John is a partner in the global financial markets practice. His journey at Clifford Chance began with a slightly different route. Before transitioning to commercial law, he practiced as a barrister in crime and contract law. Here, John talks about why transitioning to commercial law and pursuing his career at Clifford Chance was a challenge worth taking on. 

This webinar discusses commercial awareness - what it really means and how to develop it.

I am constantly trying to improve my commercial awareness and decided that it was time to vlog about it! Join me as I share what the term means to me and the ways in which I stay commercially aware.

Contracting out of the judicial process: why do parties choose to arbitrate their disputes?

The University of Westminster Law Society launched its commercial awareness competition on 12 May 2025, with this year’s focus on the important role AI is playing in the legal sector. 

Students from BPP Law School, The City Law School and the University of Law will be competing in the first Young Legal Minds commercial negotiation competition on Monday 14 October.

I was in your position once, and it’s daunting. I didn’t have a clue what a law firm career would be like or whether I’d be suited to it or it to me. I didn’t realise that what I’d learned in my law degree, at law school or even training at a law firm wouldn’t equip me with some of the skills that mattered most to surviving and thriving in such a complex, opaque and demanding world.

Law firms will often stress that their lawyers need to be 'commercially aware'. This phrase often causes confusion as it means different things to different people. However, in essence, it means that commercial lawyers deal with more than just the law.  

Law firms will often stress that their lawyers need to be 'commercially aware'. This phrase often causes confusion as it means different things to different people. However, in essence, it means that commercial lawyers deal with more than just the law.  

The LawCareers.Net Training & Recruitment Awards celebrated their 10th year with over 200 recruiters, partners, trainees and other friends joining the LawCareers.Net team for a chic riverside reception at the Design Museum, Shad Thames.

There’s a lot to love about the HBO series Game of Thrones (final season notwithstanding). Fans will argue that the finest scenes, including the trial of Tyrion Lannister, culminated in a passionate demand for trial by combat. It might surprise you to hear that trial by combat was a real thing that happened in medieval Britain.

Is working from home here to stay?

Paralegals can undertake almost all the same activities as a solicitor, with a few exceptions known as ‘reserved activities’. The best way to get started is to complete an Ofqual recognised paralegal qualification. There are quite a variety on offer and the key to choosing the right one for you is working out why you want to enrol in such a qualification.

Part of applying to law firms involves talking to qualified solicitors and trainees - either at open days and events, or by reaching out to them on LinkedIn. As many of my teachers and mentors have advised me, contacting individuals at a firm you want to apply to is a great way to not only get an insight into the firm and their culture, but also gain a better understanding of how to tailor your application.

Is there a difference between private equity and venture capital?

One thing I didn’t consider when pursuing a career in law is whether I was prepared to sacrifice ‘me time’.

Is it possible for solicitors to have a good work/life balance? And if I start a family, are there part-time or term-time options? 

What’s the 'authentaverse' and how could it be used to reduce digital fraud?