Solicitor Apprenticeship (school leaver) - September 2025 - Slaughter & May

Deadline: 3 January 2025

Eligibility

For applicants who have not yet completed an undergraduate degree

You must have achieved 7 GCSEs at grade 6 or above (including Maths and English) and have achieved or be predicted to achieve AAB at A level. Extenuating circumstances will be taken into account

You must have the right to work in the UK.

When to apply

Applications for our 2025 programme open on Monday 28 October 2024 and close on Friday 3 January 2025

Please note that interviews will take place between 31 March – 17 April. Please ensure that you are available during these dates. 

Attracting the widest and most diverse range of talent to the firm is crucial to our sustained success. Our six-year Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme is designed for bright and motivated school leavers interested in a career in commercial law, and will offer you the breadth of experience and training needed to become a multi-specialist lawyer, equipped to advise on a broad range of legal matters. 

THE SOLICITOR APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME

During your first four years as a Solicitor Apprentice, you will rotate annually through a range of practice areas, which could include Corporate and M&A, Financing, Competition, Disputes and Investigations, Financial Regulation, Pensions, Employment and Incentives, Real Estate, Technology, Digital, Data and IP,  Tax and Sustainability and Climate Change. This will allow you to gain a wealth of knowledge and experience whilst studying at BPP University one day per week towards your undergraduate law degree.

During the final two years of the programme, you will join the trainee rotation, meaning that you will move into one of the above practice areas every six months. You will also attend university one day per week to study for the SQE. Secondment opportunities may be available to apprentices in the latter stages of the apprenticeship programme.

In each seat, you will be supervised by an experienced lawyer who will work with you and our education provider on setting goals and giving exposure to a range of tasks, work and areas of law. You will be actively involved in the work your supervisor and group are handling. Responsibilities and tasks will vary, but you will be an important part of the team straight away. Examples of work range from legal research, drafting, meeting attendance, general matter support and much more. Supervisors will change at seat rotation, meaning you will benefit from working with people across the firm, enhancing your multi-specialist development.

Salary and benefits

• £28,000 in your first year (increasing every year) and a sign on bonus of £3,000
• An optional interest-free loan of up to £3,000
• All your study fees will be paid for and you will be entitled to an extensive benefits package, including 30 days’ holiday per year, private medical insurance, pension scheme, onsite GP services, a variety of wellness benefits and more.

Training and support

Being a successful City lawyer requires more than purely legal knowledge. Our Learning and Development team offers a full and varied training programme which extends beyond legal knowledge training, covering commercial awareness, skills and professional behaviours to ensure you have the tools you need during your apprenticeship. 

How to apply

To apply, please complete the online application and attach your CV.

You will be asked to complete a situational judgement test within 2 days of submitting your application. 

Successful applicants will be invited to attend an interview at our London office.

The interview process will include:

• Written exercise
• Interview with lawyers
• Tour of the office with a trainee solicitor
• HR interview

To find out more, click Apply.