Aashna Agarwal

How long have you been at A&O and what were you doing prior to joining us?

I have been at A&O for three years. I joined as a trainee in August 2019 and qualified with the arbitration team in September 2021.  I was studying law in India at National Law University, Jodhpur prior to joining A&O.

What initially attracted you to A&O and what did you feel set us apart?

The opportunity to work on multi-jurisdictional matters and work with people from across the globe initially attracted me to A&O. I think what sets A&O apart is the people. At A&O, you get to work with and learn from individuals who are not only technically brilliant but also open and approachable and who have an interest in your growth.

How do you feel A&O has changed since you joined (the impact of this one will likely depend on when you joined us!)

I have seen A&O grow and adapt to the sensitivities of the environment in which it operates. In particular, I have seen an increased investment in diversity and inclusion initiatives and in pro bono projects. Not only does the firm have a slew of its own initiatives, it is also receptive to and engages with DE&I ideas from team members around the network.

What was your first ever job?  Was working in the legal sector always your ultimate goal?

Trainee at A&O was my first ever job. I fell into it by accident when I got a place in law school instead of the university I had initially planned to attend. I decided to take a leap of faith and go to law school – and I ended up loving it.

We are proud at A&O to offer an environment where people can be themselves … What gives you a sense of “belonging” at A&O? 

What gives me a sense of belonging is the knowledge that my ideas will be heard and valued (whether on client matters or at the various A&O networks) irrespective of gender / race / seniority. And I believe that to be true for everyone at A&O – you will always find people who are willing to and want to hear your viewpoint.

What’s the best thing about the team you work in?

My team is open to feedback from associates and takes that feedback on board.

Which networks, extra-curricular activities, and/or pro bono and community investment initiatives have you become involved with since joining A&O (such as DE&I/sports teams/music etc.)?  What have you valued most about these opportunities?

I am a member of the Litigation Race & Ethnicity Committee and a part of the South Asian Affinity Group network. In addition, I am part of the A&O Climbing Club (we recently went outdoor climbing in the Lake District). I have also been involved with several pro-bono projects during my three years at A&O. Being a part of these networks and groups gives you the chance to work with people from different backgrounds, departments and offices. Each individual has their own perspective and ideas and these forums are an ideal place to learn and appreciate that. 

Pro-bono projects give you a great opportunity to work in areas of law that you are particularly passionate about and which you may not generally get to work on, for example, I have had the opportunity to work on human rights issues through pro bono projects. Given the extensive scope of pro bono projects at A&O, you will easily find a project in an area that interests you.

If you could spend some time in any of A&O’s international offices, where would you most like to go and why?

I would like to visit more than just one A&O office! However, if I had to pick, at the moment it would be Singapore. I work quite a bit with the Singapore team so it would be nice to visit the office in person – and, of course, eat the local food.

If you could switch roles with anyone else at A&O, whose job would you want and why?

On a temporary basis only, I would want to switch roles with the in-house legal team so I can see the nature of the cases that they handle. I think it would give me an insight into the functioning of the firm and provide valuable lessons.

What advice would you give to anyone considering joining A&O?

If challenging and hard work interests you, A&O is a great place to be; the environment is ideal for growing your legal skills and building your profile. My advice to anyone joining would be to speak to people in the team you wish to join or at the firm.