Note: it is just over a week until the main training contract application deadline - 31 July - so it is certainly reasonable to be focusing on that right now. 

With the excesses of Easter behind you, it’s time to really commit to the task ahead: developing your commercial awareness and thus significantly improving your chances on the recruitment frontline. Start here with this week’s curated group of topical news stories.

The first LCN Podcast episode of the new year covers what mooting is, how to develop your skills, tips for novice mooters and how to discuss your mooting experience in your applications to legal employers.

US firm Armstrong Teasdale has acquired London-based Kerman & Co in its first overseas venture. The move by the top 200 US firm adds 50 lawyers to its roster, bringing its headcount to roughly 340 fee earners and 300 support staff. 

Global law firm White & Case LLP has set out the plans for its new solicitor apprenticeship offering, with the first cohort joining the firm next year to receive a salary of £32,000. 

The 2016 Law Society Law Management Section Financial Benchmarking Survey has shown that the income of firms has increased for a sixth consecutive year, with a median rise last year of 5.4%. 

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.

LawWorks has announced that nominations for the LawWorks & Attorney General Student Awards 2012 have just opened.

The CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) has been granted regulatory approval and is now open for applicants.

Ropes & Gray announced it will be retaining all its newly qualified (NQ) London-based trainees this month.

The ability of international firms with UK offices to recruit from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) is crucial if London is to remain a leading global centre for legal services, the Law Society has told the independent government advisory body, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).

New reports show that the employment tribunal backlog has risen alarmingly by approximately 28% over the past year, following the introduction of new workers’ rights in the Employment Rights Bill.

Details of a new postgraduate law conversion course to replace the GDL when the Solicitors Qualifying Exam comes into effect in 2021 have been released by BPP University Law School.

There's no getting away from the fact that this week the business pages have been dominated by the "will they, won't they" saga of Greece's financial calamities and possible exit from the European Union.

The College of Law has recently published research that shows that vacancies for training contracts are likely to outnumber new LPC graduates within the next few years.

Although a relatively high proportion of the barristers’ profession is based in London, there are many chambers operating outside the capital, too. 

Birketts LLP, a full-service law firm with office locations across the East of England, London and the South East, eyes plans to develop its international practice by using its City office as a “springboard”.