Global law firm Allen & Overy has hired 25 new graduates to its Legal Services Centre (LSC) in Belfast – the highest annual intake of new recruits to date.

The increased number underlines Allen & Overy’s investment in the region where it currently employs over 115 legal professionals and lawyers in Belfast, among a wider support staff of over 500.

Partner and Head of Allen & Overy’s LSC Angela Clist, said “The Belfast centre plays a key role for Allen & Overy globally.

“The legal services market is constantly changing, as our clients require law firms to innovate what they do and how they do it. Law firms need to ensure that client engagements are properly resourced and that they leverage the latest in legal technology.

Calibre

“We had over 100 applicants apply for the roles this year from Northern Ireland, GB, Europe and Asia and we were impressed by the excellent calibre and ambition of all who took part in the programme.

“The successful employees now have the chance to work alongside and learn from some of the best lawyers in the world, build long-term career paths and work on a range of complex global deals and cases.”

Successful applicants have completed an intensive six-week training programme in a certificate of Business Law and Practice, delivered in association with the University of Law.

The firm now offers a Belfast-based training contract.

Prestige

New hire Lena Chua said: “I completed my postgraduate degree at Durham University and along with the prestige of working for a global law firm, I was attracted by the opportunity to work on cross-border matters in a variety of practice areas at the LSC.

“I have already worked with the London and New York offices on multiple document review exercises for litigation taking place in foreign jurisdictions.”

Secondment

She said she was looking forward to a secondment opportunity at one of the firm’s global offices.

Allen & Overy employs more than 500 people in Belfast across the LSC and the support services centre which delivers HR, IT, finance, marketing, library and business services to the firm’s 43 offices worldwide.

Allen & Overy employs approximately 5,400 people, including some 550 partners, working in 44 offices worldwide.

The LSC is now recruiting for the 2020 intake which is open to all graduates with an interest in pursuing a career in law.