Commercial law is one of the most common areas of practice for lawyers around the world. A commercial lawyer can work in a variety of settings, including the private sector as a corporate lawyer or the public sector as a regulatory adviser. A commercial lawyer will most likely be a legal expert when it comes to issues of commerce, patents, intellectual property, anti-trust legislation, and corporate law.
To become a commercial lawyer, you must go through a lengthy educational process that can begin as early as undergraduate studies. Though a bachelor’s degree in law is not required to work as a commercial lawyer, those interested in the field should consider pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as communications, economics, or business. An aspiring commercial lawyer will typically need to take standardized tests, such as the LSATs, after completing undergraduate school. After completing law school, a young lawyer may be required to pass bar examinations in order to practice law.
However, a commercial lawyer’s education goes beyond the classroom. Many people need to be knowledgeable about a wide range of topics, including contract law, business protocol, and government regulations. While completing their education, law students pursuing a career in the commercial sector of the profession will frequently seek internships or clerkships at commercial law firms. This can help them gain insider knowledge of commercial law and establish important professional connections.
A fully qualified commercial lawyer could work for a law firm that focuses on business services. This could include drafting contracts, filing lawsuits, and negotiating with labor unions. Some people choose to work as in-house counsel for a company rather than working for a traditional law firm. A lawyer’s job entails ensuring that the company behaves legally and that it is treated legally other businesses. Universities, non-profit organizations, and trade unions may hire commercial lawyers.
Another possible area of employment for a commercial lawyer is the public sector. Understanding and creating business regulations, as well as national and international commercial law, is a highly complex process that necessitates the assistance of top-notch lawyers at every stage. Working with or for the government can be a rewarding experience for lawyers who have a strong sense of civic responsibility and want to help improve the public sector.
Commercial law is a complicated and often contentious area of law. A lawyer who can quickly synthesize, contextualize, and explain the ins and outs of business law can be a huge help to a business owner or board of directors who isn’t familiar with legal issues. By establishing a strong reputation in the business community, a successful commercial lawyer may be able to build an extremely lucrative career.