Why being a commercially aware lawyer is key to success

In today’s legal landscape, commercial awareness is much more than a buzzword - it’s an essential skill that transforms how lawyers support and advise clients. But what does commercial awareness really mean? Put simply, it’s about understanding the business environment, industry trends, and economic factors that influence clients’ decisions and legal needs. For lawyers, commercial awareness involves thinking beyond pure legal advice to consider how their guidance impacts a client’s business operations, objectives, and reputation.

Commercial awareness at Foot Anstey: our sector approach

We recognise the importance of commercial awareness in delivering meaningful advice, which is why we focus on seven core client sectors. Each sector reflects a specific industry, allowing our lawyers to develop a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities our clients face. This sector-based approach enables us to offer more relevant, proactive legal support because we understand the specific pressures and trends shaping each client’s industry.

When we operate within these sectors, we’re not just providing legal solutions; we’re aligning our advice with clients’ business goals and helping them navigate industry-specific issues. This approach directly supports our commitment to being commercially aware in every aspect of our work.

Why commercial awareness matters for lawyers

Commercial awareness empowers lawyers to think strategically on behalf of clients, making them proactive, solution-oriented, and responsive to broader business dynamics. Here’s why it’s so vital:

• Enhanced client support. Commercially aware lawyers can offer advice that anticipates challenges and mitigates risks, aligning legal advice with the client’s business objectives and market realities.
• Effective problem solving. By understanding the “bigger picture,” lawyers can deliver guidance that’s not only legally sound but also strategically aligned with a client’s commercial goals, helping clients to seize opportunities as well as avoid pitfalls.
• Stronger client relationships. A commercial mindset builds trust and credibility, demonstrating to clients that their lawyers see beyond isolated legal issues to the overall business impact.

Developing commercial awareness as a trainee

We believe in cultivating commercial awareness from the very beginning of a trainee’s journey. That’s why each of our trainees is aligned to a sector team in their first year, working closely with the team to develop industry insight while managing their core legal training. This sector-focused experience gives trainees hands-on opportunities to learn about client industries, conduct research, and assist in business development activities like drafting client newsletters and attending industry events.

This exposure not only deepens commercial awareness but also develops critical skills such as managing multiple stakeholders, balancing client expectations, and effective communication—skills that are essential for a successful career in law.

How trainees benefit from sector responsibilities

• Building commercial awareness. Trainees integrate their legal knowledge with strategic business insights, gaining the ability to offer advice that aligns with our clients’ commercial priorities.
• Expanding professional networks. Working within a sector team brings trainees into contact with colleagues across various practices and business development teams, creating opportunities to expand their internal network and learn from industry experts.
• Cultivating business development skills. Trainees play a vital role in business development initiatives, learning how to enhance client relationships and contribute to the firm’s growth by supporting activities that raise our profile and attract new clients.
• Developing essential business skills. The sector approach encourages skills like managing expectations, coordinating timelines, and balancing the needs of different stakeholders—transferable skills that benefit every aspect of a legal career.
• Investing in future leaders. By embedding sector expertise and commercial awareness into our training programme, we equip our trainees with the business acumen and client-centred approach needed to be future leaders of our firm.

At Foot Anstey, we prepare our trainees to be exceptional lawyers by equipping them with the tools and insights to be trusted business advisors who contribute to our clients’ success and the firm’s growth. By fostering commercial awareness from day one, we ensure our future lawyers understand not only the law but also the complex, dynamic environment in which our clients operate.