Sienna studied Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge and joined the firm as a trainee in March 2026.
Why did you apply to Slaughter and May?
Beyond its reputation for excellence, one of the main reasons I applied to Slaughter and May was its people. The firm hosted an event at my university, which I attended before applying and thoroughly enjoyed, and which left me with the impression that the firm values its people just as highly as the quality of its work.
The firm’s way of working also set Slaughter and May apart as a firm which prioritises collaboration over competition. Since joining the firm, that impression has only been reinforced. Everyone in my team has been generous with their time, and my supervisor has consistently welcomed my questions and thoughts on both the tasks at hand and on our transactions more broadly. That openness is a great reflection of the culture fostered, in part, by the firm’s approach to billable hours.
The firm’s way of working also means that even within a single seat, I have been exposed to a broad range of work, making the training contract an enjoyable challenge.
What’s a typical day like as a trainee solicitor in your current seat?
As a trainee sitting in Corporate, every day looks different. Most of my matters have been private M&A deals, and the tasks involved depend on the stage of the transaction. At the outset, typical tasks include setting up a documents list, conducting due diligence, and drafting parts of the client-facing due diligence report. Researching aspects of company law, drafting ancillary transaction documents, and proofreading the main transaction documents are very typical as a deal progresses, and at closing stages trainees usually take responsibility for managing the signing process.
Even as a first seat trainee, I am given enough responsibility to make meaningful contributions to the transactions I work on. For example, I have had the opportunity to draft first cuts of key transaction documents and carry out legal research that has influenced the structure of transactions or formed the basis of advice delivered directly to clients. Some late nights are to be expected, especially when a transaction is nearing signing, but I have loved working collectively with the rest of the team and the shared sense of achievement upon signing make the late nights and hard work more than worthwhile.
What part of your job do you enjoy the most?
The part of the job I enjoy most is working alongside people whose talent and high standards continually motivate me to improve. Learning from some of the best lawyers has been invaluable and has made every day an opportunity to develop both technically and commercially.
I have also really enjoyed participating in outreach events and sharing my insights with aspiring solicitors from different backgrounds, including as part of a mentorship scheme. The summer socials and monthly get togethers are equally enjoyable and a great way to build relationships with colleagues.
What has been your most memorable experience so far during your training contract?
My first signing, in the early hours of a Tuesday morning following a bank holiday weekend spent working towards completion, has been my most memorable experience so far. I had been working on the transaction from the very outset and felt immensely proud to have been part of the team that carried it over the line.
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