Applying to Denton's vac scheme, any tips for answering this question: What do you understand to be the day-to-day responsibilities of a commercial lawyer? What attracts you to this reality and which aspects do you anticipate to be most challenging for you to navigate? I find I always struggle to make my answer to these questions unique/ stand out?
Hey!
That's a really great question, and I can totally see how it can be tough to sound original when everyone's essentially describing the same job. What helps is going beyond just listing tasks and showing some personal reflection.
Essentially, I would say the main things that they are looking for in this question are that you have:
- An understanding of what a commercial lawyer does
- Clear motivations for pursuing this career
- A self-awareness of your own skills and areas you'd like to improve on
For the first part, rather than just saying "commercial lawyers draft contracts and advise clients", try to describe what this would actually look like in practice - for example, "translating complex regulatory obligations into practical business advice". That kind of distinction shows that you've thought about what the work actually involves on a day-to-day level, and the value that commercial lawyers bring to clients.
To make your answer stand out, I would link the reality of the job to your own experiences and motivations. For instance, if you've worked in a business setting, you might say that gave you insight into how legal advice can influence and shape commercial decisions. Alternatively, if you enjoy teamwork or research, show how these strengths would help you in tasks such as due diligence or coordinating across practice areas. Connecting your skills and experiences to the realities of the role shows genuine self-awareness, and an understanding of how you are well-suited for the job.
When it comes to the "challenges" part, I would be honest but reflective - these challenges could include managing competing deadlines, getting comfortable with ambiguity, or perhaps even something like networking or presenting. I would then make sure that you show how you're preparing to develop in those areas (e.g. through time management, adaptability, or even seeking out those settings to gain more exposure!).
In summary, I would follow a structure along the lines of:
- Show how you understand the job in context (with realistic examples)
- Link that to your own skills and motivations (and why they make you suited for the role)
- Reflect on your challenges (and discuss how you intend to work on these areas)
This will help make your answer feel distinctive and authentic, rather than a generic description of what the job involves.
I hope that helps!
