Slaughter and May is the most unique and traditionally prestigious of the London 'Magic Circle' law firms. Unlike its globalized peers (who have expanded massively via international mergers), 'Slaughters' fiercely guards its elite, highly concentrated London-centric model, relying on a 'Best Friends' network for cross-border work. It is famously the most profitable firm in the UK. The culture is intensely intellectual, somewhat old-fashioned (they eschew time-sheets for some work and maintain a pure lockstep compensation model), and demands 'multi-specialist' lawyers rather than narrow technicians. Interviewing here requires demonstrating absolute academic brilliance, extreme commercial common sense, and a highly collegiate, non-arrogant personality.