Fresh blow for trainees as A&O shuts up shop early
Related images
Prospects for aspiring trainees have taken a turn for the worse with Allen & Overy (A&O) becoming the latest firm to close its applications before the traditional July deadline.
A&O, like most major firms, would have ordinarily recruited law undergraduates this September for training contracts due to start in September 2011 and March 2012.
This year A&O expects to fill vacancies through the combination of non-law students who have already accepted offers, future trainees who apply to defer, and offers made to summer vacation students.
A&O is also only planning to hire around 105 trainees a year from September 2011 - a drop from the 120 it currently recruits across its September and March intakes.
Meanwhile, Clifford Chance and Linklaters are reviewing training contract vacancies after both asked trainees to push back their start dates.
A Linklaters’ spokesperson said: “The numbers we look to hire this year for the 2011-12 intake are still under review, but we would anticipate there being a limited reduction, at least to accommodate the effect of the deferrals.”
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is also reviewing vacancy numbers, though it is the only magic circle firm not to have deferred future joiners.
View results 10 per page | 20 per page | 50 per page
Readers' comments (40)
Bap | 18-May-2009 1:25 pm
So is the suggestion here that virtually no law graduates will be freshly recruited as people on the GDL and deferring trainees have filled the spaces? If it is then A&O should be ashamed of themselves.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Metallica | 18-May-2009 2:02 pm
Ermmm, if it is then why should A&O be ashamed of themselves?
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 18-May-2009 3:50 pm
Bap - I hope you are not a trainee as your reasoning leaves a lot to be desired of it. A&O are protecting their business from any detrimental effects they MAY encounter over the next 2 years. They are ensuring continuation for the existing graduates that have already got contracts for 2011-12 as well as the unfortunates who had to defer their start dates. I say hats off to A&O for their forward thinking and taking action early to ensure all interested parties know exactly where they stand.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 18-May-2009 4:04 pm
Anonymous @ 3:50 pm, just pointing out that nobody has yet 'had' to defer at A&O.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 18-May-2009 4:49 pm
"virtually no law graduates"
False. There are about 30 future law graduates on the VP scheme including me, and most will be applying for places.
In fact, is it too much to hope the law students on the vacation scheme will be more likely to be offered places to ensure the regular distribution of law/non-law?
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Bap | 18-May-2009 5:26 pm
They didn't open recruitment to law graduates and have now closed their recruitment altogether, leaving law graduates discriminated against. I suppose though it's a detriment to being a lawyer to have a law degree, we should have all done Basket Weaving instead.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 18-May-2009 5:49 pm
And A&O have publicly announced that there will be no forced deferrals - they are inviting volunteers, but people are free not to volunteer. I agree, the firm's taking preventative action. And a smaller intake is actually better for those who do get in - their chances of retention on qualification are much better.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 19-May-2009 4:31 am
I agree. Whats there to be ashamed of? Unless Bap is contending that law firms have a moral duty to provide employment to law school graduates regardless of their business model? are we a communist state now?
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Metallica | 19-May-2009 10:08 am
Bap - what are you on about? Of course A&O opened recruitment to law grads. It's no detriment to have a law degree when trying to be a lawyer. Competition is tough and A&O have filled their vacancies already. Unfortunate state of the market.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Kindred | 19-May-2009 12:09 pm
The end of this article is incorrect - Freshfields is not the only magic circle firm yet to defer trainees. Slaughters haven't done this either.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment