Hear from Sarah Warnes, Cooley (UK) LLP’s trainee recruitment and legal talent manager, as she outlines the firm’s recruitment processes, what Cooley wants to see from applicants and more in this Meet the Recruiter interview. 

Another week and another commercial round-up summarising the latest coronavirus developments.

What do you know about entering the legal profession via an apprenticeship? While the concept of an apprenticeship isn’t new, there are a few misconceptions and some confusion that surround them. So, this article aims to demystify the apprenticeship route to qualifying as a solicitor.

How can I be an authentic LGBTQ+ ally?

Looking for an ‘in’? Open days and insight schemes are invaluable opportunities to meet the people that work for the law firms you’re interested in. You’ll learn about life in the organisation, its culture, the work on offer and much more. Plus, if prepped well, it’s your chance to ace that initial interaction, which will set you up nicely for future encounters and could eventually lead to a training contract.

What opportunities are there for commercial real estate lawyers post-covid?

Commercial awareness is one of the key skills that law firms look for in future trainees – taking time to build yours is an essential part of the process of becoming a lawyer.

Diversity within the UK legal sector has long been a topic of conversation among practitioners and students alike. The profession has been heavily criticised for not evolving with society or being representative of the diversity within the UK. Over the past decade, there have been a flurry of initiatives to respond to these deep-rooted issues. However, the crucial question remains, have we made enough progress?

The life sciences sector combines a range of legal practice areas, demanding expert advice from lawyers with detailed knowledge of the relevant trends and innovations in areas including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, healthcare, MedTech, veterinary and food.

How can private investment and global capital markets have a role in tackling climate change?

Commercial awareness is one of the key skills that law firms look for in future trainees so taking the time to build yours is essential to becoming a lawyer.

Commercial awareness is one of the key skills that law firms look for in future trainees so taking the time to build yours is essential to becoming a lawyer.

Commercial awareness is one of the key skills that law firms look for in future trainees so taking the time to build yours is essential to becoming a lawyer.

Iffat Hussain outlines the importance of DWF’s early careers programmes, the skills the firm wants to see from candidates in their applications, the assessment centre structure and more!

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

Expert recruiter – and animal lover – Lucie Rees is understandably proud to have supported so many candidates through their journeys from being wide-eyed students to confident, qualified solicitors and partners. Read her advice for the current generation of aspiring lawyers and gain an insight into the application process – as well as working life – at Watson Farley & Williams.

Yassin provides an insight into her varied work as an associate in the regulatory finance team at Clifford Chance and highlights the opportunities she has been offered since starting as a trainee. 

As members of the Conservative Party battle it out for the role of prime minister (11 candidates and counting), and the Labour Party crumbles from within as it faces an antisemitism probe alongside leading members admitting they voted Lib Dem in last week’s EU elections, the business world keeps turning.

Ravi Pattani, partner at Reed Smith, explains what makes a successful application, the work of a corporate lawyer and how sector agnostics his matters are, and his advice for budding solicitors.