Ashurst

Overview

Ashurst is a leading global law firm with a 200+ year heritage, operating an integrated international platform across its legal, risk advisory and NewLaw (Ashurst Advance) capabilities. The firm positions itself on industry-focused, multidisciplinary teams across six core industries and delivers high-profile cross-border transactions, energy transition and digital economy work. Ashurst emphasises innovation and technology (including a global rollout of the generative AI tool Harvey and a growing Ashurst Advance & Consulting division), a strong commitment to pro bono and responsible business, and a hybrid, globally-mobile career model that enables secondments and international transfers.

• Headquarters: London
• Founded: 1822
• Lawyers: 1,900
• Partners: 500+
• Trainees: 38
• Offices: 32
• Revenue: £1.034 billion

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Corporate & M&A
• Banking & Finance
• Capital Markets
• Energy & Natural Resources
• Infrastructure & Projects
• Real Estate
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Technology & Digital
• Financial Services & Regulation
• Investment Funds
• Private Equity & Venture Capital
• ESG & Sustainability
• Tax
• Insolvency & Restructuring
• Employment
• Intellectual Property
• International Arbitration
• Regulatory & Compliance
• Transport & Logistics
• Construction & Engineering

Geographic Focus: Ashurst operates an integrated global network with key strength in the UK and Australia, a growing presence across Asia (Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo), the Middle East (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Riyadh), continental Europe (Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Brussels, Dublin) and expanding coverage in Africa (Casablanca launch 2025) and Pacific markets (Jakarta, Port Moresby). The firm focuses on major financial and project hubs and delivers cross-juris

Training Contract

Ashurst offers a 24 month Training Contract with seat-based rotations across practice areas. The firm requires completion of the full 24 months at Ashurst to be eligible for NQ positions. Trainees follow structured learning via Ashurst Academy (Activate/Accelerate/Ascend/Apex), receive on-the-job coaching and supervisor feedback, and are encouraged to take international and client secondments where appropriate. The firm moved to SQE for future joiners from September 2023 and sponsors the SQE route with an approved course provider.

• Starting Salary: £57,000
• NQ Salary: £140,000
• Trainee Intake: 38
• Qualification Rate: 84%
• Academic Requirements: Minimum degree requirement: 2:1. No minimum A-Level requirement. The firm accepts non-law graduates and considers mitigating circumstances in applications.
• Application Deadline: 27 March 2026

Sponsorship

PGDL grant: £12,000. SQE grant: £20,000. The firm sponsors SQE study for future joiners and offers study support for approved further education (retrospective LPC fees are not reimbursed).

SQE Support

The firm's course provider for PGDL and SQE is University of Law (ULaw). Ashurst sponsors the SQE route for future joiners, provides study support and edits to ensure readiness for exams. Specific financial support includes an SQE grant of £20,000 (see sponsorship field).

International Opportunities

Ashurst provides short-term international assignments, overseas client secondments, long-term assignments and permanent international transfers across its global network; chances of a secondment abroad are published at 23%.

Client Secondments

Client secondments are part of the mobility programme and the published chance of a client secondment is 14%.

Mentorship

Trainees receive multiple mentoring and coaching relationships including supervisor feedback, formal mentoring, and 1:1 coaching via Ashurst Academy. The firm emphasises ongoing supervisor feedback and mentoring and operates trainee networks and peer support mechanisms.

Apply on the Ashurst website →

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What Ashurst Looks For

Key Competencies

• Commercial awareness
• Analytical ability
• Excellent communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Motivation and resilience
• Adaptability and openness to technology/innovation
• International outlook and cultural awareness

Evidence Signals

• Commercial internships, corporate or finance experience
• International experience or languages
• Demonstrable interest in technology/AI or digital projects
• Pro bono or volunteering experience
• Clerkship, vacation scheme or virtual internship completion
• Examples of teamwork under pressure and clear STAR-structured behavioural examples

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Trainee salary Year 1: £57,000
• Trainee salary Year 2: £62,000
• Newly qualified (NQ) salary: £140,000
• PGDL grant: £12,000
• SQE grant: £20,000
• Hybrid working model (office/home/client/location flexibility)
• FamilyCare policy: 26 weeks fully paid parental leave for eligible staff (irrespective of gender identity, includes adoption, surrogacy, foster and kinship care) and support on return to work
• Free access to Headspace (wellbeing app)
• Workplace Adjustments Passports for disability support
• Memberships: Australian Network on Disability and UK Business Disability Forum
• Mental Health First Aid trained network
• Reimbursement of travel expenses to interviews (up to £150)
• Access to Ashurst Academy learning and development programmes
• Significant pro bono programme and volunteering opportunities (recorded 76,000+ pro bono hours in FY25)

Wellbeing

Mindful Business Charter signatory; access to Headspace; mindfulness and wellbeing experts; network of people trained in mental health first aid; Workplace Adjustments Passports; training for leaders on disability inclusion.

Awards & Recognition

• Surpassed £1 billion revenue (FY25) – Annual Business Report 2025
• FT Innovative Lawyers Awards Asia-Pacific: Most Innovative Law Firm Headquartered Outside Asia Pacific (2025)
• FT Innovative Lawyers Asia-Pacific: Innovation in Responsible Business - First Nations pro bono team recognised (2025)
• Won Innovation in Strategic Direction at FT Innovative Lawyers Awards Asia-Pacific (2026)
• Legal 500: 17 Tier 1 practice area rankings (site listings)
• Chambers & Partners: multiple ranked practice areas (listed across 20 departments)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Target for partnership composition: 40% women, 40% men and 20% flexible by 2026. Signatory to the Mindful Business Charter. Memberships include Australian Network on Disability and UK Business Disability Forum. The firm commits to evidence-based SBTi carbon reduction targets (net-zero science-based target by 2050).

• Spectrum network (LGBTI+ network and allies)
• Gender Affirmation Policy
• Global Anti-Racism Hub
• Reconciliation Action Plan (Australia)
• Workplace Adjustments Passports
• FamilyCare policy
• Social Impact programme and volunteering
• IDB Action Plan with six key strands: Caring Responsibilities, Disability & Wellbeing, Gender Equality, LGBTI+ Inclusion, Multiculturalism, Social Inclusion & Mobility
• Participation in Australian Workplace Equality Index

Pro Bono

Recorded over 76,000 hours of pro bono work in FY25 (16% increase year on year). Dedicated First Nations pro bono team recognised at industry awards. Social Impact programme focuses on professional non-legal skills volunteering and community partnerships.

Innovation

Ashurst pursues an explicit digital and innovation agenda combining legal expertise with technology and consulting. The firm rolled out Harvey (a generative AI tool) globally to its people and also deploys M365 Copilot and advanced e-discovery/contract tools. The Ashurst Advance team delivers automation, digital collaboration and alternative delivery models; Risk Advisory integrates consulting capability with legal advice. Innovation is recognised through FT Innovative Lawyers awards and is embedded in training and client service delivery.

• Harvey (generative AI) global rollout to all people
• M365 Copilot deployment
• Relativity Contract, Reveal AI and Relativity aiR
• Ashurst Advance (NewLaw / technology & delivery team)
• Ashurst Risk Advisory (legal-led consulting and risk consulting)
• Transition Plan Assessment Tool (sustainability reporting tool)
• Powering Change Series (sustainability thought leadership)

Quick Application Angles

• Reference Ashurst's FY25 strategic priorities in your application: mention 'outpace change' and specific interest in the firm's industry focus (eg. energy transition or digital assets) to show alignment with firm strategy.
• Demonstrate commercial awareness using a recent Ashurst matter (for example the Oxford Quantum Circuit investment or Bluefield Solar transactions) and explain the legal issues you would expect to arise.
• Highlight tech and innovation interest—Ashurst rolled out Harvey (generative AI) globally and scores highly for legal tech; describe any hands-on experience with AI, automation or legal technology projects.
• Show evidence of international adaptability (study/secondment/work abroad or languages) — Ashurst prioritises global mobility and has active secondment opportunities across Asia, Middle East, Europe and Australia.
• Use STAR examples that show teamwork, client focus and resilience; the firm emphasises peer support and structured mentoring, so highlight experiences where you delivered outcomes with coaching or as part of a multidisciplinary team.