Commercial Awareness Compass
The making of a BCLP partner: commercial growth behind the scenes
Jessica Hopewell & Daniel Burnand
Published Thu, 05 Feb
This episode is part one of a two-part podcast series exploring the commercial realities of a law firm, focusing on how firms operate internally, from billables and expectations at each career stage to progression through to partnership.
Today, progression as a commercial lawyer is shaped by far more than technical skill. From your first seat as a trainee to leading major client relationships as a partner, the firm expects its lawyers to grow commercially, understand how work is won and retained, and appreciate the human relationships that drive every instruction. The path is not linear. It is built through early client exposure, practical responsibility and an expectation that you represent the firm’s standards from day one.
Over time, trainees move from drafting simple documents to supporting on high value transactions. Senior associates manage teams, develop client contacts and take ownership of developing business within their practice. Partners must bring in mandates while coordinating expertise across practices. A firm’s success relies on lawyers who understand both the law and the people behind each deal.
How do BCLP’s trainees gain commercial exposure? What does winning work really look like inside a major UK law firm? And how do partners balance legal expertise with the responsibility to grow the business?
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