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Commercial solicitor: Job description and activities

Job description

A commercial solicitor gives legal advice to businesses of all sizes. The work ranges from general company/commercial work (such as helping new enterprises get established) to large, complex corporate transactions (including mergers and acquisitions), often referred to as corporate law. Commercial solicitors advise on specialist areas of law and represent clients where there is a business-related dispute.

Most commercial solicitors specialise in particular areas of law such as:

• property;
• insurance;
• employment;
• finance;
• intellectual property;
• competition law.

Commercial solicitors usually work in teams on complex and intellectually demanding work, requiring the ability to meet exacting deadlines and work under considerable pressure.

Typical work activities

Depending on the size of the firm, a commercial solicitor either deals with several cases simultaneously or works on one large transaction at a time.

Work activities vary according to the type of case and specialist area but typically involve:

• conducting initial client interviews to assess the firm's ability to help with the matter at hand, based on the firm's specialism and the likely cost;
• advising clients on the law and how it may affect their case;
• drafting documents and contracts tailored to the client's individual needs;
• negotiating with clients and other professionals to secure agreed objectives;
• researching documents and case law to ensure the accuracy of advice and procedure;
• supervising the implementation of agreements;
• coordinating the work of all parties involved;
• acting on behalf of clients in disputes and representing them in court, if necessary;
• supervising more junior members of the team;
• checking all documentation prior to signing and implementing;
• arranging and attending further client meetings where necessary to progress with the case and finalise documentation;
• instructing specialist advocates to appear in court for the client in complex disputes;
• keeping up to date with changes and developments in the law by reading journals and law reports;
• completing regular training as part of continuing professional development (CPD).

AGCAS

Written by Tim Bradshaw , College of Law

Last updated:

October 2009

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