Why Slaughter and May?

I initially applied for the summer work experience scheme with the firm. At the time, I was studying Mathematics at the University of Edinburgh and was beginning to think about what career I might do afterwards. Commercial law seemed like an interesting segue from maths, and I was drawn to apply by the firm's reputation for doing high-quality legal work. Beyond that, I was attracted by the prospect of working in an environment where people consistently challenged themselves and one another to achieve the highest standards.

The summer scheme showed me that a career in commercial law could combine the problem-solving and logical skills that I'd honed at university with other dimensions and nuances. That blend of analytical thinking and commercial judgement was what ultimately convinced me that commercial law was the right fit for me.

Navigating the application process

I appreciated the firm’s straightforward application process, consisting of submitting a CV and cover letter before then being invited to interview. I had the opportunity to interview for a training contract at the end of the summer work experience scheme. Despite initially being nervous, I really enjoyed my interview as it felt like a genuine conversation where the interviewers really wanted to get to know me.  

Day-to-day work

I’m sat in Financial Regulation (FR) for the first seat of my training contract.  I’ve really enjoyed the thoughtful nature of the work I’ve conducted so far, including research, drafting and careful considerations of the nuanced problems at hand.

A typical day as a trainee in this practice area can involve many things. I work very closely with my supervisor and assist him in his day: whether by conducting research or due diligence, or by drafting documents, or by more administrative tasks such as filing and updating trackers and proof-reading documents. The work can be demanding and deadline-driven, but there is a strong culture of teamwork and mutual support. Colleagues are keen to help one another and, when busier periods arise, there is a real sense of everyone pulling together to deliver the best possible outcome for clients.

Transitioning into law from a STEM background has been much easier that I thought it would be, and my mathematical background has also been valuable in unexpected ways. Only recently, I noticed that a formula in a very technical policy was based on an assumption that warranted closer scrutiny, which also goes to show the wide-ranging nature of the work in my Financial Regulation seat.

My highlight so far

My most memorable experience so far has been drafting a deed from scratch that, with only a few amendments from my supervisor, made it into the transaction documents of a large transaction we were working on at the time. Seeing my words and thoughts actually be signed and therefore compelling the parties to do what I’d been instructed to draft was a really fun experience!

Outside of work

Outside of work, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in life at the firm. The FR team regularly gets together at the end of each month, and we enjoyed a summer party which included a ravioli-making class at Pasta Evangelists and some karaoke. The Trainee Solicitors' Committee also organises a variety of events throughout the year, including a summer social for trainees.

I've also joined the Book Club and subscribed to the Arts Review that the firm publishes every month or so. Overall, social life at the firm is very much what you make of it, with a wide range of activities and communities to get involved in.