We’re keeping the news round-up Brexit-less this week and focusing on commercial issues elsewhere – including the new Britbox online streaming service launched by the BBC and ITV to rival Netflix, and struggling fashion retailers Laura Ashley and Ted Baker.

In this LCN Says, we speak to Rona Ankrah from Mayer Brown International LLP about building commercial awareness. Read this article for insights on how you can demonstrate commercial awareness in interviews, how Mayer Brown helps trainees to develop their commercial awareness and how Rona approaches learning about clients’ businesses.

International firm Ropes & Gray has launched a new contextual, CV-blind trainee recruitment process aimed at reducing unconscious bias to ensure that all applicants are assessed on their merits, not their backgrounds.

Ropes & Gray International LLP has confirmed that its deadline for training contact applications is now 22 August 2014.

In this Meet the Lawyer, finance associate Hoey Lee outlines the different stages of a finance deal, cross-team collaboration and the benefits of being part of a small trainee cohort.

Maya Shah, senior early careers specialist at Ropes & Gray, outlines what the firm wants to see from candidates in their applications and at interview, as well how the firm is adopting the SQE and what candidates can expect from the vacation scheme. 

Ropes & Gray’s newly-qualified solicitors will continue to earn a minimum of £130,000 this autumn, including the five trainees being retained who are qualifying in September 2020.

The debate over the UK’s energy future has just intensified. At the centre of it all is the Rosebank oil field, the largest undeveloped oil and gas discovery in UK waters. And now, for the first time, we have a clearer picture of its full climate impact.

General counsel attendees discussed the benefits of hiring an in-house trainee solicitor at a recent roundtable discussion hosted at the Law Society.

Officials have announced plans to remove a recent Banksy mural from the walls of the Royal Courts of Justice, according to Law.com.

If commercial awareness means keeping up with the latest commercial news stories affecting law firms and businesses, then there can be no more timely news than that of the Brexit mayhem currently taking place.

Senior associate Joseph Akwaboa shares insights into his work across commercial, technology and sports law, how he chose the right firm for his career goals, and why both legal and non-legal experience helped shape his journey into the profession.

RPC has announced the expansion of its solicitor apprenticeship programme to London. The international law firm will start training solicitor apprentices in its London office from September 2025 with applications for the scheme now open.