Magic circle law firms Allen & Overy, Freshfields and Linklaters have announced their partner promotions for 2021, with some positive signs that the firms are working to rebalance their male-dominated partnerships.

Merry Christmas from the LawCareers.Net team! Here are five tips for what you can do over the Christmas period to improve your legal career. Plus some outtakes!

Many law firms, in-house legal departments and other organisations including the Government Legal Department have become the founding signatories of the Law Society’s Pro Bono Charter. 

As universities plan to hike tuition fees, some firms are to review the financial assistance on offer to their future trainees.

Linklaters, RPC and Taylor Wessing have revealed high trainee retention rates as we emerge from covid-19-induced lockdowns. 

Top law firms have announced their autumn retention rates, following the lead of Shearman & Sterling which revealed in June that it would keep on 11 of its 12 NQs.

Six leading law firms are set to attend the third annual OPEN event for disabled students who are interested in a career in commercial law.

International firms Herbert Smith Freehills and Hogan Lovells are moving to encourage more experienced women lawyers who are on extended career breaks to return to practice.

Kaim Todner, an eminent London criminal defence firm, is to close this month.

UK businesses, including law firms, are to be ranked on their openness to talent from all backgrounds in a joint initiative by the Social Mobility Foundation and Social Mobility Commission. 

Tooks Chambers - the set of Michael Mansfield QC - has decided to begin the process of dissolution as the "direct result of the government's legal aid policies".

This week we witnessed Joe Biden’s inauguration at the US Capitol, as he was sworn in as the 46th US president and Kamala Harris was sworn in as vice-president. Read on for this week’s summaries of a selection of news stories from the business and legal worlds.

Mmm, chocolate! Very soon, one of our most recognisable and iconic chocolates is going to have a slight identity change.

‘To moot or not to moot?’ is the question asked by law students at various stages of their legal education. From first years on the LLB to those undertaking the Graduate Diploma in Law, chances are you will have heard of mooting competitions or societies. If you’re anything like me, you will have also felt a shiver of intimidation whenever the topic is even brought up. For those who have yet to participate, a good starting point is to outline exactly what a moot is.

Since the pandemic, there’s been a sudden urge for students to apply to study a legal master’s. Although this includes those looking to study non-law-related master’s, aspiring lawyers are commonly torn between whether to complete a master’s or not. Many question a master’s applicability in the legal profession and if it will improve their chances of gaining a pupillage or training contract.

What does the Bribery Act 2010, in its current incarnation, mean for UK businesses?

Early careers advisor Marcus Ketley outlines how you can make a successful application for TLT LLP, including advice on the research required and the skills the firm is looking for in its future trainees. 

Partner Kay Hobbs heads up TLT’s corporate clean energy team in Bristol. She shares her career journey and offers useful advice to trainees and future lawyers about building a legal career.

TLT LLP has introduced a new diversity access programme, Beyond, aiming to eliminate barriers to entry into the legal profession for aspiring lawyers from ethnic minority backgrounds and improve diversity in early careers.