Allen & Overy is one of the two magic circle law firms that have chosen to enter the Australian market. They have been around for over 80 years and have a huge global footprint by becoming one of the largest and most prestigious law firms in the world, with 44 offices across the globe and over 5,500 employees. Despite its global reach, A&O has a muted presence in Australia, with offices only in Sydney and Perth, where we assume the work is the most profitable. Generally, it is known for its work in banking and finance, corporate law, and dispute resolution.

A&O prides itself on providing excellent legal services and delivering top-notch work. Its global branding also helps pull in large clients, and some of these include Australia’s finest resources companies – FMG, Santos, BHP. The firm’s work in these industries has earned it a solid reputation for high-quality work, and it continues to be a strong player in this area.

The firm generally has a very supportive and open culture that encourages collaboration and teamwork. The firm (both globally, and domestically) has a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, and has been seen to have shown a strong commitment to creating an environment where everyone can thrive, regardless of their background or identity.

A&O also offers a range of benefits and perks to its employees. The firm provides the top-end of market pay, free gym membership, regular social events, and an employee assistance program. Because A&O is fully integrated to its global network of offices, we’ve heard that international secondments are frequent and easy and there you will frequently cross-collaborate with your overseas colleagues when working on matters.

Training and support is emphasised here and the firm invests heavily in its people. The structure at A&O is relatively flay, so you will always get great access to partners and senior associates to learn from. Sometimes, training seminars are run out of the UK or HK, so if you are lucky enough, you might even get a chance to do a nice overseas trip.  

You’ll work hard at A&O, with 8-11 hours touted to be an average day. Despite this, we all know that long working hours are common in the legal profession and at the very least, Allen & Overy tries to remunerate you for that.

In summary, Allen & Overy is a top-notch legal firm that offers international experience, high-quality work, and good compensation and perks to its employees. If you are looking to work for a global legal firm that offers excellent opportunities for career advancement and potentially more chances to go overseas, then Allen & Overy could be a choice to consider.