Spring Forward programme 2027

Slaughter and May • Work Experience • London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom • from £550 / week • 5h ago

Eligibility: First year law students (and second year law students on a four-year degree) from lower socio-economic and/or ethnic minority backgrounds

Application deadline: 6 January 2027

Our Spring Forward programme

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.

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 Spring Forward programme is for first year law students (and second year law students on a four-year degree) from lower socio-economic and/or ethnic minority backgrounds.

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, attach a CV and answer three short questions. You can find out more about the application process and what we are looking for here.

Applications close on 6 January 2027 and all offers will be made after the closing date.

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.

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.