The law firm today is where legal, technological and business expertise intersects. As modernisation in business and technology has seen a pivot towards data-driven efficiency, a similar shift within the legal sphere looms. The tradition of ‘gut instinct’ decision-making within law means that the emergence of a results-based approach has dramatically transformative potential.

As a child, the first thing you learn about lawyers – if anything – is that they wear a fancy grey wig, bang their gavels way too often and frequently shout "I object!" in a wide, open courtroom. But there’s so much more to the discipline than that. In fact, when you think about how many branches there are in the field of law, it becomes almost overwhelming.

For many aspiring solicitors interested in the world of commercial law, our assumed trajectory is a two-year training contract with a City firm – where, rotating through several seats, we'll get to grips with the foundations of being a solicitor and explore the various practice areas available to us.

I thought now would be a good time to compile a list of resources I have consistently used these past few months to improve my commercial awareness.

Here's a thorough guide on how to research firms, what to look for and how to get what you're looking for out of your research. Feel free to copy it down, take it apart and add to it as you see fit!

While I have previously talked about technology, today I will consider whether technology is actually detrimental to law firms.

Coming from an English Literature background, I thought writing analytical essays would come easily and naturally to me – after all, it's what I spent the last three years of my life doing. But, as my mock exams have showcased, the distinction between legal analysis and literary analysis is far more stark than I originally assumed. To remedy this, I've decided to go back to the basics – and, in this article, I'll be bringing you with me.

At an open day I attended last year, I partook in my first corporate negotiation workshop. Having only just begun my law conversion course at the time, the encounter was entirely unfamiliar to me. I was surprised at how quickly my peers seemed to be taking to the task − and a bit embarrassed at how little I knew by comparison!

Whether you’re embarking on a career in law or just starting a law degree, a solid foundational understanding of legal research is vital. For law students and aspiring lawyers, understanding how to navigate complex legal documents such as case law, statutes and scholarly works is paramount.

I’ve discussed my experience with the change from first year to second year on LawCareers.Net previously. However, now that I've reached the midway point in my first semester in third year, I’m back to discuss the jump from second to third year. 

This year the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD) fell on Saturday 3 December 2022.

As the academic year draws to a close, you may be considering which optional modules to choose for your next year at university. If you are doing a qualifying law degree, you will have several compulsory modules (namely contract, tort, criminal, land, EU, trusts and some form of public law). As always, my advice here is just based on my personal experiences, and the way that you – or your university – may choose to approach this might be different.

To the surprise of myself and everyone around me (including my professor!), I've really enjoyed my land law module so far this term. The structure and organisation of the module itself, coupled with the range of clients we get to work with in our problem questions – from residents with personal or familial issues, to businesses selling commercial properties – showcased just how varied this area of law can be.

We are approaching the busiest time of year for aspiring lawyers when it comes to applying for insight events, vacation schemes and training contracts. If you are balancing this work with your normal university workload, or even another job, this can be especially stressful. The deadlines seem to be approaching fast, you have done most (if not all) of your research, and now it is time to do the hardest part – actually sitting down and filling out the application forms.

‘Legal tech’ is a term thrown around an increasing amount.

As a non-law conversion student with an English degree, I am often asked questions like: why law? Why the change? Why not study law in the first place?

The world is unfair - 85% of global household wealth is in the hands of 10% of the population.

There are so many ways to maximise your summer without being consumed with law – at least not 24/7. The 2020 summer wasn't exactly what we had strived for, but now as it's time to breathe in a sense of freedom as the lockdown rules begin to ease. 

Given the recent rise in petrol prices, those who invested in electric-powered cars might have escaped the steep petrol price many are suffering from.

When I began applying for vacation schemes, questions about commercial awareness and how to demonstrate this scared me. For most applicants, it can send shivers down our spines as a well-educated solicitor asks us what we know about the commercial world and its implications for the future of the legal sector.