We know it’s hard to concentrate on life beyond the soporific qualities of the summer holiday, euphoria at England trouncing Australia at cricket and general idleness now that your training contract applications are in.

In a recent speech, Law Society President John Wotton addressed key issues regarding the present and future of the legal profession, claiming that the professional distinction between barristers and solicitors may become a thing of the past.

Magic circle law firm Allen & Overy expanded its offering with a new Los Angeles office earlier this month, after merger talks with international firm O’Melveny & Myers came to an end in September 2019 without a deal.

The SRA has warned that more large law firms may fail over the next few years as a result of gloomy economic conditions, as it confirms that talks are ongoing with over 50 firms where intervention may be necessary in 2013.

The high-level chit-chat taking place between politicians and business leaders in Davos this week at the annual World Economic Forum is expected to cover eight key themes, with delegates looking at robots, gender equality and terrorism.

Magic circle firm Linklaters has revealed plans to move graduate recruitment online this autumn subject to the UK’s lockdown restrictions.

Top law firms have announced their autumn retention rates, following the lead of Shearman & Sterling which revealed in June that it would keep on 11 of its 12 NQs.

Social mobility charity The Aspiring Solicitors Foundation has announced the addition of partners and associates from leading law firms to its board of trustees and new advisory board.

Magic circle firm Clifford Chance launched its Racial Justice Award in October, following the killing of George Floyd and the increased awareness of the Black Lives Matter movement that followed.

Bradford law courts to be one of the first in England to be heated with renewable energy. The courts will be connected to the city’s new eco network, after signing a 20-year deal with Bradford Energy Network. The Combined Court Centre and the Magistrates’ Court are set to save 8,000 tonnes of carbon as a result of the new heat network, which is on track to open in 2026.

In the wake of reports of increasing elitism in the legal profession, magic circle firms Allen & Overy, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Slaughter and May have backed a website designed to boost social mobility.

Another week closer to my vacation scheme, another week full of preparation! As I left off in my previous post, I had a couple of areas that I was hoping to gain insight into throughout the week – primarily, how I'm going to be assessed and how to best come across on a virtual scheme.

How will clean energy power the UK’s future?

How important is online advertising and how is it governed in the United Kingdom?

What role do pensions have to play for the younger generation and how will they operate?

You’re probably all slaving away over your vacation scheme applications and that is as it should be. However, don’t forget that if you do secure an interview, you will be expected to know something about the business world. Keep abreast of what’s going on with our weekly digest.

Legal apprenticeship specialist Damar Training and legal education provider BARBRI have announced a new technology partnership that embeds BARBRI’s learning technology into Damar’s solicitor apprenticeship programmes.  

Global law firm Dentons has launched a new internally developed AI tool, DAISY, which provides secure generative-AI competences to the entire staff across Europe and Central Asia.

A panel of 18 firms and chambers has been set up to provide free legal advice to athletes, coaches, team officials, national Olympic committees, national Paralympic committees and international federations at the 2012 Olympics.

Organisations from across the legal sector, including the Solicitors Regulation Authority will once again be attending the Birmingham and London Pride festivals in a show of support for and celebration of the LGBT community.