Why is using social media such a challenge for pharmaceutical companies?

One of the crucial skills that all lawyers – aspiring and qualified – must have is good commercial awareness. While you aren’t expected to know everything about the law, you are expected to understand commercial issues that effect law firms as businesses and their clients. When you are reading the news, select a few stories that really interest you and follow them as they progress – this is one way that you can develop your commercial awareness and impress recruiters during your application and interview. Read LCN’s summaries of some of the week’s biggest stories to get you started.

It’s a busy time of year for everyone: LawCareersNetLIVE is just around the corner, universities have been holding their virtual law fairs and aspiring lawyers have application deadlines for vac schemes or training contracts looming. Developing your commercial awareness for these applications and any interviews you might have will be crucial to your success. Start now by reading this week’s commercial news round-up.

Nearly 800 people, as of 6 August, have signed a petition calling for reforms to the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), highlighting mental health concerns and requesting a more transparent process. In response, a Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) spokesperson acknowledged that the SQE is a “demanding, high stakes assessment that gives successful candidates access to a licence to practise” but stated that an “independent reviewer has confirmed it’s a robust and fair” one.  

Will the government review into the discount rate for personal injury claims bring fairer compensation for claimants?

Personal injury (PI) law falls under the law of tort.

Personal injury (PI) law falls under the law of tort.

One in four people still assume a legal professional will be male, despite figures highlighting that women make up a larger proportion of lawyers, according to new research from The University of Law.

Eco towns: more homes, more jobs - but will they save the planet?

High-profile legal challenges against the government were denied legal aid funding after supposedly independent decision makers told government staff about the potentially embarrassing cases being brought against their bosses.

How will auto-enrolment into workplace pension schemes affect us?

Will we be working until we're 100?

Penningtons Solicitors LLP has scored a spot in the top 25 companies for graduates to work for in a survey run by The Job Crowd.

Helen Lewis provides detailed information and advice on full-service firm Penningtons Manches Cooper’s application process and vacation scheme.

Penningtons Solicitors and Manches LLP have announced their merger, effective as of 14 October 2013.

Leading South East firm Cripps and London firm Pemberton Greenish will merge on 1 December to create a leading practice focusing on real estate, private wealth and growing businesses. The merged firm will be ranked in the top 70 of UK law firms with revenues of c£45 million and create a firm of 465 people, including 66 partners.