Summer work experience schemes 2027

Cooper & Hall Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Slaughter and May offers a summer work experience scheme designed to give you real insight into life as a trainee at the firm. You will be placed in a legal group, engage in hands-on legal research, and be guided by a trainee solicitor who will assist with tasks and settling in.

The scheme includes training, workshops, interactive case studies and social activities with partners, associates and trainees, and ends with a potential interview for a training contract.

Qualifications

• Aspiring applicants should have strong academic records.
• Evidence of analytical and research skills is essential.
• A-level results of AAB or better and a good undergraduate grade are expected.

Responsibilities

• Sit in a legal group and contribute to real legal tasks.
• Work with a trainee solicitor who will support you throughout the scheme.
• Participate in training, workshops and case studies; engage in social activities.

Skills

Legal research

Hands-on legal work

Training and development

Education

A-levels AAB

2:1 undergraduate degree (or higher)

Tools

Legal research databases

Job description

Our summer work experience schemes are designed to give you a real insight into life as a trainee at the firm and find out more about our work and our culture.

During the scheme, you will sit in one of our legal groups and will get involved in legal work and conducting hands-on legal research. There will be a trainee solicitor assigned to you, who will help you to settle in and will be available throughout your scheme to answer any questions and assist with any tasks you may be given.

Throughout your time in the firm, you will also take part in training, workshops and interactive case studies, and different social activities will be organised to give you opportunities to talk with partners, associates and trainees outside the office.

At the end of the summer scheme, you will be offered the chance to interview for a training contract.

Who can apply?

Our summer work experience schemes are for

• Penultimate year law and non-law students

• Students in their 1st year of a 2-year accelerated law degree

• Students in their 2nd year of a 4-year degree spending 3rd year abroad

We welcome applications irrespective of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, gender reassignment, age, religion/belief or marital status.

Entry Requirements:

A-levels: AAB (not including EPQ) or equivalent

Undergraduate degree (and postgraduate degree if applicable): Strong 2:1, ideally a minimum of 65% and above in the majority of your modules for each academic year completed.

If you do not meet these requirements due to mitigating circumstances which materially impacted your results, please include details of this on your application. All applications are considered on their own merits.

About Slaughter and May

Slaughter and May is a leading international law firm, recognised for our exceptional legal service, commercial awareness and commitment to clients. We are trusted advisers to some of the world’s largest companies, advising on complex, high-profile and often ground-breaking transactions, and our forward thinking and innovative approach complements the best-in-class advice on which our reputation is built.

Our practice areas

We are a full-service law firm and have leading practitioners across a wide range of areas including Mergers and Acquisitions; Corporate and Commercial; Financing; Tax; Competition; Disputes and Investigations; Real Estate and Projects; Pensions, Employment and Incentives; Financial Regulation; and Technology, Digital, Data and Intellectual Property.

A world of difference

There are clear differences between Slaughter and May and other global law firms:

• We train our lawyers to advise across the full range of work within their practice area, giving them exposure to a broader range of matters than they might experience at another firm. This is hard work, but our lawyers say it makes for a far more fulfilling career. Working on complex, varied and high-profile matters from the start provides challenge and interest, and allows them to develop deeper relationships with clients, because they get to know their businesses better.

• Through longstanding relationships with leading law firms around the world and our overseas offices, we provide seamless legal advice to our clients wherever they operate. On average, we work with more than 200 law firms across 100 countries annually, giving our lawyers exposure to international work from an early stage. Through this experience, they gain valuable insights into different markets, cultures and legal systems, developing the judgement and adaptability our clients value.

• Our culture is built on collaboration, trust and diversity of thought, creating an inclusive environment in which our people achieve excellence through collective effort and shared expertise. Without billing or time targets, our lawyers are encouraged to focus on delivering the best outcomes for clients and supporting each other's development, fostering a strong sense of belonging and teamwork

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and Inclusion is an integral part of how we do things as a firm. We believe that a supportive and inclusive workplace drives collaboration and helps people perform at their best. We are looking to employ the brightest minds regardless of what or where they studied, and we strive to ensure that people feel comfortable being themselves at work through fostering an inclusive culture which values diversity of experience and perspective.