable in instalments once you start your training contract.

We will award a prize of £500 if you achieve a first-class honours degree having accepted our offer of a training contract and we offer a £500 bursary towards language tuition.

2014 dates Spring placement scheme 31 March – 11 April

Summer placement scheme 1 23 June – 11 July

Summer placement scheme 2 21 July – 8 August

We offer a subsistence allowance of £300 per week towards your expenses.

You will need to apply for our schemes between 1 November 2013 and 30 January 2014. Bear in mind that we offer places throughout this period, so the earlier you submit your application, the better. Find out more about our schemes and complete the application form at www.ashurst.com/trainees

You can also email queries to gradrec@ashurst.com or call Emma Young, Graduate Recruitment and Development Manager, on +44 (0)20 7638 1111.

The Legal Practice CourseOur LPC+ course is unique to Ashurst and is delivered by The University of Law, Europe’s largest and the UK’s longest-established specialist provider of legal education and training.

Before you get your teeth into the LPC, you will receive a comprehensive induction run jointly by the firm and The University of Law. This is designed to help you get to know your intake of fellow trainees, as well as the firm. The LPC course content has been carefully designed to ensure that you are best prepared to start as a trainee at Ashurst.

Your career

60candidates undertake a placement scheme each year

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Having studied Chinese at university I wanted to work for a firm with a growing presence in Asia. I was also looking for the best possible work experience and, further down the line, the best possible training.

I undertook a placement scheme at Ashurst to learn more about what working for a corporate law firm was really like, and to experience some of the tasks that trainees do on a daily basis.

I spent a week in corporate and a week in dispute resolution. My work included analysing a Takeover Code clause, drafting a letter advising a client on a point of law, and doing a company search report.

We were also given various group activities to complete, such as a presentation which we had just one evening to prepare for. That was quite stressful, but we pulled together as a team and had some really positive feedback.

There were plenty of social events too. The partners’ dinner and trainee drinks were a great way of meeting people in an informal setting and I felt comfortable asking questions. We also played the infamous ‘Ashopoly’, getting

our photos taken at famous landmarks around the City. I learnt that Ashurst is a firm that respects individuality, and while the work is taken very seriously, everyone has a sense of humour too.

I joined Ashurst as a trainee in March 2013 and am now in my first seat in planning, which sits within the firm’s ERRI practice. I have really enjoyed the variety of assisting with different projects and having a wide range of assignments to work on. In my first few months alone I have conducted research for major public projects, attended negotiation meetings for a huge regeneration scheme and drafted parts of a Section 106 Agreement. I’ve also had the chance to work with the firm’s corporate and real estate practices on due diligence tasks.

Starting at the firm as a trainee has been exciting and at times nerve-racking, but the support I’ve had has been amazing. I’ve been made to feel part of the team from day one.

Ally Thomson Seat: Planning team, ERRIStudied: Chinese Studies at The University of Nottingham

“I was looking for the best possible work

experience and, further down the line, the best

possible training.”

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The training contract During the first two weeks of your training contract we’ll give you a comprehensive induction to the firm. This will help you get to grips with our departments in detail as well as our IT systems, library and other resources. You will also begin the Professional Skills Course and skills training that will continue throughout the next two years and beyond qualification.

You will complete four seats of six months, each of which will be planned in collaboration with you. You will also be encouraged to join an overseas office or go on secondment to one of our most valued clients. Each seat starts with its own induction course, complete with short guides and checklists so you know exactly what to expect. You will also meet the supervising partner or associate who will work with you and provide guidance. Your supervisor will encourage you to work closely with others in their practice in order for you to gain the broadest experience possible.

Your supervisor will review your progress during and at the end of your seat, helping you to pinpoint successes and areas where more development is required.

Once you’ve qualified As a newly qualified lawyer you will have an excellent grounding in the departments where you have sat, as well as a budding reputation for interpreting complex legal matters accurately. You will have the ability to make decisions confidently and advise accordingly. And you’ll be able to build strong, trusting relationships with clients.

However, you will still be far from the finished article. The added responsibility of being a qualified lawyer will certainly help you as you progress, but our emphasis on training doesn’t stop there. We will continue to help you develop your expertise with a full education programme, combined with a range of soft-skills courses such as delegation and presentation.

You will also continue to receive a broad range of work post-qualification, because we feel it’s important not to over-specialise too soon. In short, there is a wealth of support and opportunity here so that you can make the most of your potential before, during and after your training contract.

SecondmentsWe actively encourage our trainees to take overseas secondments; an international perspective is essential for all of our lawyers. To allow you to focus on the job in hand, we take care of the practical aspects of the move, such as relocation and accommodation, and give you any language or cultural training you might need. Trainees are currently on secondment in our Paris, Madrid, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo offices. There is also an opportunity for a secondment to one of our Australian offices.

A number of our trainees go on secondment to one of our clients. They all come back with a valuable understanding of how another organisation operates, how its working environment can differ, and how lawyers are instructed. Of course, that’s in addition to the exceptional business relationship skills they develop after putting them into practice five days a week.

Salary and benefits We pay you £38,000 in your first year as a trainee and £43,000 in your second year. We review salaries annually. You will also be entitled to 25 days’ annual holiday.

The firm offers a flexible benefits package which includes the option to choose an interest-free loan for your season ticket, health, dental and travel insurance, life assurance and income protection insurance, pension scheme, subsidised gym membership, reduced cost Zipcar membership and an employee advice line.

You will also have access to subsidised or free lifestyle perks such as in-house consultation and treatment with a GP, dentist and physio, an on-site mortgage advice service, a dry-cleaning collection and delivery service and sports and social activities.

Trainees who qualify at the firm have the option to take up to six weeks of qualification leave.

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David MilnerQualified into: Dispute resolution Studied: English Language and Literature at Oxford University

“Following the firm’s combination with

Blake Dawson we have become a truly global

firm.”

The international nature of the firm was a big draw for me, and following the firm’s combination with Blake Dawson – one of Australia’s largest law firms – we have become a truly global firm. I spent my second seat in the finance department of the Paris office. Working on a claim in the Lehman Brothers insolvency was definitely the biggest challenge I experienced. This involved liaising with lawyers in New York and Japan to work out a deal for our client.

My secondment was quite nerve-racking at times, but it was always enjoyable and has proved great preparation for moving to the firm’s dispute resolution practice as a newly qualified lawyer this year. The NQ training here has been a great help in bringing us up to speed in terms of how to handle expert witnesses and trial bundles.

I wanted to qualify into dispute resolution because the work is so varied and challenging. Since joining the department I have worked intensively on a large piece of litigation in the High Court arising from a warranty claim which was listed by The Lawyer as one of the top ten cases of 2013. For me, the sense of operating on the front line of where the law ‘happens’ is very exciting.

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Ashurst is a special firm, emerging as one of a key group of premier law firms operating globally. The behaviours and competencies that make our lawyers the very best are the same qualities we look for throughout the recruitment process. Our trainees are rewarded by an atmosphere that is supportive, nurturing and enjoyable.

Ours is a high pressure, demanding environment. We are looking for people who will thrive in these surroundings and have the drive to succeed. There will be late nights where you’ll be facing tight deadlines and you will need to be totally committed to delivering for your clients, and for the firm as a whole. Commercial awareness is essential, as is a strong analytical mind-set, and you will need to offer a range of approaches to problem-solving.

Who we needYou must also have the confidence to express yourself on paper, within teams, and to a boardroom of your peers. We take academic achievement seriously, which is why you will need to be on track for a strong 2:1 (or equivalent) in your undergraduate degree and have attained at least an AAB or equivalent at A level. Ashurst will support you in the final classroom hurdles as we sponsor the Graduate Diploma in Law (where applicable) and the Legal Practice Course before you join. Once you’re here, you’ll enjoy second-to-none training, supportive colleagues, as well as the encouragement to spread your wings and work in our overseas offices.

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40trainees per year 400partners

worldwide

Analytical abilityThe work undertaken by commercial lawyers involves problem solving for our clients. You will be able to demonstrate that you can extract key points from complex information. You will also have the ability and confidence to think for yourself.

Motivation, determination and driveThis firm has a client focus and this means that our work for them and your career overall will demand a lot of your time and energy. You will need to be driven and resilient to succeed.

Team and interpersonal skillsYou will join a supportive and team-based environment and so need to be able to demonstrate that you can play your part. Interpersonal skills are essential in building and maintaining relationships not only in the firm, but with our clients.

Communication skillsBeing able to communicate clearly, especially in writing, is an essential skill for lawyers.

FlexibilityThe firm must adapt quickly to changes in the marketplace and to the needs of its clients and so a flexible attitude is key.

It is a source of real pleasure to see the next generation of lawyers join the firm and start their individual journeys to develop into exceptional lawyers. Their enthusiasm, spirit, drive and determination to succeed are hugely inspiring.

The training here is an incredible opportunity and, in return for that investment of energy, we are happy to invest a great deal of time and effort in providing the very best training and support.

These are the competencies and behaviours we look for and that make our lawyers special.

Commercial instinct An interest in commercial and financial matters is key to understanding our clients’ business needs.

Helen BurtonGraduate recruitment partner

Studied: Law at Newcastle University

David JonesTraining principal, partner

Studied: Law at the University of Exeter

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How to applyPenultimate year law students

OCT 13 onwards Research and meet firms on campus

NOV 13 – JAN 14Apply for a summer placement scheme and attend an interview; or

JUN 14 – JUL 14 Apply directly for a training contract

SUMMER 2014 Attend a summer placement scheme

JUL 14 – AUG 14Training contract interviews (both for those who have completed a placement scheme and those who haven’t)

SEPT 14We will be in touch to let you know the outcome of your training contract interview

SEPT 15 Start Ashurst LPC+ at The University of Law, Moorgate

SEPT 16 or MAR 17 Start your training contract

All finalists and graduates

OCT 13 onwards Research and, if possible, meet firms on campus

NOV 13 – JAN 14 Apply for a spring placement scheme; or

NOV 13 – JUL 14 Apply directly for a training contract*

MAR 14 – APR 14 Attend spring placement scheme

NOV 13 – AUG 14Training contract interviews (both for those who have completed a placement scheme and those who haven’t)

SEPT 14 Start GDL at any branch of The University of Law

SEPT 15 Start Ashurst LPC+ at The University of Law, Moorgate

SEPT 16 or MAR 17 Start your training contract

* we interview on a rolling basis and early application is recommended

Penultimate year law students

OCT 13 onwards Research and meet firms on campus

NOV 13 – JAN 14Apply for a summer placement scheme and attend an interview; or

JUN 14 – JUL 14 Apply directly for a training contract

SUMMER 2014 Attend a summer placement scheme

JUL 14 – AUG 14Training contract interviews (both for those who have completed a placement scheme and those who haven’t)

SEPT 14We will be in touch to let you know the outcome of your training contract interview

SEPT 15 Start Ashurst LPC+ at The University of Law, Moorgate

SEPT 16 or MAR 17 Start your training contract

All finalists and graduates

OCT 13 onwards Research and, if possible, meet firms on campus

NOV 13 – JAN 14 Apply for a spring placement scheme; or

NOV 13 – JUL 14 Apply directly for a training contract*

MAR 14 – APR 14 Attend spring placement scheme

NOV 13 – AUG 14Training contract interviews (both for those who have completed a placement scheme and those who haven’t)

SEPT 14 Start GDL at any branch of The University of Law

SEPT 15 Start Ashurst LPC+ at The University of Law, Moorgate

SEPT 16 or MAR 17 Start your training contract

* we interview on a rolling basis and early application is recommended

You will have numerous opportunities to shine before you qualify, from placement schemes to interviews and, of course, during the training contract itself. The timeline to the left is designed to help you work out the route that best fits your circumstances.

We also spend time on campus throughout the academic year: see our events listing at www.ashurst.com/trainees or www.facebook.com/AshurstTrainees for your nearest event.

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The online formYou will find our online application form for both placement schemes and training contracts at www.ashurst.com/trainees

In addition to our campus events, we run monthly career sessions at our London offices which are open to all. Please see our website at www.ashurst.com/trainees to reserve a place.

Applications for 2014 placement schemes open on 1 November 2013 and close on 31 January 2014.

Applications for training contracts beginning in September 2016 or March 2017 open on 1 November 2013 and close on 31 July 2014.

The interviewIf you are invited to an interview, you will first be asked to complete a written case study exercise to test your analytical ability, commercial instinct and written communication skills. You will then have two interviews: the first with a member of our graduate recruitment team, and the second with two partners from our graduate recruitment committee. The interviews will test the behaviours associated with the key competencies we are looking for.

You’ll also be given a tour of our offices by one of our current trainees. We will reimburse reasonable travel expenses, but if you are coming from overseas, we’ll ask you to check with us before planning your trip.

After you have acceptedIf you are applying for a training contract, you probably won’t be starting here for two years. But we want you to feel part of the firm straight away. That’s why we will be in regular contact with you, invite you to various social functions and monitor your progress at law school. When you do eventually sit down at your desk, we promise you’ll feel very much at home.

The offerIf we offer you a training contract and you are in two minds about accepting, you can come back for another visit to meet more people. This will help you make sure that we are the right choice for you.

Graduate recruitment teamClockwise from the top:

Emma Young, Amelia Scott,

Clare Carr.

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Application hints and tips

1. Make an honest assessment of your strengths and weaknesses

Then compare that list with the competencies in the ‘Who we need’ section on page 21. Do they match? If they don’t, have a good long think about whether this is really what you want to do.

2. Our application form is in covering letter format

You should address it as a letter to Helen Burton, graduate recruitment partner. We don’t ask specific questions on the competencies we’re looking for, but that isn’t because we don’t want to know that you have those competencies. We just prefer to give you the space to tell us about them in your own words.

3. This format also tests your ability to write clearly

Try not to make your application either overly wordy and formal or over-familiar. We will be most impressed if you explain yourself simply and clearly with the use of evidence.

4. Don’t make mistakes Lawyers are meticulous and accurate, and if your

application form isn’t, then you’re unlikely to be invited to interview.

5. Please fill in all of the form For example, we ask for module marks for each year

(including the first) of undergraduate and postgraduate study. For undergraduate study at universities which do not have formal assessments at the end of each year, please include informal marks.

6. Tell us why you want to be a lawyer and why Ashurst

If you’ve got as far as applying, we assume you have researched this thoroughly. Making fewer applications will give you the time to make better, well-researched ones. This will ensure that they are suitably tailored to the firms that meet your criteria.

7. The covering letter format gives you the opportunity to shape your interview

Make sure you include your qualities and examples of achievements. Your interviewers use your form as a basis for the interview and are likely to ask you about the things you have highlighted.

8. Use your work experience to full effect It doesn’t matter whether your work experience is in

a legal or non-legal role. Put it in and tell us what you learned from it.

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Ashurst at a glance

400partners worldwide

40trainees per year

14countries

25 offices

3,600people worldwide

60placement scheme places per year

1,700lawyers worldwide

25

Offices

Abu Dhabi

Adelaide

Beijing

Brisbane

Brussels

Canberra

Dubai

Frankfurt

Hong Kong

Jakarta (associated office)

Jeddah (associated office)

London Broadwalk House

5 Appold Street

London EC2A 2HA

Tel: +44 (0)20 7638 1111

Fax: +44 (0)20 7638 1112

Madrid

Melbourne

Milan

Munich

New York

Paris

Perth

Port Moresby

Rome

Shanghai

Singapore

Stockholm

Sydney

Tokyo

Washington D.C.

gradrec@ashurst.com

www.ashurst.com/trainees

www.facebook.com/AshurstTrainees

www.youtube.com/AshurstTrainees

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