Law for All Society: Commercial Awareness Officer

Hi! 

Commercial Awareness. It's that buzzword you see and hear about on law firm websites, that you know is really important. As an English student who also struggled with commercial awareness last year, I know it can be daunting because it's so different from your studies, is large and multifaceted. In fact, it's quite accessible, and I believe that anyone, with the right resources, can become an expert in commercial awareness really quickly. My mission is to provide you with resources I wish I'd had 1 year ago, and help you achieve what I did: turn a 100% rejection rate to open days, assessment centres and interviews at firms including Linklaters, Clifford Chance, Travers Smith, and Macfarlanes. 

My plans are:

1.  Commercial Awareness talks. Lecture-style sessions run both formally by experienced professionals, and informally by students for students. You'll learn about the anatomy of an M&A deal, Private Equity, Capital Markets, and more.
2. A exclusive, regular newsletter debriefing current commercial news you need to know about, such as the effects of Apple's legal battle with the UK government over data protection, with the opportunity for you to contribute entries to help yourself and your peers.
3. To collaborate with external commercial awareness resources. Little Law, TCLA, the FT and more are great resources to boost commercial awareness. I would host collaborative opportunities between the society and these resources to help you learn from them as much as us.

Thanks so much!

Hi Everyone,

I’m Osman Jabbie, a first-year Social Sciences student, and I’m running for Commercial Awareness Officer. My goal is to make commercial awareness more approachable and engaging. It takes time to develop, and I want to create a space where we can build our understanding together. I’ve attended commercial awareness workshops and law firm events, including pitching to partners, where my presentation received praise. These experiences have helped me think more commercially, and I’m excited to bring that insight to this role.

If elected, I will commit to:

• Weekly Commercial Awareness Newsletter – A clear breakdown of key business and legal developments and their impact on law firms and clients.
• Interactive Workshops – Sessions to help students sharpen their commercial awareness and understand the wider legal and business landscape.
• Resource Sharing – Regular updates on law firm events and application deadlines to keep members informed.

Why Me?

I’m passionate about commercial law and have attended multiple law firm events at HSF, Taylor Wessing, and Hogan Lovells, gaining valuable insights into commercial awareness. During my gap year in property management, I built strong commercial and communication skills by handling contracts and negotiating with suppliers, gaining valuable experience to contribute to this role.

Thank you for reading my manifesto. I’d love the opportunity to contribute to the society, so vote for Osman as your next Commercial Awareness Officer!

As a first-year History, Politics, and Economics student with a keen interest in the legal and commercial sectors, I have developed a strong foundation in understanding global markets and financial trends. My experience as a writer for the legal commercial awareness newsletter in ucl law society has deepened my ability to analyze and communicate key industry insights, and I am eager to apply these skills to benefit the Law for All Society.

As Commercial Awareness Officer, I aim to build on these resources by making them more engaging and accessible for the evolving landscape of law and business:

1. Revamp the newsletter by introducing a structured format that includes weekly industry breakdowns, in-depth case studies on landmark deals, and exclusive interviews with legal professionals and economists to provide comprehensive insights.
2. Organize high-impact speaker events featuring commercial lawyers, policymakers, and financial analysts, covering topics such as M&A trends, regulatory shifts, and economic policies affecting the legal profession.

3. Develop interactive commercial awareness workshops where students can engage in case competitions, mock deal negotiations, and legal market analysis to apply their knowledge in a practical setting.

   Together, we can build a community where everyone, regardless of background, to develop the commercial acumen needed to succeed in the legal sector.

The position of 'Commercial Awareness Officer' appeals to me, a BA History student with a passion for reading, writing and learning. Most importantly, I am eager to not only expand my own knowledge of the commercial world, but also to share my insights with other students looking to pursue law. Whilst studying an undergraduate degree in a non-law field, should not be a limitation or hindrance to law firm applications, I do understand that balancing two different areas of study can feel overwhelming. With my strong interpretation, communication and writing skills, I hope that I can ease this process of comprehending and navigating the ever-changing commercial world for all members of UCL's Law For All society.

My interdisciplinary background of studying higher level History, Mathematics and Chemistry at IB equips me well for this role as I have experience in interpreting different forms of knowledge, both numerical and literary, which is a necessary skill required for this position of Commercial Awareness Officer. Moreover, I have developed a routine of regularly reading various newspapers, most notably the 'Financial Times' in order to give myself greater exposure to recent commercial developments, as well as how politics and society play an important role in shaping commercial decisions.

I hope that through my approachable nature and comprehensive writing ability, I can make the seemingly daunting realm of 'commercial awareness' more accessible and engaging!

Commercial awareness is essential for a legal career, but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. With so much information out there, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. I’ve been there, reading financial news but struggling to see why it mattered in a legal context. Over time, I learned how to filter key developments and connect them to law, but I know many students still find this process inaccessible.

I want to change that. If elected, I’ll ensure our newsletter explains why key developments matter, not just what’s happening. I’d introduce "Deep Dives", breaking down major topics like corporate mergers or regulatory changes so they’re easy to follow. To make commercial awareness more interactive, I’d also bring in case study discussions and Q&As, giving students a space to engage with commercial trends without the pressure of already knowing everything.

My experience in research and writing, as a researcher for the Bentham Brooks Institute and a writer for multiple societies, has equipped me to simplify complex topics. Beyond this, my role as Volunteering Representative and an Ambassador has reinforced my commitment to making students feel confident engaging with new ideas. Through programmes like Impactful Careers, I’ve also deepened my understanding of how different industries intersect - something I’d bring to this role to make commercial awareness more approachable and relevant.

Vote for me to make commercial awareness a skill everyone can build with confidence!

Hi everyone, my name is Hector and I am a second year History student and I would like to be your future commercial awareness officer.

I have been an active member of the Law for All Society over the past two years, learning a great deal from the events that the society holds. I now want to play a role in the running of the society and become your Commercial Awareness Officer on the committee.

Commercial awareness is a key within the legal world and over my time at Law for All I have attended various commercial awareness seminars and law firm events, gaining valuable experience on this highly sought-after skill. I firmly believe that strong commercial awareness is essential for aspiring lawyers, with it directly impacting applications, interviews, and future careers in law.
If elected, I would:

• Provide workshops focused on developing commercial awareness.
• Collaborate with the committee to provide a greater variety of events, offering members hands-on exposure to the commercial world.

• Equip members with the knowledge and skills necessary to confidently demonstrate commercial awareness in applications and interviews. 

  I would ensure that commercial awareness is accessible and engaging for all society members. If elected, I hope to help and prepare fellow students for success in the legal profession. It would be an honour to serve in this role, and I look forward to the opportunity to make a positive impact.

  Thank you for your support!