Tax Associate (2-5 PQE)
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Nov 5, 2026. First seen by Alion on Nov 4, 2026. A&O Shearman scores B on the Alion truth index.
Department purpose
Our clients require a seamless, multi-jurisdictional tax advisory service, whether on a stand-alone basis or as an integral part of the full legal service offered by A&O Shearman.
With over 100 tax specialists across our international network, we are able to offer both domestic and cross-border advice wherever our clients need it, whether they are financial institutions, corporate entities, funds or governments.
The depth and breadth of our knowledge ensures that we are able to support our clients' business needs successfully and provide high quality, innovative tax solutions in the increasingly complex area of tax legislation and practice.
Role purpose
We provide cutting edge advice to our clients in many areas, including M&A, reconstructions and reorganisations, strategic tax planning, tax investigations and disputes, joint ventures, asset finance, Tier 1 capital market transactions, banking, litigation, restructuring, tax, structured finance and indirect tax. We encourage associates to remain generalists in the early stages of their careers and we have a structured training programme designed to develop first class legal and transaction handling skills. A career in our Taxation team can be highly challenging given the complexity and international dimensions to our work and a continuous emphasis on intellectual growth.Role & responsibilities
- Providing high quality tax advice, whether in the context of large corporate and financing transactions, innovative tax planning opportunities arising from complex new tax legislation or in the resolution of major disputes
- Managing client expectations and project delivery appropriately
- Business development - development of personal plan, assistance with and implementation of practice business development plan
- Contributing to the development of the Tax practice, including attending external conferences and networking
- Legal research
- Drafting, reviewing and amending documentation
- Working effectively and collaboratively with colleagues
- Supervision of junior team members
Key requirements
- Qualified lawyer (2-5 PQE)
- Intellectual curiosity and versatility
- Self-starter with the desire and ability to continuously acquire, build upon and share knowledge
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines
- Excellent client relationship skills
- Proven experience of operating at Associate level
- Strong commercial/business acumen with the ability to deliver creative and pragmatic solutions and advice
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface at all levels and particularly to win the respect of the partner and fee-earner community, building strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders
- Collaborative team player with the ability to develop and work in a fast paced, intellectually rigorous environment
- Ability to mentor junior lawyers
- A person of sound judgment with ability to establish a high level of credibility
Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.
We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing an onsite gym, wellbeing centre and GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, season ticket loans and online discounts and lifestyle management services.
Our approach to hybrid working seeks to combine and maximise the benefits of effective remote working with the benefits of being in the office. Our current hybrid working arrangements require office based working for a minimum of 60% of your time (i.e. three days per week for a full time role) in accordance with our hybrid working policy.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE - A&O Shearman does not accept unsolicited CVs. For further information, please see our UK Recruitment Agency Policy and our commitment to direct sourcing here.
A&O Shearman is a global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 28 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.
We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.
Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to an inclusive environment, and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.
What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.