Demonstrating an interest in commercial law

[Eamon]

For the law two years, I have been applying to vacation schemes and training contracts, but have failed to get anything.

I feel like the one thing holding me back is that I am unable to point to anything of substance that demonstrates my interest in commercial law. During university (which i have just finished) I took part in Law Society competitions, managed to get a place at the Law Clinic (not that this even applies directly to commercial law), attended open days etc. Likewise, I have had numerous part-time jobs, played sport at a national level, and am able to talk about the transferable skills obtained from these on my applications.

However, it's clear I don't have any experience of working in a commercial law firm, or even experience in a corporate firm in general. I do not have any family/friend connections to even get me informal work experience.

Does anyone have any advice as to how I can seek to demonstrate my interest in commercial law? I believe I am able to demonstrate transferable skills from the things discussed above, but this does not appear to be enough. I also feel as if I am not the only person with this issue!

At this stage I am desperate, am questioning whether I even have a shot at being a commercial lawyer. Thank you in advance for any ideas/advice.

 

[Jaysen]

For the law two years, I have been applying to vacation schemes and training contracts, but have failed to get anything.

I feel like the one thing holding me back is that I am unable to point to anything of substance that demonstrates my interest in commercial law. During university (which i have just finished) I took part in Law Society competitions, managed to get a place at the Law Clinic (not that this even applies directly to commercial law), attended open days etc. Likewise, I have had numerous part-time jobs, played sport at a national level, and am able to talk about the transferable skills obtained from these on my applications.

However, it's clear I don't have any experience of working in a commercial law firm, or even experience in a corporate firm in general. I do not have any family/friend connections to even get me informal work experience.

Does anyone have any advice as to how I can seek to demonstrate my interest in commercial law? I believe I am able to demonstrate transferable skills from the things discussed above, but this does not appear to be enough. I also feel as if I am not the only person with this issue!

At this stage I am desperate, am questioning whether I even have a shot at being a commercial lawyer. Thank you in advance for any ideas/advice.

Hi Eamon, have you been to any firm events or open days?

Edit: I've just seen you said you have. It sounds like you have a good range of experiences and you've got more law-related experience than some people I've spoken to. Work experience does help but a lack of it shouldn't be detrimental to vacation scheme applications; how are you discussing your motivation for commercial law in your applications so far? And have you had interviews?

 

[Eamon]

I went to a decent amount of firm presentations during my time at university, and have attended open days at Slaughter & May, Weil, Baker McKenzie, Mayer Brown and HSF (though I do intend to apply to more while doing my LPC)