At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our virtual ACCESS Commercial Law programme and learn about commercial law essentials.
- Company: Ashurst Perkins Coie, a global leader in commercial law with a diverse team.
- Benefits: Gain valuable skills, mentorship, and insights into the legal profession.
- Other info: Flexible virtual sessions after school hours to fit your schedule.
- Why this job: Kickstart your legal career with real-world knowledge and networking opportunities.
- Qualifications: Must be in Year 12/13 or equivalent and meet specific eligibility criteria.
Location: London
Description:
Role: ACCESS Commercial Law Participant
Reporting to: Social Impact Team
Duration: Throughout the 2026/2027 school year
Who is Ashurst Perkins Coie?
Ashurst Perkins Coie is a global commercial law firm with over 3,000 solicitors worldwide. Our solicitors give advice on business-related issues to large organisations, including global banks, tech firms, and government organisations. We regularly help our clients expand into new countries and develop major projects like roads, railways, and buildings. As a truly global firm, we work with people across the world in places like Tokyo, Sydney, and New York, and our work often appears in the press.
What does this opportunity involve?
Participating in our ACCESS Commercial Law programme will enhance your understanding of commercial law and equip you with essential skills for your path to becoming a commercial solicitor. The programme includes a series of virtual panel discussions on key topics and provides you with the opportunity to be matched with a career mentor from Ashurst Perkins Coie or one of our clients. The programme will be run virtually, ensuring you can participate no matter your geographic location. You will require access to the internet and a computer, laptop, or mobile device (such as a tablet or mobile phone) to take part in this programme. All sessions will take place during school term-time and just after the school day, meaning you have the option to join from home or school. If you are interested in the programme but have any concerns about being able to access it, please contact us. We are committed to supporting you to access this opportunity and would be happy to discuss ways in which we can support you.
Programme overview:
- Programme dates can be found on ACCESS Commercial Law webpage.
- Session 1: Part A: An Insight into Commercial Law and Career Pathways | Part B: Zero Gravity Mentee Training
- Session 2: Application Forms and Online Assessments
- Session 3: Preparing for an Interview or Assessment Centre
- Session 4: What Is Commercial Awareness, and Why Is It Important?
- Session 5: Social Mobility - Harnessing Your Strengths
- Session 6: Preparing for university and the workplace
Who are we looking for?
You must be in Year 12/13 (England and Wales), S5/S6 (Scotland), Year 13/14 Northern Ireland, or 5th Year/6th Year (Republic of Ireland). You are attending a state-run or state-funded school or independent/fee-paying school on a 100% means-tested bursary.
Additional criteria:
- You have been, or are currently, in local authority care.
- You are currently in receipt of, or have previously received, free school meals, Pupil Premium, Education Maintenance Allowance and/or 16 to 19 Bursary.
- You are, or have been, a full-time or part-time carer.
- You came to the UK as a refugee or asylum seeker.
- You grew up in a household where the occupation of the main earner is categorized as a routine or manual occupation.
- You are attending a state school or college with below average A-Level or Higher point score and/or low rate of progression to higher education (PRIME Work Experience School Eligibility Criteria).
- You grew up in a household where no parent or guardian attended university.
For more information visit our ACCESS Commercial Law webpage.
Use of generative AI in your application:
At Ashurst Perkins Coie, innovation is our tradition. We encourage the responsible use of generative AI across the firm to explore opportunities, improve the ways we work, enhance the capabilities of our people, and create new client-facing services. We recognise that AI, when used appropriately, can be a valuable tool for improving the creation and quality of your application. While we support the use of emerging technologies we expect that any AI altered content is thoroughly reviewed and appropriately edited prior to submission. This is important to uphold the ethical standards of honesty and authenticity expected by the firm. Its use is only to complement your efforts to authentically and accurately represent yourself, your experience and your enthusiasm for the role, rather than replace your thoughts or create them for you.
We look forward to receiving your application. Please contact socialimpact@ashurstperkins.com if you have any questions.
Apply now: Click 'Apply Now' to begin/continue your application.
NB: When completing the personal details section of the application form, please provide the email address that you check most regularly and ensure that there are no restrictions on receiving external emails.
ACCESS Commercial Law 2026/2027 in London employer: Ashurst
At Ashurst Perkins Coie, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our London office provides flexible working options, comprehensive health and wellbeing benefits, and numerous opportunities for career advancement through global exposure and award-winning learning programmes. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team that is shaping the future economy with cutting-edge technology solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land ACCESS Commercial Law 2026/2027 in London
✨Hit Up Legal Career Fairs
Get yourself to legal career fairs and networking events in your area. These are gold mines for snagging internships, as many firms like to meet potential candidates face-to-face. Keep an eye out for universities or legal associations hosting these events!
✨Leverage Your School's Resources
Tap into your university's career services or law department—they often have connections with firms looking for interns. Plus, you might find exclusive internship postings or workshops that can make you stand out!
✨Get Involved in Legal Clinics
Participate in legal aid clinics or pro bono work; it’s a stellar way to gain hands-on experience and beef up your CV. Being directly involved in community legal projects shows your commitment and can impress potential employers!
✨Apply Directly on Our Website
Don't forget to check out Ashurst’s careers page for internship opportunities. It’s a smart move to apply directly through our website; we love seeing applications come in from passionate candidates like you!
We think you need these skills to ace ACCESS Commercial Law 2026/2027 in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Knowledge:When we’re looking at applications for a legal internship, we want to see that you're not just passionate about the law, but that you’ve got a solid grasp of key concepts too. Highlight any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on, and don't forget to mention specific areas of law you're interested in—this shows us your focus and ambition!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to explain why you’re eager to intern at Ashurst. Talk about how this internship aligns with your career goals and what you hope to learn from the experience. Be sure to showcase your analytical skills and any relevant experiences, whether they’re from university assignments, extra-curriculars, or volunteer work.
Include Relevant Experiences:Alongside your education, it's great to include any experiences that show your dedication to the legal field—this could be volunteer work at legal aid clinics or participation in law-related societies. Such experiences really highlight your commitment and willingness to learn, which is exactly what we want to see in an intern!
Proof Your Skills with Writing Samples:Don't just tell us you're a great writer—show us! If you've written any essays, research papers, or even blog posts on legal topics, consider attaching a couple of writing samples with your application. This gives us a taste of your analytical ability and how clearly you can express complex legal ideas, which is crucial in law!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ashurst
✨Know Your Legal Basics
Brush up on fundamental legal concepts relevant to the position. We want to be able to discuss basic legal principles confidently, especially if there's a chance they might ask about case studies or legal reasoning during your interview at Ashurst.
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
As an intern in the legal field, you'll be expected to do a lot of research. Come prepared to discuss how you’ve tackled legal research in the past or share examples of how you’ve used databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis. This will demonstrate your ability to contribute right from the start!
✨Prepare for Role-Specific Scenarios
It’s a good idea to consider hypothetical legal scenarios that might be thrown at you during your interview. Think through how you would approach a case or handle a compliance issue, and make sure to ask insightful questions about the type of cases handled at Ashurst.
✨Highlight Your Learning Potential
Since this is an internship, employers like Ashurst are looking for enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Talk about why you're interested in law and how this internship aligns with your career goals. Emphasise how you can grow through this opportunity!
