Key questions
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about a career in the law.
What is commercial awareness?
Why should I choose law over other professions? Don’t pursue a legal career for the sake of it or because you’ve heard
Law firms want their lawyers to be ‘commercially aware’,
but what does this mean? In essence, lawyers deal with more than just the law. They must understand their clients’ business/personal circumstances and the market/environment in which they operate. Commercially aware lawyers are proactive in spotting and suggesting solutions to potential problems for the client. As a student, you’re not expected to be an expert – commercial awareness at this level isn’t the same as for an experienced lawyer. What firms are looking for is a combination of basic knowledge, common sense, interest and enthusiasm for commercial matters, and, most importantly, the ability and willingness to ‘think business’.
that it pays well; you must have a passion to be a lawyer in order to succeed. Do you find law interesting? Is there a particular area of law that has already caught your attention? Are you the kind of person who would thrive in a legal environment? The only way to really find out whether law is for you is by doing some work experience, both legal and non-legal.
What skills and strengths do you need to be a good lawyer? Several core skills are needed to
be a good lawyer – many of them you can hone through your academic studies and work experience. The strengths that legal recruiters look for include: • intellectual ability;
How important are grades at A level and university? Law is an intellectually rigorous career, which is why some firms
• motivation; • resilience; • accuracy/attention to detail;
and chambers require excellent academics. It’s therefore important that you get the best grades you possibly can. That said, many firms are adopting contextual recruitment to look beyond grades to assess academic potential and identify candidates they may otherwise miss.
• teamwork; • leadership; • commercial awareness; and • communication skills. If you have the majority of these, law could be a good choice for you!
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