Training contract – September 2026/March 2027 (Law and Non-Law Finalists and Graduates)

Job description

Our training contract is designed to offer you the breadth of experience and training needed to become a multi-specialist, equipped to advise on a broad range of legal matters. We think that this multi-specialist approach makes for a far more fulfilling career - it provides challenge and interest, exactly what great minds need.

In each seat you will share an office with a partner or associate (your ‘supervisor’) who will guide you and ensure that you are actively involved in their work and the work of the group. A partner in your group will regularly meet with you to discuss your progress and your supervisor will give you a full review at the end of each seat. You will also receive regular informal feedback. These opportunities provide a forum for you to discuss your progress and how to develop your legal knowledge, skills and experience.

Shortly after joining the firm you will be allocated a continuity partner. The partner will be someone from a group outside of the seats you are due to sit in during your training contract, who will support you during your time as a trainee solicitor. Continuity partners are helpful in providing guidance and promoting your training contract experience.

Our overseas offices and close working relationships with market-leading law firms in other jurisdictions mean there are opportunities for trainees to apply for a secondment in their second year. Recent trainee secondment destinations include: US (NYC), France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands. Spain, Norway, Sweden, Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong. We also offer some exciting opportunities for client secondments in and around London that eligible trainees can apply for. Secondments are a great opportunity to further understand the ways in which law firms operate and how we support clients.

Trainees are also encouraged to understand advances in the legal industry, and possibly even help to shape them, by joining our Innovation Network which now has over 250 members. Challenging the way we work through open-mindedness, diversity and creativity can have an enormous impact on results for our clients, our efficiency, and our wellbeing.

What we are looking for

We look for candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds with a good 2:1 at undergraduate level from any university, and take law and non-law graduates.

Our trainees come from a range of universities – it is the quality of the candidate, not the university that is important to us. We like people with:

• a sharp intellect
• independent thought and curiosity
• commercial awareness and an interest in and commitment to commercial law
• energy, spark and commitment
• the ability to relate to others
• common sense and judgement
• integrity
• a range of interests outside of the law
• an interesting take on things
• resolve and resilience
• a good sense of humour
• a willingness to take on responsibility
• a global outlook

Qualifications

We look for candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds with a good 2:1 at undergraduate level from any university, and take law and non-law graduates. We use the Rare Contextual Recruitment System across all our trainee recruitment activity. The system helps us to identify high potential candidates by putting applicants’ grades and achievements in the context of their social and educational background.

Additional job details

How to apply

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

Applications should be submitted using the online form. You will be asked to provide some personal details (including a full breakdown of all your examination results) and to attach your cover letter and CV. Your cover letter should tell us about you, why you are interested in a career in law and why you are applying to Slaughter and May. You should also include any other information which you think may be relevant to your application. Please ensure that your cover letter is no longer than one side of A4 and address it to Janine Arnold, Head of Recruitment.

We encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible during an application window. Training contract offers will be made on a rolling basis. We are unable to guarantee the availability of places as we progress with these interviews.

Click Apply to start your application now. This job will be available on Prospects until 30 November 2023

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Closing date:  30 November 2023