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Commercial solicitor: Job description and activities

Job description

A commercial solicitor acts for businesses of all sizes. Caseloads range from general company/commercial work (such as advising small start-up businesses) to large, complex corporate transactions (such as 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;
• tax;
• employment;
• finance;
• intellectual property;
• competition law.

Generally, commercial solicitors work as part of a team on highly complex and intellectually demanding work, which requires 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 has an ongoing caseload of clients or works on a smaller number of large transactions.

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

• meeting clients to establish the suitability of the work in relation to the firm's specialisms and fee structure;
• advising clients on the law and how it may affect their case;
• drafting documents and contracts relating to the client's case;
• negotiating with clients and other professionals to secure the desired objectives;
• researching documents and case history to ensure the accuracy of advice and procedure;
• supervising the implementation of agreements;
• coordinating the work of all parties involved in each case;
• acting on behalf of clients in contentious matters and representing them in court, if necessary;
• supervising more junior members of the team;
• checking all documentation prior to signing and implementing;
• organising further contact with the client to negotiate work and contracts and to gather information to assist in the preparation of case materials;
• instructing advocates for representation, if necessary;
• keeping up to date with changes and developments in the law by reading journals and attending courses, often as part of continuing professional development (CPD).

AGCAS

Written by Joanne Rourke, AGCAS

Last updated:

November 2007

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