As we are now in July, I thought it would be fitting to reflect on my vacation scheme experiences. Today, I am sharing my thoughts and things that I wish I had been told before I participated in the schemes!

Discover a vacation scheme at Jones Day.

One of the crucial skills that all lawyers – aspiring and qualified – must have is good commercial awareness. While you aren’t expected to know everything about the law, you are expected to understand commercial issues that effect law firms as businesses and their clients. When you are reading the news, select a few stories that really interest you and follow them as they progress – this is one way that you can develop your commercial awareness and impress recruiters during your application and interview. Read LCN’s summaries of some of the week’s biggest stories to get you started.

The Law Society of England and Wales has welcomed the Ministry of Justice’s expansion of the Pathfinder family court scheme into the Midlands, while urging the government to ensure the programme delivers meaningful improvements for families.

The Modern Law Awards last week honoured the chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, Diane Burleigh OBE, for her lifetime of achievements in the legal profession.

Hogan Lovells has unveiled the details of its diversity plan, which includes an emphasis on retaining and advancing the careers of women lawyers to ensure greater gender equality among its partners.

The Pupillage Gateway has opened for browsing on 4 March.

You’re in the first year of your law degree and you want to know what you should be doing.

LawCareers.Net is pleased to announce the nominees for the first Student Law Society Awards, sponsored by DWF LLP.

DAC Beachcroft is expanding its apprenticeship programme by recruiting two new legal apprentices into its real estate team.

We know it’s exam time, but how about taking five minutes to glance up and think about what’s swirling around in the commercial world - it may come in handy when you get to interview time. 

BARBRI and Damar Training are urging the government to consider the impact that withdrawing levy funding for some level 7 programmes could have on access to the legal profession.

Former competition lawyer Mia Forbes Pirie has been named UK Independent Mediator 2021 by Corporate International.

Public-spirited lawyers undertaking long, complex cases for free are the only people filling the “gaping holes in the fabric of legal aid”, a High Court judge has said.

Pro bono clinics are under increasing demand for free legal advice, reports the legal charity LawWorks as it calls for people to be given early access to legal help.

What are the liability risks for parent companies and investors when a subsidiary or portfolio company engages in cartel activity?

National firm Shoosmiths has announced a major expansion in training contract recruitment and newly qualified solicitor vacancies.