Lead in to Law

development programme
Lead in to Law

Slaughter and May is committed to reaching talented students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and building their confidence, aspirations and understanding of routes into the legal profession. Lead in to Law is a bespoke legal development programme designed to fulfil this commitment.

The programme

Lead in to Law is a two-year development programme for Year 12 and 13 students interested in a legal career in a commercial law firm. It is run in partnership with diversity specialists Rare and offers 20 spaces every year.

The programme is free to students and includes:

  • a launch event in February 2027 at the Slaughter and May office in London;
  • one to one personalised support throughout the programme from the Rare team with UCAS preparation, personal statements and/or solicitor apprenticeship applications;
  • a chance to hear from students at top tier universities;
  • two work insight placements at the Slaughter and May office in London, in August and October 2027;
  • a Year 13 revision tips session at the Slaughter and May office in London in February 2028;
  • a graduation event in July 2028; and,
  • the option to be matched with a Slaughter and May mentor at the end of the programme to support you in the next stage of your career.

Students are expected to attend and engage with all aspects of the programme.

As part of the Lead in to Law programme, you will receive:

  • Payment: You will be paid the London Living Wage for your attendance at the in-person elements of the programme.
  • Travel Expenses: Your travel expenses will be covered by Slaughter and May. If you live outside of London, your train ticket can be bought in advance by Rare. If you live within the London travel network, you will be able to claim your travel expenses after your attendance.
  • Clothing Allowance: You will be paid an allowance of £130 prior to starting the programme to support with professional dress costs.
  • Meals: Snacks and refreshments will be provided for all in-person placements and lunch will be provided for full day elements of the programme.
About Slaughter and May

Slaughter and May is a prestigious, international law firm widely recognised for its commercial awareness, strength of client relationships and quality of advice. It acts on the most high profile, groundbreaking and complex cases requiring first-class legal expertise.

The firm has 115 partners and 1,500 employees worldwide, with offices in London, Brussels, Beijing and Hong Kong.

Who can apply?

To be eligible for the programme, students must:

  • be in Year 12 at a UK state school and have always attended a state-funded, non-fee-paying school or college;
  • be based in London, Greater London or within a reasonable commuting distance of the Slaughter and May office in Moorgate;
  • have achieved at least five GCSEs at grades 6 – 9.
  • and meet at least one of the following criteria:
    • eligible for free school meals between the ages of 11 and 16;
    • first generation in their family to attend university (eg. grew up in a household where no parent/guardian had attended university);
    • have experience of another form of social disadvantage (e.g. experience in local authority care, asylum seeker or refugee status, caring responsibilities);
    • a main household earner whose occupation is categorised as routine or manual;
    • have experience of academic disadvantage (e.g. attending a low performing school).

Accessibility and adjustments

We welcome applications from students with disabilities, long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, or other additional needs. If you require any accessibility support or reasonable adjustments during the application process or programme, please contact Rinre Olusola at rinre.olusola@rarerecruitment.co.uk and we will be happy to discuss how we can support you.

How to apply

To apply for a place on Lead in to Law, please complete the application form below. Applications close on Sunday 25th October 2026 at 23:59.

Phone interviews for shortlisted applicants will take place in November, and all applicants will be informed of their outcomes by the end of December 2026.

If you have any questions about the work experience placement, please contact Rinre Olusola: (Rinre.Olusola@rarerecruitment.co.uk)

To apply, please click the button below:

 

Apply here