Meet Florence - Second Seat Trainee

Florence studied Social Sciences at Durham and is currently in the second seat of her training contract. 

Why did you apply to Slaughter and May?

I attended a university event which introduced me to the firm. My degree was multi-specialist (I could pick modules across different social sciences), so I was particularly drawn towards the firm’s multi-specialist approach. Completing the vacation experience scheme afforded a useful insight into how this approach translates into day-to-day work and more broadly the culture at Slaughter and May. The people I interacted with were welcoming and approachable, which I found refreshing.

How did you find the application process? 

The CV and cover letter provide an opportunity to convey both your personality and enthusiasm, while also serving as a platform to demonstrate strong written communication skills. During my interview, like many prospective trainees, I found the most engaging part of the interview to be the discussion of a commercial article. I was pleasantly surprised by how natural and conversational this felt; the discussion with the partners evolved into an exchange of ideas, which made the experience both intellectually stimulating and enjoyable.

What’s a typical day like as a trainee solicitor in your current seat? 

I am currently in the Tax department, in the second three months of my second seat. It is an excellent department to train in, offering a genuine mix of advisory, contentious (including disputes and investigations) and transactional work, providing trainees with broad and varied experience. I have recently been involved in a particularly complex transaction, which has included tasks such as reviewing key documents, conducting research, and attending negotiations with the opposing side.

Prior to this, I sat in the Financial Regulation team. Although the subject matter was different, the research and analytical skills developed in that seat have proven highly transferable, demonstrating the continuity and progression in training across departments.  For my final two seats, I am sitting in Financing and then Corporate – all trainees at the firm are required to complete a seat in these practice areas. 

As I have progressed through my training contract, I have observed a significant increase in both responsibility and client contact. While working on the complex transaction mentioned earlier, I have taken on the responsibility of communicating key updates to the client, which often requires exercising judgment such as prioritising the most material points, and then clearly explaining these to more senior members of the team. Although there have been periods of extended hours on this project, I have greatly appreciated the team’s transparency in providing advance notice and their recognition of my contributions. 

What part of your job do you enjoy the most? 

Although it may sound somewhat cliché, but I enjoy the fact I’m constantly learning. Rotating through different practice areas ensures a dynamic work environment, exposing me to a diverse range of clients, legal issues, and areas of law. While this is challenging, it also keeps the work stimulating and engaging. Consistent with my seat choices, I particularly enjoy undertaking complex research assignments, meticulously analysing client queries and providing a collective well-considered advice.