Mergers and Acquisitions at Ashurst | Career Guide

Ashurst is widely regarded for handling large, cross-border corporate transactions and for strong sector focus in energy & resources, infrastructure, real estate, and financial services. The M&A team typically works on both public and private deals and advises corporations, private equity houses and financial institutions.

The team's strengths include international coordination on multi-jurisdictional transactions and pragmatic commercial advice suited to clients in capital-intensive sectors. Publications such as IFLR, Chambers Global and Legal 500 regularly cover the firm's work; use those outlets, together with Ashurst's own client alerts, to track the team's current profile.

Practical takeaways

• Monitor market commentary from IFLR and Chambers Student to see how Ashurst's M&A work is described.

• Read transaction briefings on the Ashurst website and recent Financial Times coverage to build up up-to-date commercial awareness specific to the firm.

What you are likely to do in the team depends on deal type and seat. M&A at Ashurst spans:

• Cross-border acquisitions and disposals including share and asset deals.

• Private equity buyouts and exits, including sponsor-backed transactions.

• Public M&A (takeovers and schemes of arrangement) and related regulatory work.

• Joint ventures, corporate reorganisations and carve-outs.

M&A matters demand a mix of skills: due diligence, transactional documentation (sale and purchase agreements, warranties, escrow, tax protections), negotiating commercial terms, and coordinating with tax, finance, regulatory and competition colleagues.

Example task list you might undertake as a junior lawyer

• Drafting and redlining provisions in SPA clauses relating to completion mechanics and warranties.

• Managing diligence packages and summarising disclosure issues for senior lawyers and clients.

• Liaising with overseas counsel on foreign law aspects and performing cross-border project management.

• Preparing disclosure schedules and shareholder circulars in public M&A matters.

Practical strategy

• Learn the structure of an SPA and common protective provisions (completion mechanics, covenants, indemnities).

• Build a checklist for due diligence requests so you can efficiently coordinate information collection on live matters.

Ashurst recruits trainees who rotate through seats, often including a corporate/M&A seat. Training contracts offer the chance to learn technical drafting, client management and project management skills in a transactional environment.

Key learning routes

• On-the-job training within M&A seats, supported by supervising associates and partners.

• Formal internal courses on drafting, tax basics, competition law and negotiation skills.

• Secondments to client legal teams or other jurisdictions, which are common in international transactions to build commercial insight and project experience.

What to seek out as a trainee

• Exposure to the whole deal lifecycle on at least one live transaction: from initial bid or approach through to completion and post-completion integration.

• Feedback sessions after drafting assignments and negotiations - request concrete examples of improvement points.

• Mentoring and assessment: identify a partner and an associate who can give structured career feedback.

How to make the most of training opportunities

• Volunteer for the parts of deals that involve coordination and client contact (eg progress calls, status reports) to build reputation for reliability.

• Keep a personal learning log with examples of drafting improvements, negotiation lessons and commercial insights to discuss at reviews.

• If offered a secondment, weigh the opportunity to gain sector knowledge and client relationships highly; those can accelerate post-qualification career steps.

M&A teams at international firms like Ashurst are fast-paced and client-focused. Expectations include high responsiveness, accuracy in drafting and an ability to manage multiple deadlines.

Culture and working patterns

• Expect busy periods around deal closings; time management and prioritisation are essential.

• Larger deals involve long hours but also structured teams where responsibilities are clearly delegated.

• Team culture can vary by office; London M&A teams are typically multidisciplinary and highly international.

Progression pathway

• Progression normally moves from trainee to associate to senior associate and partner. Demonstrable commercial judgment, deal origination support, client relationships and supervisory capability underpin promotion.

International exposure

• Many Ashurst M&A matters are cross-border; you will often work with overseas teams and counsel.

• Secondments to international offices or to client companies are common ways to develop a global practice.

Practical tip

• Build relationships with tax and finance colleagues early; commercial transactions frequently require cross-discipline planning, and good internal networks improve deal delivery.

To secure a training contract or later-stage role with Ashurst M&A, you must demonstrate technical competence, commercial awareness and fit with the team's working style.

Before applying

• Track the firm's recent M&A deals via Ashurst's website, Financial Times and IFLR. Prepare notes on two deals and what the key commercial and legal issues were.

• Build a basic toolkit: understanding of SPA structure, disclosure processes, difference between share and asset sales, and the commercial drivers for choice of completion mechanics.

CV and application form

• Give concise examples of teamwork, attention to detail and commercial awareness. Use numbers when possible (eg 'Assisted a team of 5 to prepare a 200‑item due diligence schedule for an acquisition').

• Highlight any experience with corporate transactions, client-facing roles, or commercial internships.

Assessment centre and interview tips

1. Prepare STAR examples for competency questions such as handling pressure, resolving conflicts, and managing competing deadlines.

2. Expect technical scenario questions: you may be asked to suggest steps to protect a buyer in a quick sale or to identify the key diligence areas for a target in regulated sectors.

3. Demonstrate commercial awareness: explain how market forces (eg interest rate rises, sector consolidation) affect deal pricing and structure.

Sample interview question and concise approach

• Question: 'How would you approach diligence for an acquisition of a UK renewable energy company?'

• Answer approach: Outline key diligence streams (title, contracts, regulatory consents, environmental, employee liabilities), prioritise high-risk items, propose interim protections (escrow, conditionality), and suggest engagement with specialist counsel for environmental/regulatory matters.

Practical preparation strategies

• Use mock interviews with a mentor or qualified solicitor. YourLegalLadder, Chambers Student and LawCareers.Net offer mentoring and interview practice resources.

• Maintain a deal-watch file with five recent Ashurst deals and three sector trends that could affect those clients - refer to those in interviews to show specificity and initiative.

Curate reliable resources to build knowledge and track vacancies:

• YourLegalLadder: Use the application tracker, firm profiles and mentoring services to prepare targeted applications.

• Chambers Student and Legal 500: Practice rankings and commentary on firm strengths.

• IFLR and Financial Times: Transaction reports and sector analysis.

• LawCareers.Net and Ashurst careers pages: Current vacancies, recruitment timelines and assessment centre guidance.

Action plan for the next 3 months

1. Read and summarise three recent Ashurst M&A deal briefings and note the commercial/legal issues.

2. Draft one SPA clause (eg warranties or completion mechanics) and ask a mentor to review it.

3. Complete at least two mock competency interviews, focusing on delivering concise STAR answers and on articulating deal-specific commercial awareness.

Final note

Securing an M&A seat at Ashurst combines technical preparation with sector-focused commercial insight and demonstrable reliability on deals. Regular, structured preparation and targeted use of resources will make your application and interview performance stand out.