Slaughter and May is distinctly different.
As a trainee and lawyer you won’t be pigeon-holed. Unlike other firms, we’re multi-specialists which means a much more stimulating working life. We work internationally by building relationships with the best firms in each jurisdiction so people and teamwork are hugely important, whilst maintaining individuality. Our lawyers aren’t set any billing or time targets which means they are not forced to compete with each other to find the jobs or clients that bill the most hours. Our system provides greater emphasis on quality, greater efficiency and engenders a firm-wide ethos of sharing expertise.
In this programme, you will be introduced to some of the types of work our trainees and lawyers do every day. The programme encourages the development of important skills and commercial awareness which will give you a better understanding of what a lawyer does and what a career at Slaughter and May entails.
Our programme is open to all students – no legal knowledge or previous work experience is required. Tasks 1-4 cover aspects of a fictional transaction. Task 5 is a typical trainee task – as a trainee you can expect to be pulled in to assist on other matters at short notice!
Once you’ve completed the programme, you can also use it on applications and in interviews as further evidence of your interest in, and understanding of, a career in commercial law.
About Slaughter and May
Slaughter and May has a global reputation for providing outstanding legal services. The strength of our practice is reflected in the multi-jurisdictional nature of our work and our international client base. The firm is a trusted adviser to some of the largest companies in the world, advising on complex cross-border deals every single day.
We advise on high-profile and often landmark international transactions. Our varied client list ranges from governments to entrepreneurs, from retailers to entertainment companies and from conglomerates to Premier League football clubs.
Our practice areas
We are a full service law firm to corporate clients and have leading practitioners across a wide range of areas including Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate and Commercial, Financing, Tax, Competition, Disputes and Investigations, Real Estate, Pensions and Employment, Financial Regulation, Information Technology and Intellectual Property.
A world of difference
There are clear differences between Slaughter and May and other global law firms:
- We train each of our lawyers to be a multi-specialist, equipped to advise on a broad range of legal matters which at other firms would be handled by a number of different lawyers. This is hard work but our lawyers say it makes for a far more fulfilling career. It provides challenge and interest while allowing lawyers to develop deeper relationships with clients, because they get to know their businesses better, and we think that by broadening your training and experience, you will be a better lawyer.
- Much of our work has an international element and on average we work with more than 200 law firms across 100 countries annually. Our work is international and cross-border in nature; we go where our clients go. We never compromise on the quality and consistency for which we are widely recognised.
- At Slaughter and May we also take a different approach to time; there are no set billing or time targets. This means that our lawyers are free to work collaboratively, sharing expertise and knowledge, so that they can concentrate on what matters most – the quality of the work and client service.
Diversity and inclusion
Diversity and Inclusion is an integral part of how we do things as a firm. We believe that a supportive and inclusive workplace drives collaboration and enhances business performance. We are looking to employ the brightest minds regardless of what or where they studied. Traditional approaches to D&I are often skewed towards initiatives helping diverse individuals to “fit in” and succeed; we focus on examining and adjusting the system for greater acceptance of different leadership styles and ways of working.
