Spring Forward programme

An inclusive and diverse workforce is critical to our firm’s success and we seek the brightest minds to join us. Our clients work with us because they know that they can access exceptional talent.

Data from the Law Society shows that lawyers from ethnic minority or lower socio-economic backgrounds are underrepresented in law firms compared to the undergraduate population at UK universities. In our search for the best talent, we want to improve access to the profession for undergraduates from underrepresented backgrounds.

If you are a first-year law student from a lower socio-economic and/or ethnic minority background, our Spring Forward programme has been designed to give you an insight into life as a lawyer at Slaughter and May. This programme aims to develop your understanding of the work and culture of the firm and to provide information and experience for when you make decisions about applying for summer work experience schemes and training contracts in your penultimate year.

The programme includes:

• A one-week in-person work experience scheme in April 2025. During the one-week scheme, your time will be split between working alongside an associate and taking part in training sessions and skills workshops to help you develop your understanding of our work and build your commercial awareness.
• Ongoing support including an ongoing ‘buddy’ relationship following the scheme to provide support with the summer scheme application/interview process in your penultimate year.

You will be asked to confirm if you are from a lower socio-economic and/or ethnic minority background on the application form. 

PAYMENT

We will pay you £500. This is intended to cover your expenses during the one-week scheme.

The firm is committed to ensuring that the programme is accessible to everyone and that no-one is prevented from joining us due to financial constraints - we can offer additional financial support for those who require it, and we will also provide funds in advance if needed to book accommodation and/or travel for the one-week scheme.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please complete an online application, which can be accessed here. You will be asked to provide some personal details (including a full breakdown of all your examination results) and to attach your CV. Please note that a cover letter is not required.

You will also be asked to answer three questions outlining:

1. your interest in commercial law and your reasons for applying
2. the skills and attributes you would bring to the trainee role, and
3. a recent commercial news article including how the subject matter might impact the work of the firm.

Every application received is reviewed by our Early Careers Recruitment Team. There is no automatic filtering of applications.

Please note that this is an online application only. There are no tests or interviews for this vacancy.  

Working at Slaughter and May was a unique and exclusive experience. Being able to witness first-hand how the firm operates and their values was insightful and rewarding. From day one, I was made to feel welcome and was immediately immersed in the work, which was an incredible experience. Noura 2024 spring scheme attendee

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

We aim to employ the brightest minds regardless of what or where they have studied – you will find graduates from 71 universities at Slaughter and May. 

Background, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, religious beliefs and age are all irrelevant to our application process.

Across all of our work experience opportunities, we are looking for candidates with:

A sharp intellect

Our work is intellectually demanding so we look for three good A levels (or equivalent) and a good 2:1 in your degree so far. If you are applying for any opportunities in your first year, we understand that you may not yet have any university grades to include in your application.

Drive and an interest in commercial law

We are looking for you to have an interest in a career in commercial law, an understanding of what the firm does, and motivation and enthusiasm to find out more about working at Slaughter and May. You don’t need legal work experience to apply for our work experience opportunities, but you do need to demonstrate your interest in this career and what you have done so far to research this through, for example, open days, virtual internships or virtual or in-person law firm events/university events such as law fairs or firm presentations.

Commercial awareness

Our clients need us to be their trusted legal advisers, so you need to have an interest in the commercial world and how business works.

Communication and interpersonal skills

Good verbal and written communication skills are a key skill for all of our lawyers to have, so it’s something we look for in our application and interview process. Our collaborative culture also means that we look for candidates who can demonstrate that they can work successfully in teams.

The ability to show grit under pressure

Our multi-specialist approach means that our trainees work on the full range of transactions on which the group they are sitting in advises, which is hard work. The support is always there, but there will be times when you are stretched and need to work long hours in order to deliver the exceptional service that we provide for our clients. We are looking for candidates who can show us they are resilient when dealing with the unexpected and can remain focused under pressure.

Independent thought

We value diversity and individuality very highly – different perspectives are crucial when it comes to providing innovative advice – so through our interview process, we will look for your ability to articulate and defend your point of view.

We are also looking for candidates who have a range of interests outside of a career in law, so please include these on your CV. They can also be used to demonstrate how you may have developed some of qualities and skills above that we are looking for.

 

To thrive here, you will also need enthusiasm, a willingness to accept responsibility and a sense of humour!

All applications are considered on their own merits and we encourage you to include details of any mitigating circumstances which may have impacted your academic results. 

We use the Rare Contextual Recruitment System across all our early careers recruitment activity. The system helps us identify high-potential candidates by putting applicants’ grades and achievements in the context of their social and educational background.

For any application, interview or general queries, please visit the FAQs page. If you have a question which has not been answered there, please contact the Early Careers Recruitment Team via email or on 020 7090 4454. (Enquiries only - we do not accept applications by email).

ACCESSIBILITY

Slaughter and May is committed to ensuring that our recruitment processes are barrier-free and as inclusive as possible to everyone. This includes making adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term health condition.

If you require any adjustments to be made to the application and interview process or to attend a work experience opportunity with us, please contact Grace Parkinson, Early Careers Recruitment Operations Manager, via email or on 020 7090 5324.

To ensure that no-one is prevented from participating in a work experience opportunity due to financial constraints, expenses and/or salary payments are provided where relevant. Please view the salary information above for more details.