Commercial thinking for Vacation Scheme success

This session focuses on the key skills that help you stand out during a vacation scheme: commercial thinking, communication, and professional judgement. You will learn what “commercial awareness” actually means in practice and how firms expect future trainees to think beyond the legal issue itself.

Using practical examples and realistic scenarios, the session will explore how to approach client problems by considering business priorities, risks, and possible solutions. You will also learn how to communicate more effectively with supervisors, ask thoughtful questions, and respond professionally to feedback. The aim is to help you feel more confident approaching work like a trainee solicitor, rather than feeling pressure to simply “perform” during the scheme.