Slaughter and May - A Comprehensive Overview

Slaughter and May is one of the UK's leading law firms, with a rich history dating back to 1889. Founded by William Slaughter and George May, the firm has since grown to become a global player in the legal industry.

The firm's history is marked by significant milestones, including its involvement in some of the most high-profile cases in UK history. One notable example is the firm's representation of the British government in the 1970s, during which they played a key role in shaping the country's trade policies.

Slaughter and May's commitment to excellence is evident in its impressive client list, which includes some of the world's largest and most respected companies. The firm's expertise in areas such as corporate law, dispute resolution, and financial regulation has made it a go-to choice for businesses looking to navigate complex legal landscapes.

The firm's London office is its largest and most prominent, with a team of over 300 lawyers working together to deliver exceptional results for clients.

Slaughter and May is a law firm that has been involved in some high-profile cases and transactions. The firm advised HM Treasury during the 2008 financial crisis on recapitalising and stabilising UK Banks.

They also advised New England Sports Ventures (now Fenway Sports Group) in their £300m takeover of Liverpool F.C. in 2010, which was a significant deal in the sports industry.

One notable transaction was the high-profile joint venture between GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis, which received the 2015 Deal of the Year award by Financial News. This deal showcased the firm's expertise in handling complex transactions.

The firm was involved in advising Carillion on asset sales, rescue bids, and restructuring in 2017-2018. This was a challenging period for the construction company, which ultimately went into liquidation.

In 2019, Slaughter and May advised Prudential plc and M&G plc on the demerger of M&G from Prudential. This demerger was a significant move in the financial sector.

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, the firm advised HM Treasury on the government's emergency corporate covid financing facility (CCFF). The CCFF aimed to boost the liquidity of companies by purchasing commercial paper.

Here are some of the notable clients and cases Slaughter and May has advised on:

Slaughter and May is a full service corporate law firm that's renowned for its expertise in various practice areas. It has a strong reputation for advising clients on high-profile, complex M&A transactions.

The firm's corporate/M&A practice is considered one of its biggest assets, with a leading position in high-value M&A deals. It's ranked in Band 1 by Chambers for the highest-value M&A deals.

Slaughter and May also has a leading banking and finance department, ranked in Band 1 by Chambers for its advice to borrowers on big-ticket deals. Its financial crime and regulatory practice is also highly regarded.

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May is a special month for our firm, as it marks the anniversary of our founding. We were established on May 15th, 2005.

Our team has a tradition of celebrating this milestone with a company-wide event, which usually takes place on the first Friday of May.

In May, we also recognize the contributions of our long-time employees, who have been with us for over 10 years.

Chambers is the most highly-regarded provider of law firm rankings in the legal industry. It's the go-to source for evaluating a law firm's strengths.

Chambers rankings are based on a banding system, with law firms ranked from 1 (highest) to 6 (lowest) across various practice areas. This gives a clear idea of a firm's performance.

Being ranked in any band at all is considered a significant achievement, a testament to a firm's expertise and reputation.

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Slaughter and May competes directly with the rest of the Magic Circle for the biggest mandates on UK deals.

The limited international footprint of Slaughter and May means clients will often prefer its Magic Circle rivals for global matters where they want a 'one-stop shop'.

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Slaughter and May is a general partnership, which means it doesn't have to publicly file its accounts.

The firm's 2023/34 revenue was estimated to be £625 million, making it the 15th biggest law firm in the UK by revenue.

Slaughter and May's profit per equity partner (PEP) is estimated to be around £3.5 million.

The average profit per equity partner (PEP) is the total amount of profit available for distribution among equity partners, divided by the number of equity partners at the firm.

This represents the average amount that equity partners are entitled to, but some will receive significantly more, some less, depending on the firm's profit-sharing formula and each partner's seniority.

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To get a training contract at Slaughter and May, you'll need to submit an initial application, which includes an online form, CV, and one-page covering letter. Keep it formal and to the point, as one of the firm's trainees advises.

The firm starts receiving applications for summer work experience schemes in autumn, and it's a good idea to get in early, as interviews are scheduled on a rolling basis. You can even interview for a training contract during your placement, but be aware that you won't be given special treatment over direct applicants.

Slaughter and May takes on around 95 trainees each year, who complete four seats in different departments, each lasting six months. All trainees must complete at least two seats in the Corporate/M&A and Finance departments.

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Some notable attorneys and alumni include Steve Edge, Alan Grieve, Giles Henderson, Simon Clarke, Ivo Stourton, Chris Jenkins, Seema Kennedy, Charles Randell, William Watson, and David Green.

These individuals have made significant contributions to their fields and serve as a testament to the quality of training and recruitment at the institution.

Steve Edge and Alan Grieve, for example, are both well-known for their work in the legal field.

Here is a list of some of the notable attorneys and alumni:

To get a training contract at Slaughter and May, start by checking the firm's website for application deadlines. Applications typically begin with an online form, CV, and one-page covering letter.

Slaughter and May starts receiving applications for its summer work experience schemes in autumn, and it's worth getting in there early as the firm schedules interviews on a rolling basis. This is a great opportunity to get a foot in the door and potentially interview for a training contract during the last week of your placement.

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On academics, Slaughter and May is looking for both good A-levels and a strong 2:1 degree. This is a key factor in their selection process, so make sure you're on top of your game.

The firm receives around 3,500 applications each year for 85 training contracts, making it a highly competitive process. To stand out, you'll need to show that you can think laterally and come up with new solutions to problems.

Slaughter and May takes on around 95 trainees each year, who complete four seats in different departments, each lasting six months. All trainees must complete at least two seats in the firm's Corporate/M&A and Finance departments.

To succeed at interview, demonstrate your ability to show grit under pressure and have a range of interests outside the law. This will help you stand out from the crowd and show the firm that you're a well-rounded candidate.

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