What is Corporate/Commercial Law?

[PPE]

Hi Guys,

I have been monitoring the site from afar for a few weeks (seems extremely friendly and helpful) and I was looking for some advice from you guys.

A little background; I am a second year PPE student and a lot of my friends are law students who are securing VS/TC at big law firms. I am quite intrigued by a career in law and was hoping someone could provide me with a bit of knowledge as to what commercial/corporate law is and what work the lawyers in this field do?

If any of the future trainees or vac schemers can give me a bit of background and provide me with some advice as to what said career entails I would be hugely grateful.

From what I have gathered it seems to be a hugely over-subscribed area of law and one which is extremely competitive to break into. I am hoping to try my luck for a few firms next year and I am wanting to use my time to understand what a career as a commercial lawyer entails.

Just a quick addition; (Many apologies as this probably sounds quite stupid so excuse my ignorance, are corporate law and commercial law the same thing or is one slightly different?)

Thanks guys!!

 

[Andrew M]

Well "commercial law" covers everything relating to commerce, business, sales, trade etc. A commercial law firm will usually specialise in numerous sectors or practice areas within that very wide umbrella.

Corporate law as a practice area relates to corporate matters such as shareholders, mergers and acquisitions, restructuring etc.