how to be a commercial lawyer

by Mr. Hugh Hansen 7 min read

  • You enjoy working with words. Legal documents tend to be long, complex bodies of text. ...
  • You’re interested in the business world. As well as being an expert in law, you’ll need to be a competent businessperson in your own right. ...
  • You’re good with people. Commercial lawyers need to be good at forming business relationships. ...

Commercial Lawyer Requirements:
  1. Undergraduate degree from a law school.
  2. Licensed to practice law from the State Bar Association.
  3. Diligence and attention to detail.
  4. Creative problem-solving ability.
  5. Good project management skills.
  6. Excellent interpersonal and client-facing skills.
  7. Good written and verbal communication.

Full Answer

What skills do you need to be a commercial lawyer?

The first step towards becoming a corporate lawyer is either completing an undergraduate degree in law or a degree in another subject and then a conversion course. To become a corporate solicitor, you must then take the LPC and obtain a training contract.

How do I start a career in commercial law?

Commercial lawyers are those that deal with commercial and business legal matters. They assist heavily with transactions, documentation and paperwork, but they may also help in other company issues that require motions, actions and issues with the courts. When hiring a commercial lawyer, the person usually owns a business or is a manager of one. These legal professionals are …

How much does a commercial lawyer earn?

Skills needed to be a commercial lawyer. Commercial solicitors need strong research skills and a sense of curiosity. They need to keep up-to-date with and develop a detailed and rounded knowledge of their clients’ industry, and the factors which have a …

What is the meaning of commercial law?

Jun 10, 2019 · A corporate lawyer needs to have a strong communication and negotiation skills, an excellent academic background, the ability to think ‘out-of-the-box’, exceptional analytical skills and meticulous...

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How to become a corporate lawyer?

To be a corporate lawyer, begin by joining a debating society or running for student government to develop your skills in public speaking and communication. Also, consider writing for a student newspaper, because corporate lawyers need to be able to write clearly and well.

What does a corporate lawyer do?

As a corporate lawyer, you will be called upon to handle a variety of legal tasks including corporate taxes, mergers and acquisitions, corporate structure issues, employment law, and government reporting.

What is informational interview?

Conduct informational interviews. Informational interviews provide a unique opportunity to talk with experienced lawyers in the corporate arena. During an informational interview, you will have a conversation with an attorney about their career experiences and about any advice they may have for you.

How to prepare for a law school interview?

Ask the career services office at your law school about these opportunities. You will usually start interviewing during your second year of law school for summer internships and summer associate jobs. To prepare, ask career services about the employers coming in. Do some initial research on the employers and put together an application package. Often , your application package will include your resume, a cover letter, references, and your transcripts. One you have put together your application package, make sure you submit it to the employers on time. If you are chosen for an interview, the employer will usually set up a time to meet with you on campus.

What is included in an application package?

Often, your application package will include your resume, a cover letter, references, and your transcripts. One you have put together your application package, make sure you submit it to the employers on time.

Is the internet a good job?

The internet is a great resource for finding jobs. However, unlike some of the other methods, the jobs you find online are often going to be incredibly competitive because of the volume of responses these employers receive. While you should apply for jobs online, do not stop trying other methods as well.

Can a corporate lawyer pay you for your work?

In a lot of circumstances, corporate lawyers will be happy to offer you work and experience, but they will not be willing or able to pay you for it. While this may be frustrating, offering your services for free can be a great way to gain experience and to build your professional network.

What is a commercial lawyer?

Commercial lawyers are those that deal with commercial and business legal matters. They assist heavily with transactions, documentation and paperwork, but they may also help in other company issues that require motions, actions and issues with the courts. When hiring a commercial lawyer, the person usually owns a business or is a manager of one.

What are the responsibilities of a commercial lawyer?

Duties and Responsibilities of a Commercial Lawyer. Lawyers that have specialized in business law have responsibilities to commercial endeavors. This means that they are obligated to assisting with business transactions and ensuring that deals and arrangements are valid and legal. Many of these duties revolve around contract drafting ...

What is commercial law?

Commercial Law is a broad term for a range of legal services designed to support businesses in making money from their products and services. For example, Intellectual Property (IP) rights are crucial for creative industries and manufacturers to profit from innovation, sales on a domestic and international basis need contracts, ...

What do commercial solicitors need?

Commercial solicitors need strong research skills and a sense of curiosity. They need to keep up-to-date with and develop a detailed and rounded knowledge of their clients’ industry, and the factors which have a bearing on how they do business.

What makes a good commercial lawyer?

Also, good commercial lawyers are great at managing projects, have a vast understanding of corporate law, they are able to understand the details and the bigger picture, exercise great judgment, communicate effectively with the client to ensure everyone is on the same page, understand the goals of the client, and are responsive.

What skills do corporate lawyers need?

A corporate lawyer needs to have a strong communication and negotiation skills, an excellent academic background, the ability to think ‘out-of-the-box’, exceptional analytical skills and meticulous attention to detail. Teamwork is an essential feature of most corporate transactions.

What is the purpose of a corporate lawyer?

The goal of a corporate lawyer is to help his clients in a number of ways: by creating legal options and by providing guidance in decision-making in a commercial context. Corporate lawyers help corporate, industrial and commercial clients to manage their internal processes, ...

What is corporate and commercial law?

Corporate and commercial lawyers are experts in company and business law. They understand the minute differences between legal entities and how to use them for different purposes. They also assist companies in various transactions stemming business operations.

How can I thrive in corporate law?

To thrive in corporate law, you will need to develop exemplary knowledge of business law, current trends and legislative and regulatory developments. Furthermore, you will need to build up a familiarity with corporate and business law in other countries where your clients have operations or are looking to invest.

What is commercial law?

Commercial law is a set of legal rules of private law that apply to legal relationships arising from legal acts, deeds and transactions considered by law as trade deeds, as well as legal relationships in which traders are involved. Corporate and commercial lawyers are experts in company and business law.

What is the importance of teamwork in a corporate transaction?

Teamwork is an essential feature of most corporate transactions. You will work with groups of professionals who share a common objective and therefore your interpersonal and people management skills should be top-notch. A good corporate lawyer is ambitious, thrives on challenges and relentlessly chases their goals.

What is commercial awareness?

Commercial awareness. All law firms are businesses and their work revolves around supporting other businesses in solving commercial issues. This is a non-negotiable and, unfortunately, an area where graduates tend to let themselves down.

Why is it important to avoid template applications?

It is important to avoid template applications as firms pride themselves on what differentiates them from others. This could be their specialities, culture, global reach, CSR policies. It is important you do your research, figure out which would be best for you and, most importantly, have valid reasons for your choice.

What are some examples of extra-curricular activities?

Examples include leadership position in a society, debating/mooting or theatre productions.

What do trainees and junior associates think?

Often trainees and junior associates are too focussed on learning the law and doing the work that they are given, and they end up not focussing on the latest commercial developments. They think that it is a responsibility of the partners and senior associates. I do not think that that’s a right approach.

Is corporate law fun?

The world of corporate law is always evolving (and sometimes faster than one expects), which makes it fun. Every now and then, you have new laws, legal structures and products being introduced in the market. One needs to be keen to learn (and at times, unlearn) and take up new challenges.

What is the role of a commercial lawyer?

Commercial lawyers have the responsibility and obligation to assist with business transactions in order to ensure that all dealings are valid and legal. The majority of a commercial lawyer’s duties to their client will be primarily concerned with contracting drafting, as well as analyzing the terms included in any sort of agreement.

What are some examples of commercial law?

Food and food safety laws. Some of the main branches of commercial law are consumer protection, contract laws, and intellectual property laws. Such laws vary by state and will determine everything concerning a business.

What are the remedies for commercial law violations?

Depending on the type of violation or conflict involved, commercial law disputes can involve remedies such as: Monetary damages for losses; Breach of contract remedies, such as contract rescission; Equitable remedies, such as an injunction; and/or.

What is commercial dispute?

Protection of intellectual property and trade secrets. As previously discussed, commercial disputes can often involve a mixture of different laws in other areas, such as environmental law or real estate law. Commercial law disputes can also involve a number of options in terms of dispute resolution.

What is business mediation?

Business mediation, or some other alternative dispute resolution method. Available remedies can vary depending on whether the liable party is a commercial merchant. or an average citizen. Additionally, some commercial law disputes require a class action lawsuit if many people have been affected by the same issue.

What are some examples of commercial contract issues?

In addition to contract issues, some examples of common issues that commercial attorneys handle include: Advertising and marketing disputes; Advertising and marketing violations; Unfair competition issues;

What is contract violation?

Contract violations form a large part of most commercial law legal issues. Transactions between businesses and with customers typically involve some sort of contract, and legal issues can frequently arise in connection with the terms of those contracts.

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