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Apply for Slaughter & May’s Commercial Academy

Slaughter and May are launching a new graduate scheme – the Commercial Academy – an exciting opportunity for graduates looking for a launchpad into a career focussed on business development, legal operations and innovation, or knowledge and learning.

It’s a bespoke scheme that aims to help graduates decide which direction they’d like to take their career.

What does the scheme involve and how does it work?

Emma Walton, Senior Client & Practice Solutions Manager and project lead for the Commercial Academy explained:

“When people think of a career in law, they often think about becoming a solicitor or barrister, but there are many, varied career opportunities within a law firm. The Commercial Academy is designed to give graduates an understanding of the range of opportunities available to them by giving them the chance to work within one of the world’s most highly regarded law firms and alongside some of the sector’s most well-respected professionals.”

The two-year scheme is made up of five ‘seats’, and each graduate will complete four of them. The seats are:

  • Marketing and Communications
  • Business Development
  • Research and Analysis
  • Legal Operations and
  • Knowledge & Learning.

The role and tasks in each seat are specific to each area, but all aim to give graduates an understanding of each discipline and an understanding of what working at a top law firm entails. Training is provided throughout the programme to support development and build a broad business skillset.

The firm is looking for innovative thinkers and the brightest minds, regardless of background or study discipline

Hearing from the firm’s previous graduates

This scheme builds on the previous Business Development and Legal Operations graduate schemes, which started in 2021.

Sophie Hargrave, Digital Data Executive, who graduated from the firm’s first Business Development Academy reflected on her time on the scheme.

“I really enjoyed my time on the Business Development Academy. The best and most unique element was being able to rotate through different teams. Having fallen into working in the Events & Marketing space when I graduated university, the programme gave me the opportunity to take stock of what I wanted to do next and work in roles I hadn’t considered before. I got involved in a range of projects and as a result, graduated into a Digital Data role – which wasn’t something I even knew about at the start of the programme!”

Lottie Dobson, Legal Project Management Coordinator, who graduated from the firm’s first Legal Operations Training Programme said:

“The Legal Operations Training Programme was a fantastic launchpad for my career. Working in a range of different areas gave me the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across the firm, from other members of Business Services to our lawyers, and clients. These relationships gave me a strong foundation when I moved into my permanent role.” 

What does a successful graduate look like?

To be successful in the role, graduates should be confident and willing to challenge, able to think ahead and provide solutions to whatever problems they face, and open to learning and thinking differently. They should also be able to work well with others with different backgrounds and perspectives.

The firm are also looking for candidates who:

  • Have achieved BBB or higher at A-Level,
  • Are a final year university student or a graduate,
  • If an undergraduate, are on track for a 2:1 degree. If a graduate, have a minimum of a 2:1 degree,

Exceptional circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The firm is looking for innovative thinkers and the brightest minds, regardless of background or study discipline. The firm uses the Rare Contextual Recruitment System as part of the application process, to help identify high-potential candidates by putting applicants’ grades and achievements in the context of their social and educational background.

How to apply

Candidates should complete an application form on the firm’s careers site before Friday 3 January 2025. You can apply here.

The application form will require answers to two questions designed to test candidate’s skills as well as their motivations for joining the Commercial Academy. Candidates may also be required to complete online skills assessments and shortlisted candidates will be invited to an in-person assessment centre in April 2025.

For more information visit the Slaughter and May website here.

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