Slaughter and May
London
M&A·Competition·Banking
Slaughter and May has grown entirely organically throughout its history and remains the only major UK firm still structured as a traditional partnership rather than an LLP, with no billing targets for lawyers.
Why this firm
The only Magic Circle firm that has never merged
The only Magic Circle firm that has never merged, and the only one without its own integrated network of overseas offices, instead using a 'best friends' referral network
A non-rotational training structure by default: trainees work across practice areas simultaneously rather than moving seat to seat
Still a traditional partnership, not an LLP, with no individual billing targets for lawyers
What this firm looks for
Drawn from Slaughter and May's own recruitment materials
Based on the firm's published recruitment materials, graduate recruitment commentary and stated values.
Lateral thinking over textbook answers
Trainees say succeeding at interview means showing you can think laterally. The firm doesn't want candidates to repeat verbatim what they learnt at law school, it wants new solutions and fresh ideas.
Grit for cross-practice generalist work
The firm explicitly asks for the ability to show grit and remain focused under pressure, language that tracks its non-rotational structure, where trainees work across multiple practice areas simultaneously rather than one seat at a time.
Sense of humour, named explicitly
The firm's own stated list of desired qualities explicitly includes a good sense of humour and a range of interests outside of the law alongside intellect and drive, an unusually personality-focused inclusion in a formal criteria list.
Past applications
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