Slaughter and May Lead in to Law
Slaughter and May
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Want to see if commercial law is for you? Join Slaughter and May’s two‑year Lead in to Law to explore law careers, build confidence, get one‑to‑one UCAS and personal‑statement support, and gain skills to strengthen your path to becoming a solicitor.
Lead in to Law is a two-year legal development programme for Year 12 and 13 students who are interested in pursuing a career in a commercial law firm. It is run by Slaughter and May in partnership with Rare and is designed to support talented students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds by building confidence, aspirations and understanding of routes into law.
The programme includes personalised one-to-one support from the Rare team with UCAS preparation, personal statements and/or solicitor apprenticeship applications. Students also have the chance to hear from students at top-tier universities and to take part in two work insight placements at the Slaughter and May office in London.
There is also a revision tips session for Year 13 students, a graduation event at the end of the programme, and the option to be matched with a Slaughter and May mentor. The programme is free to students.
Participants are paid the London Living Wage for in-person elements, receive covered travel expenses, and are provided with a clothing allowance plus snacks, refreshments and lunch where applicable. Students are expected to attend and engage with all parts of the programme.
25 Oct 2026
Launch event in February 2027
Two work insight placements in August and October 2027
Year 13 revision tips session in February 2028
Graduation event in July 2028
Location
- 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.
- Have been eligible for free school meals between the ages of 11 and 16, or
- Be the first generation in your family to attend university, or
- Have experience of another form of social disadvantage, or
- Have a main household earner whose occupation is categorised as routine or manual, or
- Have experience of academic disadvantage.
Participants are paid the London Living Wage for attendance at the in-person elements of the programme. Travel expenses are covered by Slaughter and May; if you live outside London, your train ticket can be bought in advance by Rare, and if you live within the London travel network you can claim travel after attendance. A £130 clothing allowance is provided before the programme starts, and snacks, refreshments, and lunch are provided for in-person elements as stated.
Free to students.
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