Ashurst Reviews

Promotion opportunities come with experience, demonstrating the ability to work independently and effectively delegate, while also meeting billable time targets.

I have done quite a lot of pro bono work across the refugee and climate sectors. I think the opportunities offered in these fields reflect the firm's commitment to CSR.

I find the culture within teams and the wider firm to be relaxed yet hardworking, my colleagues are approachable with an emphasis on learning. I do not find that there is any competitiveness or rivalry between colleagues which I think is particularly good.

The firm provides generous maternity and equal paternity leave. There are groups within the firm that schedule events promoting diversity.

Your day varies depending on your team and how busy it is. I have helped draft contracts, written lengthy advice for clients and supported meetings with clients where my seniors would workshop and resolve issues.

My supervisors have been great mentors to me. Everyone I have worked with has made time to teach me and help me to develop my skills. I am given lots of feedback, if not directly, then by being copied into an email where amendments have been made to my work.

The office is currently great and situated in the best part of the city. Dress code varies by team but will usually be corporate attire.

I found the interview process very enjoyable - all those who interviewed me were friendly, reassuring and engaging. It was cool to be interviewed by a Partner and an SA in two separate teams for my final interview. I found that pretty unique to the Ashurst hiring process.

Graduate pay is top of the market and highest highest-paid graduate salary in 2023. 1PQE and onwards I am not certain of, however understand after the recent changes to billable hours, the salary will be reflected in 2024. Bonuses start by hitting the minimum billable target, inclusive of other non-billable targets.

There are lots of training opportunities at Ashurst - in every team I have rotated through, I have received a great amount of formal and informal training which has been invaluable.

The hours are longer than a standard office job but not as extreme as other law firms. Some days are a standard 8:30 am - 5:00 pm but every couple of weeks it will get busy and you're pulling a 16-hour day or three. The firm encourages us to make time for ourselves and work where we like, so people will often duck out to go to the gym or to spend time with their kids earlier in the afternoon then log back on from home in the evening.

Our building is very focused on sustainability. All our new branding merchandise is sustainably sourced.