Slaughter and May is one of the world’s leading international law firms, with an extensive corporate, commercial and financing practice. The specialist groups, including Tax, Competition, Financial Regulation, Dispute Resolution, Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Intellectual Property, Commercial Real Estate, Environment, and Pensions and Employment, complement these main activities.

The firm is organised into groups which undertake a general spread of work, encouraging lawyers to work on an extensive range of financial and commercial matters as well as developing expertise in specialist areas. Much of the work spans the globe, with transactions involving not only the firm’s overseas offices but also leading independent law firms in other jurisdictions.

Extensive Training

During the two-year training period, trainees gain experience of a broad cross-section of our practice, taking an active part in the work of four or five groups, sharing an office with a partner or experienced associate. Most trainees spend two six-month seats in the Corporate, Commercial and Financing groups. Some trainees opt to spend part of their time in the Competition or Financial Regulation group. Many also have one seat in the Commercial Real Estate group.

All trainees are asked where they would like to spend the remaining time. This is usually divided between one or two specialist groups and, should they wish it, six months abroad. Our overseas offices and close working relationships with leading independent law firms in other jurisdictions mean there are many opportunities to work in places such as Auckland, Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Helsinki, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, New York, Oslo, Paris, Prague, Rome, Stockholm and Tokyo.

Who should apply?

Our work is intellectually demanding and we look for trainees of the highest calibre.  As well as having a strong academic background, our lawyers need to have plenty of common sense and the willingness to accept responsibility.  We are interested in applications from any source; over 60 universities are represented among the lawyers who work in the firm.  It is not the source but the quality of the candidate that matters to us.

Fast Facts

Company description
International law firm.

Number of employees
Approximately 1,200 staff, including 133 partners, 180 trainees and over 400 associates.

Jobs available
Trainee solicitors.

Number of graduate vacancies per year
95.

Work locations
London, Paris, Brussels and Hong Kong (including opportunities to go on secondment to leading law firms in many other jurisdictions)

Degree disciplines/degree class required
Any discipline, 2.1 or better

Salary and benefits
First 12 months: £36,000. 
Second 12 months: £40,000.
On qualification: £63,500. 
Medical insurance, pension scheme, season ticket loan, special membership terms for health club, subsidised staff restaurant and coffee bar and other benefits.

Placements available
At Christmas, Easter and during the summer vacations.  Summer is for penultimate year undergraduate students only (closing date 25 January 2008).  Please refer to our website for further information.

Application procedure
Please apply online via our website. You will be asked to complete a short form, and to attach a copy of your complete CV with a covering letter.

Deadline
There is no deadline for receipt of training contract applications.