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  4. Spring Forward Programme 2027
Lock Applications for this job open on 5 Oct 2026

An inclusive and diverse workforce is critical to our firm’s success and we seek the brightest minds to join us. Our clients work with us because they know that they can access exceptional talent.

Data from the Law Society shows that lawyers from ethnic minority or lower socio-economic backgrounds are underrepresented in law firms compared to the undergraduate population at UK universities. In our search for the best talent, we want to improve access to the profession for undergraduates from underrepresented backgrounds.

If you are a first-year law student from a lower socio-economic and/or ethnic minority background, our Spring Forward programme is designed to help you explore life as a lawyer at Slaughter and May. Through a week in our London office, you’ll gain first-hand insight into our work, our people and our culture, helping you build your confidence and understanding as you start thinking about future applications for summer work experience schemes and training contracts.

The programme includes

  • A one-week, in-person work experience scheme in April 2027, where you’ll spend time working alongside an associate and take part in training sessions and skills workshops designed to develop your commercial awareness and understanding of the work we do. ·
  • Ongoing support after the scheme, including an ongoing ‘buddy’ relationship to provide support with the summer scheme application and interview process in your penultimate year.

Our 2027 Spring Forward programme will be taking place in our London office from Monday 5 April – Friday 9 April 2027.

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.

How to apply

To apply, you will be asked to complete an online application form and attach a CV and responses to three questions.

You can find out more about the application process and what we are looking for here. Applications will close on Wednesday 6 January 2027.

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.