Summer Work Experience Schemes 2026

Summer work experience schemes 2026

Our summer work experience schemes are designed to offer you the opportunity to experience 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.

The dates of our 2026 schemes are:

• Scheme 1 (law students): Monday 22 June - Friday 10 July 2026
• Scheme 2 (law students): Monday 13 July - Friday 31 July 2026
• Scheme 3 (non-law students): Tuesday 1 September - Friday 18 September 2026.

Who can apply? 

Our summer work experience schemes are for penultimate year students (and first year students on a two-year accelerated law degree). 

We welcome applications irrespective of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, 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 cover letter. You can find out more about the application process here.
 

Applications close on 5 December 2025.

About Slaughter and May

Slaughter and May is a leading international law firm, recognised for our exceptional legal service and our commitment to clients.  The firm is a trusted adviser to some of the largest companies in the world, advising on high-profile, complex and often ground-breaking transactions. Our forward thinking, innovative approach to legal services complements the best-in-class advice on which our reputation is built. Excellence is deeply ingrained in our culture and absolutely central to everything we do at the firm.

We thrive on original thinking and novel approaches. Our inclusive culture gives rise to a unique diversity of thinking, which is critical to our success and helps maintain our position as a true market leader.  

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, Pensions and Employment, 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 each of our lawyers to be a multi-specialist, equipped to advise on a broad range of legal matters which at other firms would be handled by a number of different lawyers. This is hard work, but our lawyers say it makes for a far more fulfilling career. It provides challenge and interest, while allowing lawyers to develop deeper relationships with clients, because they get to know their businesses better.

·        Much of our work has an international element and we work with the very best law firms across the globe, hand-picked to meet the needs of each matter, to support our clients. On average we work with more than 200 law firms across 100 countries annually.  We never compromise on the quality and consistency for which we are widely recognised.  

·        Our inclusive culture is built on intentional collaboration and support. With no set billing targets, our lawyers are free to share expertise and knowledge, allowing them to focus on what truly matters – delivering exceptional work and outstanding client service.

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 enhances business performance. We are looking to employ the brightest minds regardless of what or where they studied. Traditional approaches to D&I are often skewed towards initiatives helping diverse individuals to "fit in” and succeed; we focus on examining and adjusting the system for greater acceptance of different leadership styles and ways of working.