As February draws to a close, and spring is just moments away, let the metaphor of burgeoning life and a fresh new season encourage you to grow your commercial knowledge.

The best commercial lawyers have their fingers firmly on the pulse of the business world. If that is the role to which you aspire, starting to get a grip now on the business and economic news of the day is essential, but it can be hard to know where to start. Look no further.

The legal profession’s use of the ‘BAME’ label to group Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic lawyers has been criticised by chair of the Bar Council, Derek Sweeting QC.

Co-operative Legal Services has announced that it will apply to the Solicitors Regulation Authority to become an alternative business structure on 3 January 2012.

New trainees at DLA Piper are being offered £10,000 to delay starting work until August 2021. Staggered start dates have been implemented at the international firm, which recruits around 70 graduates each year – one of the City’s biggest intakes, according to the Law Gazette.

The Law Society has welcomed the removal of a five-year time limit on evidence of abuse from domestic violence victims. This rule has previously prevented victims from being able to obtain legal aid.

For many, the first week back after the Christmas break can be a trying time, requiring a slow and painful reintegration to the work environment.

In contrast to the Solicitors Regulation Authority's reported plans for England and Wales, the Law Society of Scotland has announced that the minimum pay for trainee solicitors in Scotland cannot go below the national minimum wage of £6.08 per hour.

The Bar Standards Board has confirmed the submission of its application to regulate new business entities to the Legal Services Board, but this will not include alternative business structures.

A global network for crypto-related fraud has been launched by a group of legal industry professionals, including lawyers from Osborne Clarke and RPC, barristers and forensic accountants. 

It’s been a busy start to 2023 for me, which is why I’ve been very quiet over on my socials… I’m thrilled to announce that earlier in January, I moved from Freeths LLP’s Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) team onto its legal assistant programme.

International law firm Gowling WLG has announced that women accounted for 50% of partner and director promotions within the firm over the past two years.

The College of Law will run its two-year LL.B course at its Manchester centre from September 2013.

There’s a bit of an oily theme this week, with news of American crude, talks of a merger between two of the industry’s giants, and a spat over mayonnaise (which, incidentally, is full of oil).

The Law Society welcomed the opening of a ‘super courtroom’ in Loughborough last week.

International firms Herbert Smith and Freehills have announced that they will merge to become the leading firm in the Asia Pacific region, one of the world's fastest growing legal markets.

A decidedly autumnal feel in the air should invoke that "back to school" feeling, sharpening the senses and focusing the mind on the new term ahead. 

City firms Ashurst, Clifford Chance, Herbert Smith Freehills, Slaughter and May, and Travers Smith have teamed up with 34 recruitment agencies to launch the ‘Recruitment Agency Race Fairness Commitment’ in an effort to improve racial diversity in the legal profession.

DWF has announced an exclusive partnership with The College of Law that will see the firm's future trainees study their LPC at the institution from September 2011.

No excuse to slow down just because it’s Friday and the weekend beckons.