MY JOURNEY TO SLAUGHTER AND MAY

My journey to Slaughter and May began unexpectedly, when a recruiter approached me while I was consulting for a similar firm. At the time, I was new to the legal sector, having previously worked across retail, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and insurance. As I delved deeper into the world of law, Slaughter and May quickly captured my attention as a firm I aspired to join, recognising its reputation and the calibre of work it undertakes.
 
My enthusiasm for technology started from a young age, when I helped customers at my parents’ internet café in the 1990s. Even without formal training, regular customers often remarked that I had a “knack with technology”, a compliment that still resonates with me.
 
Since joining Slaughter and May over seven years ago, my career has flourished. I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with talented colleagues on a range of projects and transformative technology initiatives. Each project has offered fresh challenges and learning opportunities, continually inspiring me to push boundaries and contribute to the firm’s ongoing success.

MY DAY-TO-DAY

As the Quality Assurance Manager within the Business Systems team in Technology, I am responsible for making sure that all new technology initiatives at the firm meet the high standards expected. My team and I work collaboratively with a range of Business Services teams, supporting everything from major technology implementations to smaller projects, all with the goal of enabling all colleagues to work more efficiently within their respective areas of expertise.

The culture at Slaughter and May is defined by a commitment to excellence and a continual drive for improvement. Collaboration is at the heart of the team's approach, with everyone dedicated to working together to achieve the best possible outcomes. One of the ongoing challenges has been balancing the need to transform quickly in response to rapid technological change, while still ensuring that every solution delivered meets the stringent quality requirements of both our colleagues and the wider business.

Slaughter and May truly value personal growth, so embracing the opportunity to join means you’ll be supported to reach your full potential—no matter your background or experience.

CROSS-COLLABORATION AND DRIVING CHANGE

One of the most significant highlights of my career at the firm has been my involvement in the Aurora transformation programme. This ambitious initiative saw us replace the firm’s legacy system ‘Datatree’ (a unique, purpose-built practice management system, covering finance, compliance and legal operations) with a carefully selected set of top-quality applications, impacting virtually every department within the organisation.

While I had previously led a similar transformation at another large legal firm, my experience as part of the technology management team during the Aurora programme was uniquely rewarding. The sheer scale of the project meant that it reached into multiple areas of the business, requiring extensive cross-collaboration between various disciplines. Witnessing colleagues from different backgrounds unite with a shared purpose and collective goal was truly inspiring, and it reinforced my belief in the power of teamwork and collaboration to drive the firm forward and help us achieve excellence together.

MY ADVICE TO CANDIDATES 

My advice to any candidates who are considering a career at the firm is to apply regardless of any apprehension you may have. 

Slaughter and May truly value personal growth, so embracing the opportunity to join means you’ll be supported to reach your full potential - no matter your background or experience. By taking that first step, you’ll find yourself working alongside passionate professionals who are committed to excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement, all within a culture where collaboration and mutual respect are central to everything we do.