Slaughter and May

Formal Training

9.0 / 10
53 reviews
How would you describe the training programmes offered at your firm? What skills have you picked up as a result of this training?
2012 Reviews

  • In 9 months, I have attended around 80 training sessions. I am not sure how that compares against similar firms, but it's pretty intensive. Slaughters has a habit of giving us say, PSC training, and then following up with its own bespoke version to build on/consolidate the subject. As a result, we get a lot of exposure to the stuff that matters most.

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  • The training is very well organised, and the firm makes a clear commitment to training. There are soft skills sessions on confidence and presentation skills, and legal sessions on a wide variety of relevant topics. The departments also provide specialised training for their own trainees, such as in dispute resolution or real estate.

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  • Partners are heavily involved in training sessions; training sessions run both for all trainees in a certain department and on a department by department level; quality is generally outstanding.

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  • Huge range of legal and non-legal training available. Also free language classes.

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  • There are various training sessions run for all trainees (on legal and commercial topics) and run by the individual groups. There is also comprehensive IT training during induction week and bespoke training sessions are offered on particular areas you might need to develop (such as Excel or Powerpoint).

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  • We get a huge amount of high quality training, often from partners who are experts in the field.

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  • As well as seat specific training in relevant legal matters, the firm provides training in important commercial matters and personal skills such as presentation and advocacy.

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  • The firm runs the PSC sessions as well as Training in Practice Sessions (often led by partners) which give insight into the area of law in which you are sitting. There are also interesting firm-wide training sessions and department-specific sessions (often led by associates) which give more practical insight into doing the job day-to-day.

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  • Very thorough grounding in legal issues to consider in various departments, as well as expertise which a lawyer should have at their fingertips, as well as accounting training, presentation training and training to build confidence in how to deal with difficult situations.

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  • The training at Slaughters is incredible. Such a relief that they basically do the entire LPC again taught by partners and outstanding PSLs with real deal examples and time for questions.

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  • Compared to friends' experiences at other firms, I think the training here is excellent. We have a really packed training schedule which can prove a bit of a pain when you're busy with work but it has proven really useful in practice on several occasions. It also means you're collecting a bank of knowledge in areas you don't know about which is key in light of the multi-specialist nature of this place. We've also have confidence training, presentation training, financial awareness training and other training that isn't purely legal, most of which is pretty interesting.

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2011 Reviews

  • There is a great deal of training, most of which is compulsory. The training is of a very high quality and supervisors ensure that trainees are mostly able to attend (unless there is some very urgent work). Training records are monitored closely and it is taken very seriously. Training covers legal topics as well as accounting, commercial awareness, communication skills and advocacy.

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  • There are various streams of training; some are for trainees only, and some are for the whole department. There are PSC sessions which are deemed compulsory by the SRA but the firm also runs a very extensive training programme tailored to the seat in which you are currently sitting, i.e. For your six months in corporate you will attend various training sessions specifically on corporate issues, which enhances the experience and capitalises on your time in the department because you are learning much more quickly. Most departments organise a programme of presentations given by trainees so that by the time you qualify you feel comfortable speaking and expressing your opinions amongst those more senior than you, which facilitates better team work on a transaction. There are also various other training sessions organised such as presentational skills, communication skills and negotiating. Firm-wide there are regular industry update sessions, firm-wide training sessions on topical issues and lunchtime cultural talks. Almost all trainee training sessions are led by partners so as trainees we are taught by the people actually doing the deals day-to-day and benefit from their years of experience and expertise. Departmental training sessions are led by both partners and associates.

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  • The training programme here is seriously good; there is a lot of training and it is well thought out and extensive. In addition to training required by the SRA, the firm offers specialised department training for trainees in each seat, and there are regular outside speakers who generally offer updates in their specialist subject to anyone in the firm who is interested. I have been able to attend the majority of my scheduled training sessions.

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  • The training sessions here are excellent; I constantly refer to them during my seat and find them useful in my day-to-day work. There is also a lot of training to cover most aspects of the work carried out, so that trainees can be exposed to tricky concepts and familiarise themselves with it in their own time, making working life that little bit easier I would say.

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  • This is a real strength of the firm. It's taken seriously, we're treated like adults and it is top quality. A lot of our training is given by partners, which makes a difference. I've found I've had sufficient time to attend and where work commitments have been really pressing, I've just excused myself. The range of training and balance is probably just about right. There's a lot of legal stuff – core ‘Trainee in Practice Sessions’ covering takeovers, rights issues, commercial contracts, etc., Specialist training from groups you're in and a bit of ‘soft skills’ stuff, like communication skills. The latter are particularly well handled (for someone who doesn't really enjoy presenting) – you're in small groups and they try to encourage you. In general, I've found the training to be relevant (e.g., They adapt the accounts training to the stuff lawyers do).

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  • Very good legal training opportunities if you want them. On the non-legal side, language lessons are available.

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  • Training programmes are v. Well organised – they are taken seriously. If you are too busy to attend, they are recorded and you are able to watch online.

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  • Training programmes are very good – comprehensive programme on a firm-wide basis, and also within groups. Different levels of associates also have specific training. Some is specifically allotted times and is compulsory. Other training is optional and can be tricky to fit in.

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  • Excellent, and support lawyer training programme has also recently been developed.

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  • Lip service is paid to legal and non-legal training but it is not always easy to get away to training sessions. There is good range of outside and internal speakers on legal topics and on non-legal topics when solicitors are involved in particular non-legal training programmes.

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  • Training is generally very good and held regularly. There is not enough emphasis on soft skills/business development training for junior lawyers.

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  • Training is one aspect that the firm excels at.

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  • Training is very thorough, very serious, frequent and well-prepared. It’s mostly legal, but with the occasional focus on soft-skills and usually discussion of how to relate information to/deal with clients.

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2010 Reviews

  • Well organised, good variety of training sessions and most training sessions are videoed so if missed, can catch up at a more convenient time.

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  • Training is very thorough. Each seat has a well designed programme of training sessions to ensure the most is taken from each rotation.

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  • Training is taken seriously and is only given by partners and senior associates, not NQ’s who don't have a clue. It is well organised by HR.

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  • The training you receive is extensive and varied. It is made absolutely clear that training takes priority over almost any other work.

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  • A lot of legal training. Some new, some recapping on LPC subjects. Firm-wide training also available. Also training on presentations, professional conduct etc.

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  • Well organised; well attended; taken very seriously; you make time to attend; also available to view on intranet and some even on podcasts. Training is a big thing for the firm.

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  • Extensive training programme so that you are constantly learning and picking up the skills required. Very supportive training environment.

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  • Extremely good selection of training programmes, with regular sessions for trainees. Clocked 112 hours of training within first corporate seat.

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  • Trainee training was hit and miss–sometimes good, sometimes off the mark. Associate training is superb–very practical and flags rather than delves into legal issues (which is efficient).

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  • The firm's in-house training is really well organised, varied in subject matter, and a vital part of our training contract. The sessions are thoroughly enjoyable and very beneficial.

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  • Very extensive. At the early points of your training contract you could easily be in training sessions twice a week. It does ease off a bit later on.

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  • Extensive legal training. Less training for softer skills.

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  • The firm offers training on skills such as drafting and research as well as legal knowledge. There are also sessions on very helpful topics such as building up confidence and communication. IT training is also available.

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  • I doubt there is any city firm that has as much or as varied training sessions available and "forces" partners to give sessions. At least, if there is another comparable firm they are unlikely to take associate attendance as seriously.

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  • A lot of training programmes, both trainee specific and firm-wide covering all aspects of the job–communication, team work and legal training in a commercial context.

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  • The formal training programme cannot be faulted and is one of the main reasons I joined Slaughters. You are encouraged to attend as many training sessions as possible in all areas of law in order to be as rounded a lawyer as possible. At 3PQE there is a soft skills training programme of courses designed to help you progress to being a senior associate…

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  • The firm's formal training programme is excellent and is broken down into firm-wide training, trainee training and departmental training, to ensure that all bases are covered. Much of the training is pitched at improving lawyers' knowledge of black letter law and their commercial awareness but I have also picked up useful skills in respect of public speaking and negotiating from my training sessions.

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  • Extensive training, which includes mandatory and optional. Sometimes too much training, but as a whole the training is well structured and beneficial.

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  • Training is first-rate.

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  • Loads of training, all very high quality.

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  • Many training programmes which you can attend or watch online later.

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  • Training is constantly provided, and is something the firm is very good at. During the training contract, the focus is on building motivated professionals and laying the foundations–as a qualified solicitor, it is about fostering that professionalism and developing your knowledge.

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  • …Excellent training at group, trainee-wide, and firm level. They are meticulous about training and it is probably the thing that attracted me to the firm most. I would like more non-legal training because I think that's a bit under-represented but overall the standard is very high indeed.

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  • There are firm-wide training events, and department-wide training. Sometimes lawyers will attend external training if it is useful...

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