I applied online. The process took 3 months. I interviewed at A&O Shearman (London, England) in Mar 2015
Interview
Case study interview with a group of 6 to 7 other students on a mock commercial law scenario. The interview tests commercial awareness, presentation skills and teamwork skills. A HK partner and HR manager will sit in the next door room watching the group discussion via a video cam. After the group discussion, there is a group presentation to the partner and HR manager following which there is a QnA session on the case study which anyone in the group can answer.
The first stage of the application, alongside the online form, involves video interview with unlimited time to prepare and 2 minutes to answer question. No retakes available. Also involved a critical thinking test.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
When have you faced a difficult problem and how did you solve it?
I applied online. I interviewed at A&O Shearman (London, England) in Oct 2025
Interview
Very challenging. Case study interview with in depth commercial questions, followed by a written exercise and then an HR interview. Questions around the SPA, very client-focused. HR interview was competency based.
I had my interview online. The interview consists of three main parts: a case study, questions on the experiences of the candidate, and a written test. The atmosphere was good.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Follow-up questions on the case study on things not given in the documents, mainly testing your commercial awareness.