Commercial Law
Ashurst Application Guide
An elite international firm built on energy, infrastructure and project finance, now merging with Perkins Coie to go transatlantic. Every stage of the process, the questions Ashurst actually asks, and the prep that gets candidates through, in one place.
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The firm
About Ashurst
The business today
Ashurst is an elite international law firm structured as a global partnership. Unlike a listed company it has no corporate balance sheet or proprietary trading arm; its revenue comes entirely from fees billed for advisory, transactional and contentious work. The model runs on billable hours, leverage (the ratio of associates to equity partners) and profitability, acting for corporate giants, financial institutions, sovereign funds and governments on cross-border deals and regulatory disputes.
Historically a member of the UK Silver Circle, Ashurst expanded globally through its 2012 merger with the premier Australian firm Blake Dawson. In early 2026 partners voted overwhelmingly to merge with the US tech-and-litigation firm Perkins Coie, creating Ashurst Perkins Coie, a top-20 global firm with combined revenue approaching £2 billion and a footprint of 32 offices across EMEA, APAC and the Americas. The combination positions the firm to compete more directly with transatlantic and Magic Circle rivals.
For the year to 30 April 2026, legacy Ashurst reported record revenue of £1.152 billion (up 11% year on year) and profit per equity partner of £1.592 million (up 15%), a tenth consecutive year of growth driven by the Middle East (up 33%), the US (up 18%) and a 21% surge in UK disputes, investigations and advisory work. Six core sectors generate over 85% of global revenue: Banking, Energy, Infrastructure, Private Capital, Real Estate and Technology, with an aggressive push into the energy transition through gigawatt-scale renewables, carbon capture and green hydrogen.
The firm sits at the forefront of NewLaw through Ashurst Advance (legal operations, alternative delivery and AI) and Ashurst Risk Advisory (a non-legal consultancy on compliance and operational risk), and has rolled out Harvey AI across all 32 offices, reporting 50% year-on-year growth in tech-enabled delivery. It is led by Global CEO Paul Jenkins (based between London and Sydney) and Global Chair Karen Davies (London). Trainees describe the culture as collegiate, collaborative and less hierarchical than the Magic Circle, shaped by the Australian integration, though peak deal cycles still demand long hours.
Why people apply to Ashurst
The main trade-offs are pay and deal mix. Ashurst's London NQ salary has risen to £140,000, but that still sits below the top US firms in London (£170,000 to £180,000) that dominate high-yield debt and mega-cap private equity, often on 2,000-plus billable-hour tracks. In pure corporate M&A, Ashurst excels in the mid-to-upper-tier but does not win FTSE 100 takeover mandates at the volume of Slaughter and May or Freshfields, so trainees should expect a mix of mid-market transactions alongside their cross-border project work.
Candidates are drawn to Ashurst for genuine global leadership in energy and infrastructure. The firm regularly structures complex project financings and public-private partnerships worldwide, so trainees work on tangible assets such as offshore wind farms, transport networks and digital infrastructure rather than abstract paperwork.
A second pull is innovation. Unlike firms that treat legal tech as an afterthought, Ashurst embeds its NewLaw division, Ashurst Advance, directly into trainee rotations, so trainees learn generative AI, automation and legal project management and pick up marketable operational skills early.
The third is the dual-axis trainee experience. The integration between the London market and Asia-Pacific gives international workflow cross-pollination and structured secondment opportunities to offices like Sydney, Melbourne and Singapore.
Divisions inside Ashurst's Commercial Law
Corporate Transactions
Day-to-day
Public and private M&A, private equity, venture capital, equity capital markets and general corporate advisory, weighted to energy transition, infrastructure, digital assets and pharmaceuticals. Trainees run the transaction engine: organising data rooms, running due diligence, drafting board minutes, disclosure letters and stock transfer forms, and coordinating cross-border signing and closing checklists.
Interview style
Focuses on transaction structures and how macroeconomic shifts affect corporate valuations.
High difficultyFinance, Funds & Restructuring
Day-to-day
Acts for clearing banks, investment banks, private credit funds and sponsors across Leveraged Finance, Global Loans, Investment Funds and Restructuring & Special Situations. Trainees draft security documents, manage condition-precedent checklists, liaise with foreign counsel and review facility agreements; in restructuring they assist with winding-up petitions, administration filings and asset sales.
Interview style
Rewards numerical comfort and structured, logical reasoning over consistent deal flow.
High difficultyGlobal Markets
Day-to-day
Structured finance, derivatives, securitisation and debt capital markets. Trainees draft pricing supplements, proofread base prospectuses, coordinate execution versions of ISDA master agreements and research regulatory change such as MiFID II or Basel IV. Concentrated in London, Frankfurt and New York, recruiting only 2-3 trainees a cycle.
Interview style
Highly technical with abstract concepts and a steep learning curve, but less crowded with applicants.
Moderate-high difficultyReal Estate
Day-to-day
High-value property investment, development financings, asset management and urban regeneration for institutional developers, sovereign wealth funds and major landlords. Trainees run title diligence, review commercial leases, draft certificates of title, file Land Registry applications and prepare SDLT forms. Reoriented recently toward logistics assets and data centres.
Interview style
Accessible and structured, with tangible assets and more predictable hours.
Moderate difficultyDispute Resolution
Day-to-day
Commercial litigation, international arbitration, white-collar investigations and regulatory enforcement, including construction, competition and banking disputes. Trainees draft witness statements, index electronic hearing bundles, manage disclosure with e-discovery tools, write research memoranda on civil procedure and take hearing notes.
Interview style
Tests rigorous written analytical ability and precise logical reasoning; one of the hardest seats to secure.
High difficultyTry it now
Score your CV against Ashurst's sift
Ashurst talent acquisition screens thousands of CVs per cycle. Most are read in under 30 seconds. The candidates who get to interview have CVs that signal commercial relevance fast, in the format Ashurst expects.
What Ashurst looks for in a CV
Quantified impact
Numbers in every bullet: deal size, team size, percentage uplift, revenue managed. "Led a team" is filler, "led a 6-person team that delivered £400k of revenue" is a signal.
Named firms and deals
Ashurst recruiters skim for brand names they recognise. Name your prior internships, the deals you observed, the clients you worked on. Specifics beat generic descriptions.
Industry-relevant language
Use the vocabulary of the commercial law world: drafting, due diligence, commercial context, matter experience. Generic "analysed data" reads as not-yet-in-the-industry; the right terms read as ready.
Tight, structured layout
One page max. Reverse-chronological. Three to five bullets per role. No long paragraphs, no dense blocks. The skim test decides the read.
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The application
How Ashurst hires
5 stages, real interview questions, the criteria that decide it, and the moves that separate offers from rejections.
The process, stage by stage
- 1
Online application
Opens September; closes December (vac schemes) to January/February (direct TC)Customise every answer to Ashurst's core sectors and include a full module-by-module grade breakdown.
- 2
Online assessment
Invited within 24-48 hours of submitting; 7-day windowGamified Criteria Corp (Cognify, Emotify, Values Fit), not Watson-Glaser. Accuracy over speed; aim for the 70th percentile or higher.
- 3
HireVue video interview
Within 3-7 working days of clearing the OA4-6 questions, 90s prep, 120s record, strict no-retake. Use STAR and look at the lens, not the screen.
- 4
Assessment Centre / final round
November through MarchWritten case study, group exercise and partner interview. Collaborate, do not dominate the group.
- 5
Offer
3-7 working days after the ACVacation-scheme conversion is roughly 60-80%; offers usually come by phone.
What Ashurst asks at each round
Motivation
- Why do you want to pursue a career in commercial law rather than a different corporate sector?
- Why Ashurst specifically, given the overlap in practice areas with the Silver Circle and Magic Circle?
- Which of Ashurst's core international offices outside London interests you most strategically?
- What specific practice area at Ashurst have you followed closely in the legal press, and why?
- How does the day-to-day role of a trainee at Ashurst differ from that at a US firm in the City?
Behavioural
- Tell me about a time you had to manage conflicting deadlines under intense time pressure.
- Describe a situation where you worked within a team that was underperforming. How did you handle it?
- Give an example of a time you made a significant mistake. How did you rectify it and what did you learn?
- Can you share a time you persuaded someone fundamentally opposed to your view?
- Tell me about a time you went above and beyond what was expected of you on a project.
Commercial awareness
- If you had £50 million to invest in any sector over five years, where would you put it and why?
- What major geopolitical event is currently impacting the UK legal market, and how should Ashurst respond?
- How do high interest rates affect a law firm's transactional practices versus its contentious practices?
- How is the transition to green energy creating legal work for firms like Ashurst?
- Name a company currently struggling and explain what strategic steps its board should take.
Technical & commercial
- An international client wants to acquire a UK tech startup. What initial risks must Ashurst flag?
- What is the difference between debt finance and equity finance, and when would a client use each?
- Why might an infrastructure client choose arbitration over litigation for an international dispute?
- What are the legal and practical limits of a strict non-compete clause in a sale contract?
- How do law firms themselves make money, and what challenges do they face on profitability?
Curveballs
- If Ashurst could only be known for one thing in the market, what should it be?
- Sell me this pen, but convince me it represents Ashurst's corporate strategy.
- If I spoke to your closest friend, what one negative trait would they say you need to work on?
- How would you explain the concept of a smart contract to a five-year-old?
- If you were Managing Partner of Ashurst tomorrow, what is the first operational change you would make?
What Ashurst looks for
Academic standing
A 2:1 or equivalent in any discipline with strong core-module marks. Ashurst recruits from Oxbridge, LSE, UCL, King's, Warwick, Durham, Bristol and Nottingham, but Rare Recruitment contextual tools judge grades against your school's average and background, so non-target candidates progress regularly.
Commercial awareness
Not deep financial expertise, but a clear grasp of how a law firm operates as a business, how macro shifts (rates, inflation, supply chains) hit clients, and the regulatory forces shaping core sectors like Energy Transition and Infrastructure.
Collegiate behaviour
Sincere collaboration. Ashurst wants team players who support colleagues, not individuals who dominate group dynamics.
Structured communication
The ability to present complex points clearly, concisely and logically, in writing and in speech.
Resilience and adaptability
Comfort with ambiguity, a willingness to take constructive feedback, and the drive to manage shifting priorities under pressure.
Sector and innovation interest
Genuine interest in the energy transition, infrastructure and legal technology. Candidates who connect Ashurst Advance to their own future efficiency stand out.
The edge: what separates offers from rejections
Specific moves most applicants skip. None of them need talent, only preparation.
- 01Reference a real, recent Ashurst deal (the Bluefield Solar takeover, Dogger Bank offshore wind, a TfL upgrade) rather than the generic global merger every applicant cites.
- 02Tie Ashurst Advance to your own future efficiency as a trainee, not just praise it.
- 03Lead with the firm's energy, infrastructure and project finance dominance; that is its differentiator.
- 04Name specific employee networks (Out Ventures, the Multicultural Network, Women in Ashurst) if asked about culture.
- 05Show commercial pragmatism: connect macro trends to specific practice groups (higher rates slow PE M&A but grow restructuring).
Prep, stage by stage
Drill each Ashurst round
Dedicated pages for the four rounds Ashurst runs. Practise each round on Intervyo.
Psychometric Tests
SHL, Cappfinity, Watson-Glaser and more, in the exact format Ashurst uses.
HireVue
Real Ashurst questions, identical timer, scored on six competencies.
Live Interview
Conversational mocks tuned to Ashurst's style, with follow-ups.
Assessment Centre
Case work, technicals, group exercises. Full-day rehearsal.
Pay & culture
Working at Ashurst
What they pay
Graduate
£50,000 Year 1 trainee, rising to £55,000 in Year 2
Internship
£500 per week on the vacation scheme (pro-rata)
Perks
| Firm | Comp | Hours / week | Exit options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herbert Smith Freehills | ~£140K+ NQ | Deal-dependent | Similar |
| Magic Circle (Linklaters / Clifford Chance) | £150K NQ | Deal-dependent | Stronger on big-ticket |
| Elite US firms in London (Latham / Kirkland) | £170K-£180K+ NQ | 2,000+ billable target | Top pay |
| Norton Rose Fulbright / Hogan Lovells | Comparable | Comparable | Similar |
What working at Ashurst is like
- Australian heritage from the 2012 Blake Dawson merger; collegiate and less hierarchical than the Magic Circle.
- Now merging with US firm Perkins Coie to create Ashurst Perkins Coie, a top-20 global firm with revenue approaching £2 billion.
- Six core sectors drive over 85% of revenue: Banking, Energy, Infrastructure, Private Capital, Real Estate and Technology.
- Hybrid working: roughly 60% of time in the office, about 3 days a week.
- Hours are deal-dependent: 18:30-19:30 in quiet periods, occasionally past midnight near closings.
- Ashurst Advance (NewLaw) and Ashurst Risk Advisory are embedded directly into trainee work.
- Harvey AI rolled out across all 32 offices, with 50% year-on-year growth in tech-enabled delivery.
- London HQ at the Fruit & Wool Exchange, 1 Duval Square, E1.
Timeline
When Ashurst programmes open and close
By programme. Use these dates to plan applications across the cycle and submit early on rolling lines.
| Programme | Opens | Closes | Assessment | Offers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Year Insight Schemes & Open Days | September | October to November | Assessed in November | Rolling | Single-day or multi-day programmes held during the December or April university vacations. |
| Vacation Schemes (Winter / Spring / Summer) | September | Winter: late October; Spring/Summer: late December to early January | OAs and HireVues batch through October and January; ACs November to February | December (winter); February to March (spring/summer) | The primary feeder to training contracts. Conversion interviews run in the final days of the scheme, with offers usually within two weeks. |
| Direct Training Contract | September | Typically late January to February | Assessments February to March; ACs March to May | Rolling, concluding by June | Apply up to two years before the intended training-contract start date. |
| Solicitor Apprenticeship | September | Mid-January | November to January | March, for a September start | A separate school-leaver pathway with its own timeline. |
FAQ
Ashurst application questions
How hard is it to get into Ashurst?
Getting an offer is highly competitive. The firm receives roughly 2,500 to 3,000 UK applications a cycle for an intake of approximately 45 London training contracts. Success requires a strong academic background, excellent performance across the gamified psychometric tests, and a clear understanding of the firm's core business sectors.
What grades do I need?
Ashurst typically expects a minimum 2:1 degree classification or equivalent, with strong performance across core modules. While strong A-level and GCSE marks are looked on favourably, the firm uses contextual recruitment tools to evaluate grades within your specific educational and socio-economic context.
Does Ashurst accept non-law students?
Yes. The firm values the diverse perspectives non-law graduates bring, and roughly half of each annual trainee intake comes from non-law disciplines. Ashurst provides comprehensive financial sponsorship for all required SQE preparation courses.
Does Ashurst sponsor the SQE?
Yes. Once you accept a training contract offer, Ashurst fully covers all tuition and exam fees for your SQE preparation courses. Future trainees also receive a £20,000 annual maintenance grant to help cover living costs during their studies.
What is the vacation scheme conversion rate?
The conversion rate from the vacation scheme to a full training contract is consistently strong, typically ranging between 60% and 80%. The firm views the vacation scheme as its primary tool for assessing future trainee talent.
Does Ashurst recruit from non-Russell Group universities?
Yes. The firm evaluates candidates on individual merit and potential. Its contextual recruitment models ensure top performers from all higher education institutions are given fair consideration alongside applicants from Oxbridge, LSE, UCL, Warwick, Durham, Bristol and Nottingham.
Can I reapply if I am rejected?
Yes. Candidates can reapply in a subsequent recruitment cycle. You should use the intervening period to build relevant experience, strengthen your commercial awareness and refine your application responses.
How important is commercial awareness?
It is essential. You need to understand how macroeconomic events affect Ashurst's clients, how the firm generates revenue, and the business trends shaping key sectors like Energy and Infrastructure. Connecting current events to specific practice groups is what separates strong candidates.
What is the dress code for the assessment centre?
The dress code for both virtual and in-person assessment centres is professional business attire. Even on video, dress head to toe as you would in the London office.
Does Ashurst screen candidates' LinkedIn profiles?
Graduate Recruitment does not use LinkedIn as a formal screening mechanism during the initial sift, but partners and assessors may look at your profile before interviews to understand your background, so keep it accurate and professional.
Does Ashurst sponsor visas for international trainees?
Yes. The firm routinely sponsors Skilled Worker visas for international candidates who secure a training contract, covering the associated legal and application costs, and supports the two-year Graduate Route visa for those bridging graduation, SQE preparation and the training contract start. Trainee salaries of £50,000-plus and the £140,000 NQ salary comfortably exceed Home Office thresholds.
How not to fail
Mistakes that cost candidates Ashurst offers
Specific failure modes the firm screens out. None of these need talent to avoid, only awareness.
- 01Submitting a generic application. Reusing content from applications to other law firms is an immediate ground for rejection. Every answer must highlight Ashurst's specific core sectors.
- 02Demonstrating poor teamwork. Trying to dominate the conversation or interrupting others during the group exercise is a common failure mode. Ashurst looks for collaborative team players.
- 03Lacking commercial focus. Purely academic or theoretical legal analysis in case studies, without considering the financial realities and risks for the client, limits your progression.
- 04Not understanding the firm's business. You must know how Ashurst generates revenue and grasp the significance of its core divisions and strategic moves like the Ashurst Perkins Coie merger.
- 05Unstructured interview answers. Rambling, unfocused responses reduce your impact. Use STAR to keep answers concise and individual-contribution focused.
- 06Overlooking legal-tech integration. Showing no awareness of how automation and AI tools like Ashurst Advance are changing legal delivery makes your profile look dated.
- 07Failing to ask thoughtful questions. Generic questions answerable on the firm's website signal shallow research; ask targeted questions about sector trends instead.
- 08Failing to verify your details. Typos, spelling mistakes or inaccurate module-grade breakdowns in the application tracker suggest a lack of attention to detail.
If you are rejected
What to do next
Treat a rejection as a datapoint and diagnose where you left the pipeline. Detailed feedback is reserved for candidates who reach the full Assessment Centre, who can request formal feedback and review it constructively, then build experience over the next year through pro bono work, society leadership and commercial work experience.
Application or OA rejection
Refine your form, link every answer to Ashurst's sectors, and drill the game-based Criteria Corp formats (Gridlock, Short Cuts, Tally Up, Numbubbles, Proof It).
HireVue rejection
Record and review your answers, fix your eye-line and pacing, and deliver tight STAR answers inside the 2-minute window.
Assessment Centre rejection
Request formal feedback, then work on commercial depth in the case study and on inclusive collaboration in the group exercise.
Adjacent firms
Apply to peer international firms in similar sectors such as Norton Rose Fulbright, Hogan Lovells and Herbert Smith Freehills, and consider premium national firms that recruit later in the cycle.
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Intervyo is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ashurst. Process details are sourced from past applicants, the firm's published guidance and our own research; verify timings on the firm's official careers site before applying. Last updated 21 July 2026.
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