Hey there,
There’s a common misconception that commercial awareness needs to be shown all through for successful written applications. Now don’t get me wrong, it certainly is important, but some questions and some stages will require you to show this more, than others. For example, if the question asks for a recent development and its impact on X firm‘s clients, this clearly requires more commercial awareness than why you want to be a commercial lawyer. You may also find that this skill is tested more in interviews, than actual written applications (dependent on the firm’s application questions). That said, it is always beneficial to find a way to weave this in, though this requires less effort than is typically perceived by applicants. For example, adequately explaining why you are drawn to X firm’s corporate practice, backed up by specific life examples, is a clear demonstration of commercial awareness because it shows you understand the core foundational aspects of corporate law work. The ability to not make this generic and tailored to the firm is, in my opinion, already showing an understanding of the commercial world and how law sits within it.
The problem with including deals is to ensure you don‘t just drop it, but fully explain why that solidifies your interest in the firm. As you can imagine, many firm’s will work on similar deals so this needs to be really strong.
These few tips should help if you decide to name a deal:
Focus on the why and impact: If a firm worked on a big deal, mention why it’s significant (e.g., its impact on the market or industry) and connect it to broader trends like ESG, tech innovation, or market consolidation.
Link it back to the firm’s strengths: Talk about how the deal or trend aligns with the firm’s reputation, strategy, or expertise. For example, “This reflects the firm’s strength in X sector and its ability to navigate complex cross-border matters.”
Engage with trends that interest you: Highlight your genuine curiosity about a key industry trend the firm is working on and why it resonates with you. E.g., I’m particularly interested in how the firm is advising clients on adapting to ESG regulations, a topic I explored during X experience.
Tie it to your goals: Show how the firm’s work inspires you or aligns with what you want to do in the future. This makes your application personal and authentic.
Best of luck! You’ll do amazing!
I really appreciate your kindness and supportiveness - we are so lucky to be able to hear from you <3
