Firm Profiles
Slaughter & May
Slaughter & May
A Magic Circle Firm
A Magic Circle Firm
Year 1 Trainee
£56,000
Year 2 Trainee
£61,000
Newly Qualified
£150,000
Slaughter and May is a leading international law firm headquartered in London, known for its distinctive approach to legal practice. With over 1,200 lawyers and a network of best-friend firms across the globe, the firm advises on complex, high-profile matters spanning corporate, financing, disputes, and regulatory work. Renowned for its multi-specialist model and deep client relationships, Slaughter and May serves leading businesses, governments, and financial institutions across key sectors.
TC Number
95
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
4
The firm offers approximately 95 training contracts each year, with trainees completing four six-month seats across a broad range of practice areas. In their second year, trainees have the opportunity to go on international secondment to one of the firm’s overseas offices or to a partner firm, with recent destinations including New York, Tokyo, Paris, and Hong Kong. Trainees may also undertake client secondments within in-house legal teams, gaining valuable commercial insight and a deeper understanding of the client perspective.
Rankings in Chambers
30
Category
Magic Circle
At the Legal Innovation & Technology Awards 2024, Slaughter and May won the ‘Pioneering Business Development Innovation’ award for its Client Innovation Network. Launched in 2021, this initiative fosters collaboration and knowledge-sharing among in-house legal teams, providing access to bespoke training sessions and curated resources.
Additionally, Slaughter and May was shortlisted for ‘Corporate Team of the Year’ at the Legal Business Awards 2024, highlighting its expertise in handling complex corporate transactions
The firm also achieved a significant milestone by ranking 5th in the 2024 Social Mobility Employer Index, reflecting its dedication to improving socio-economic diversity within the legal profession.
The Application Process
Vacation Scheme Deadline
TBD
A-Levels Requirements
3 Good A Levels
Degree Requirements
Degree Requirements
2:1+
Application Writing
The application process begins with an online form, where candidates are asked to provide personal details, a full breakdown of GCSEs, A-levels, and all university module results, including end-of-year averages. Applicants also upload a cover letter (maximum one A4 page, addressed to Janine Arnold, Head of Recruitment) and a CV (maximum two pages). The firm encourages candidates to explain any mitigating circumstances and to demonstrate their interest in commercial law through events, internships, or other experiences.
Assessment Centre
The Assessment Centre at Slaughter and May centres around a 60-minute interview with two senior lawyers. Before the interview, candidates are given 20 minutes to read a two-page opinion article, during which they may take notes. The article forms the basis for discussion, alongside questions relating to the candidate’s CV, commercial awareness, and motivations for applying. The interview is designed to test a candidate’s ability to absorb complex information quickly, identify key arguments, and articulate a well-reasoned viewpoint.
Candidates are expected to summarise the article’s main themes, take a position, and engage in thoughtful debate — including consideration of counterarguments and broader implications. The discussion may also explore unfamiliar scenarios, testing the ability to think on your feet in a collaborative, analytical setting.
Interview Stage
Application Writing
Psychometric Testing
The application process begins with an online form, where candidates are asked to provide personal details, a full breakdown of GCSEs, A-levels, and all university module results, including end-of-year averages. Applicants also upload a cover letter (maximum one A4 page, addressed to Janine Arnold, Head of Recruitment) and a CV (maximum two pages). The firm encourages candidates to explain any mitigating circumstances and to demonstrate their interest in commercial law through events, internships, or other experiences.
Psychometric Testing
Interview Stage
Assessment Centre
The Assessment Centre at Slaughter and May centres around a 60-minute interview with two senior lawyers. Before the interview, candidates are given 20 minutes to read a two-page opinion article, during which they may take notes. The article forms the basis for discussion, alongside questions relating to the candidate’s CV, commercial awareness, and motivations for applying. The interview is designed to test a candidate’s ability to absorb complex information quickly, identify key arguments, and articulate a well-reasoned viewpoint.
Candidates are expected to summarise the article’s main themes, take a position, and engage in thoughtful debate — including consideration of counterarguments and broader implications. The discussion may also explore unfamiliar scenarios, testing the ability to think on your feet in a collaborative, analytical setting.
The Firm's History
1889 → William Slaughter and William May leave Ashurst to form their firm.
1889 → They open the first office at 18 Austin Friars.
1895 → May remarks in his diary that they have over 300 clients.
1930s → Advises more merchant banks than any other firm.
1974 → First city firm to establish a presence in Hong Kong.
1985 → Firm advises on many of Britain’s privatisations.
2002 → Offices moved to One Bunhill Row in London.
2007 → Firm expands to Brussels, Belgium.
2008 → Firm plays a key role in the financial crisis.
2009 → Opens an office in Beijing, China.
2015 → Represents more FTSE 100 clients than any other firm.
2015 → Partners earn highest PEP in UK.
2021 → Founding member of the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance.
2022 → Wins Corporate Team of the Year at The Lawyer Awards.
2023 → Becomes first major law firm to set social mobility targets.
2023 → The London office achieves 100% green electricity.
2024 → Named Employer of the Year at the Student Social Mobility Awards.
2024 → Launches solicitor apprenticeship scheme.
(please note these are highlights and the firm's history is far more complex)
Firm Profiles
Slaughter & May
A Magic Circle Firm
Year 1
Trainee
£56,000
Year 2
Trainee
£61,000
Newly
Qualified
£150,000
Slaughter and May is a leading international law firm headquartered in London, known for its distinctive approach to legal practice. With over 1,200 lawyers and a network of best-friend firms across the globe, the firm advises on complex, high-profile matters spanning corporate, financing, disputes, and regulatory work. Renowned for its multi-specialist model and deep client relationships, Slaughter and May serves leading businesses, governments, and financial institutions across key sectors.
TC Number
95
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
4
The firm offers approximately 95 training contracts each year, with trainees completing four six-month seats across a broad range of practice areas. In their second year, trainees have the opportunity to go on international secondment to one of the firm’s overseas offices or to a partner firm, with recent destinations including New York, Tokyo, Paris, and Hong Kong. Trainees may also undertake client secondments within in-house legal teams, gaining valuable commercial insight and a deeper understanding of the client perspective.
Rankings in Chambers
30
Awards
Category
Magic Circle
At the Legal Innovation & Technology Awards 2024, Slaughter and May won the ‘Pioneering Business Development Innovation’ award for its Client Innovation Network. Launched in 2021, this initiative fosters collaboration and knowledge-sharing among in-house legal teams, providing access to bespoke training sessions and curated resources.
Additionally, Slaughter and May was shortlisted for ‘Corporate Team of the Year’ at the Legal Business Awards 2024, highlighting its expertise in handling complex corporate transactions
The firm also achieved a significant milestone by ranking 5th in the 2024 Social Mobility Employer Index, reflecting its dedication to improving socio-economic diversity within the legal profession.
The Vacation Scheme Application Process
Application Writing
The application process begins with an online form, where candidates are asked to provide personal details, a full breakdown of GCSEs, A-levels, and all university module results, including end-of-year averages. Applicants also upload a cover letter (maximum one A4 page, addressed to Janine Arnold, Head of Recruitment) and a CV (maximum two pages). The firm encourages candidates to explain any mitigating circumstances and to demonstrate their interest in commercial law through events, internships, or other experiences.
Psychometric Testing
Interview Stage
Assessment Centre
The Assessment Centre at Slaughter and May centres around a 60-minute interview with two senior lawyers. Before the interview, candidates are given 20 minutes to read a two-page opinion article, during which they may take notes. The article forms the basis for discussion, alongside questions relating to the candidate’s CV, commercial awareness, and motivations for applying. The interview is designed to test a candidate’s ability to absorb complex information quickly, identify key arguments, and articulate a well-reasoned viewpoint.
Candidates are expected to summarise the article’s main themes, take a position, and engage in thoughtful debate — including consideration of counterarguments and broader implications. The discussion may also explore unfamiliar scenarios, testing the ability to think on your feet in a collaborative, analytical setting.
The Firm's History
1889 → William Slaughter and William May leave Ashurst to form their firm.
1889 → They open the first office at 18 Austin Friars.
1895 → May remarks in his diary that they have over 300 clients.
1930s → Advises more merchant banks than any other firm.
1974 → First city firm to establish a presence in Hong Kong.
1985 → Firm advises on many of Britain’s privatisations.
2002 → Offices moved to One Bunhill Row in London.
2007 → Firm expands to Brussels, Belgium.
2008 → Firm plays a key role in the financial crisis.
2009 → Opens an office in Beijing, China.
2015 → Represents more FTSE 100 clients than any other firm.
2015 → Partners earn highest PEP in UK.
2021 → Founding member of the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance.
2022 → Wins Corporate Team of the Year at The Lawyer Awards.
2023 → Becomes first major law firm to set social mobility targets.
2023 → The London office achieves 100% green electricity.
2024 → Named Employer of the Year at the Student Social Mobility Awards.
2024 → Launches solicitor apprenticeship scheme.
(please note these are highlights and the firm's history is far more complex)
Vacation Scheme Deadline
TBD
3 Good A Levels
A-Levels Requirements
Degree Requirements
2:1+