MY JOURNEY TO SLAUGHTER AND MAY

I began my journey studying Psychology at the University of Leiden before taking the leap into law with the Law Conversion Course and Legal Practice Course. From there, I secured an in-house training contract with a UK Building Society, which gave me a strong foundation working in legal and regulatory compliance.

Joining Slaughter and May’s Legal, Risk and Compliance team as a newly qualified solicitor felt like a daunting move. The firm’s excellent reputation almost made me hesitate because I didn’t think my background was the ‘typical’ fit. I decided to go for it anyway and submitted my application, and I haven’t looked back since.

From day one, I’ve been trusted with significant responsibility and supported by an incredible team and the wider business. The firm’s Connect mentoring programme - which is available to everyone in Business Services - paired me with a great mentor who helped me navigate the culture and hit the ground running.

One of my proudest moments so far was receiving a promotion in May 2025. This was a milestone that reflects the trust placed in me and the development opportunities I’ve been given. 

MY DAY-TO-DAY

Our team’s role is to safeguard the firm, advising on compliance matters and spotting potential reputational or ethical risks before they become issues.

We field queries on everything from business acceptance and conflicts to confidentiality and anti-bribery and corruption. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do, and we work closely with the lawyers, as well as the Procurement, HR and Technology teams to tackle cross-departmental challenges.

What I enjoy most is the problem-solving. Many of the issues we face are novel, requiring judgement and creative thinking. This keeps the work varied and intellectually challenging and I enjoy working collaboratively to deliver tailored solutions.

I also really enjoy supporting client pitches, and it’s always rewarding to see them succeed, knowing I’ve contributed toward a new client relationship. In addition, I’ve had the chance to work on strategic internal projects, including shaping our AI strategy and strengthening our approach to data governance.

One of my proudest moments so far was receiving a promotion in May 2025. This was a milestone that reflects the trust placed in me and the development opportunities I’ve been given.

INDEPENDENCE OF THOUGHT IN ACTION

One of the firm’s values is ‘independence of thought’, which particularly resonates with me. I genuinely believe the firm values the unique perspective I bring to the table. From the outset, I have felt encouraged to contribute my own ideas and challenge conventional approaches. This is the case regardless of who I am working with and their level of seniority within the firm. 

MY ADVICE TO CANDIDATES

Have confidence in your abilities and take the time to understand your strengths and what motivates you to join. Don’t shy away from your unique experiences as they will make you stand out and bring a fresh perspective to the firm.