What can you access for free?

    1. Platform overview

    1. Law firm application tracker 2023/24

    1. Lesson 1/27: Introduction to legal careers

    2. Lesson 3/27: Understanding your priorities (PREVIEW)

    3. Lesson 11/27: Corporate seats (PREVIEW)

    4. Course summary

    1. Course summary

    2. Lesson 12: Structuring answers to career motivation questions

    3. Lesson 23: How to discuss team-working skills and experience

    1. Course overview

    2. Lesson 2: Considering law firms from the perspective of different stakeholders

    3. Lesson 5: Reputation and capabilities

    4. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer firm profile

    5. Course summary

    1. Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP)

    2. Course summary

    1. Lesson 3/28: Watson Glaser tests

    2. Lesson 5/28: PRACTICE QUESTIONS - Inferences

    3. Course summary

    1. Lesson 6/21: Group exercises

    2. Course summary

    1. Herbert Smith Freehills

    2. Course summary

    1. Lesson 7/18: How to approach the work (PREVIEW)

    2. Course summary

    1. Lesson 7/13: Jake left law for a portfolio career

    2. Course summary

    1. Lesson 1/24: What is commercial awareness?

    2. Lesson 4/24: How does commercial awareness come up in interviews, and how can you demonstrate it?

    3. Course summary

    1. Lesson 1/23: Why do businesses acquire other businesses?

    2. Lesson 6/23: QUIZ ~ commercial law principles (PREVIEW)

    3. Course summary

    1. What is private equity?

    2. Different types of funding

    3. Course summary

    1. Case study 1 (lesson 1/12): Acquisition of a famous central London hotel

    2. Case study 1 (lesson 2/12): Acquisition of a famous central London hotel

    3. Course summary

Free previews

  • Free
  • 74 lessons
  • 5 hours of video content

Our platform, at a glance

Our courses have been crafted and curated by ex-Magic Circle lawyer and best-selling author Jake Schogger, based on his experiences working as a lawyer and coaching, mentoring and training thousands of aspiring lawyers. He’s teamed up with senior City lawyers and ex-partners, leading City trainers, and an ex-Magic Circle graduate recruiter to offer the expert insights and guidance you need to secure a training contract.

  • 22 expert-led courses, 350+ video lessons, interactive quizzes, practical tips, insider insights, and exclusive guidance.

  • 90+ firm profiles with USPs for Magic Circle, Silver Circle, US, regional and Scottish firms, plus in-house teams.

  • 120+ comprehensive assessment centre insights for City firms, with advice from successful candidates.

  • 150+ verified successful applications, plus feedback on why examples are strong and what could be improved.

  • 14 example commercial and legal interview case studies based on real law firm interviews, with model answers and guidance.

  • Monthly sessions where Jake reviews applications, plus a forum where he answers questions.

  • Certificate of completion for every course.

Instructors

Jake Schogger, Hannah Salton, Laura Brunnen, Leah Adeniran, Peter Watson, Akil Hunte, Simranjeet Mann, Giles Thompson, Rob Hanna, Peggy Forell, John Trimbos, Helen Pamely, Gordon Chung, James Richardson, Luke Mitchinson, Ali Obeid, and many more...

Commercial Law Academy Founder & Ex-Freshfields Lawyer Jake Schogger

Jake Schogger is a qualified lawyer, career coach, entrepreneur, author, copywriter and consultant. He is the founder and CEO of City Career Series, a publishing company that has sold ~50,000 handbooks designed to help students secure City careers, including the critically acclaimed Commercial Law Handbook and Training Contract Handbook. He also founded Commercial Law Academy. He trained at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP and now acts as a legal adviser to start-ups and scale-ups, whilst also working as a career coach and delivering career-related presentations at universities across the UK. In addition, Jake works with tech start-ups and runs a variety of his own businesses. Connect with Jake on LinkedIn via www.linkedin.com/in/jakeschogger

Career Coach & Ex-Magic Circle Recruiter Hannah Salton

Hannah Salton is a qualified executive coach, career consultant and former corporate graduate recruiter. She spent the first eight years of her career recruiting graduate talent for leading international corporations, including telecoms giant BT and elite law firm Allen & Overy. In 2017 she transitioned to a career in coaching and professional development, specialising in helping graduates achieve ambitious career goals. Through her personalised one-to-one and group coaching programmes, she helps people develop the skills, confidence and awareness needed to secure their dream job. For more information, visit www.hannahsalton.co.uk and connect with Hannah on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-salton-coaching

Corporate/M&A City lawyer Leah Adeniran

Leah trained and qualified at Magic Circle law firm Freshfields, where she also undertook secondments at BAE Systems and HSBC. She now works in Latham & Watkins' corporate/M&A team. Leah’s aim, through her career and lifestyle videos, is to demystify corporate law and widen access to prestigious institutions, particularly for those from non-traditional backgrounds like herself. Check out her YouTube Channel ‘LegallyBraids’ (https://www.youtube.com/c/LegallyBraids) to hear about her experiences.

Ex-City law firm partner Laura Brunnen

Laura Brunnen's career in the City spanned over 20 years. She started as an all-round M&A lawyer at Slaughter and May, before becoming a private equity specialist at Kirkland & Ellis. She then spent a decade balancing life as a private equity partner at three international law firms alongside raising her family, whilst (just about) managing to maintain her sense of humour. In 2021, after a year of lock-downs and WFH, Laura had an epiphany and left the City to found her own business, The Legal Strategist. This has allowed her to focus on doing what she loves most: mentoring solicitors and corporate law consulting. As a mentor, Laura draws on her vast experience to offer unique, honest and highly personal insights, and to provide practical and actionable advice that enables mentees to become the best versions of themselves. After all, she has personally trodden the path to promotion on many occasions, and as a partner, she was responsible for the hiring, training, appraising and promoting of other lawyers. In other words, she’s now spilling the magician’s secrets… For more information, connect with Laura via linkedin.com/in/laura-brunnen, instagram.com/iamlaurabrunnen and https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12702854.

Head of growth at a leading legal tech business Giles Thompson

Giles spearheads Avvoka’s growth strategy, which involves working with in-house legal teams, leading law firms, and businesses. Previously, Giles worked as a City lawyer at Herbert Smith Freehills and Kirkland & Ellis. Giles also has in-house experience working for BP’s in-house legal team and in the regulatory division of PAX Labs/Juul.

Ex-City lawyer, author, and founder Akil Hunte

Akil Hunte trained as a City lawyer at CMS, before becoming a music lawyer. He is also a public speaker, a motivational influencer, the author of ‘Unlocking Yourself After Lockdown’, a mentor to dozens of aspiring lawyers, the founder of ‘LinkedIn Skills For Lawyers’ and Non-Russel Group Lawyers, and the recipient of multiple awards.

Ex-stock broker and current affairs guru Peter Watson

Peter Watson has been a stockbroker, headhunter and entrepreneur for over 20 years. He writes and publishes the Watson's Daily blog on business and financial markets news, helping professionals and students alike to understand key trends and developments on a daily basis. Peter studied Law and Japanese at Cardiff University and so when he started working in the City, he had to "learn" economics and markets rapidly in a highly pressurised and competitive environment. He knows what you need to know and serves it up in an approachable way. Peter's markets knowledge comes from being a stockbroker for 13 years at four different investment banks in London and Tokyo, where he advised some of the world's biggest investors who traded on the UK, European and Japanese markets. He also advised CEOs and Chairmen of global blue-chip companies on investor trends and strategies. He has also been a City headhunter in finance and investment banking and a successful candidate in many different professions! www.watsonsdaily.com I @watsons_daily

Ex-City law firm partner Helen Pamely

Helen Pamely is a former City law firm Partner, turned psychotherapist and executive coach. Helen knows first-hand the challenges of living and working in the high-octane legal world. Blending this experience with her in-depth knowledge of mental health, psychology & performance, she offers unique and powerful insights into how we can become the happiest, healthiest & highest performing versions of ourselves. This enables her to support lawyers to unlock their personal and professional potential.

Corporate City lawyer Gordon Chung

LinkedIn personality Gordon Chung trained and qualified at Baker McKenzie, where he practises as a Corporate M&A lawyer. He completed his Bachelor of Laws degree at City University of Hong Kong before obtaining his postgraduate Master of Corporate Law degree at University of Cambridge. He has also passed the New York state bar examination.

Legal recruiter and community builder Rob Hanna

Robert Hanna is the Founder & Managing Director of KC Partners, an innovative and world leading legal talent solutions and content creation firm focused on community. He specialises in helping aspiring and qualified legal professionals with their careers and to secure dream jobs with law firms & corporates across the UK, Europe, Middle East, Far East & US. Rob is a super networker & active content creator. He the most followed legal recruiter and talent solutions expert across social media. Rob has advised LinkedIn on various new product roll outs and been ranked as a Top 100 Rising Star & Influencer. He regularly features in LinkedIn News & Hosts the LinkedIn Creators Audio Townhall. He is also a Mentor, Speaker & Commentator having been featured in the Modern Lawyer and launched the world renowned Legally Speaking Podcast powered by Clio. Rob’s Legally Speaking Podcast became the first legal podcast in the world to embrace Web3, launching NFTs and a Social Token ($Legal Coin); all designed to protect and empower the legal community by giving everyone a voice. www.legallyspeakingpodcast.com

Ex Magic Circle & Elite US lawyer turned headhunter Luke Mitchinson

Luke trained and qualified at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, where he worked for 3.5 years (including a secondment at Bank of America Merrill Lynch). He then joined the private equity team at Ropes & Gray, where he worked for 3 years, before changing careers to focus on legal headhunting.

Business presentation expert Peggy Forell

Peggy Forell is the founder of Advocality, a consultancy born out of a passion for teaching presentation skills. These are the skills that go into delivering a message to a group of people (including interviewers!), with the intention of making them glad they heard it. Peggy has worked mainly with lawyers over the years and was employed by one of the City’s magic circle law firms to teach lawyers how to better communicate, structure and deliver presentations. However, Peggy is not a lawyer. In fact, this is her USP. For many years, she trained for the stage, after achieving a Degree in Speech & Dramatic Art with the University of Iowa. When her dazzling career in performance didn’t eventuate, she diversified into working with non-actors on their verbal and non-verbal communication skills: an actor’s bread and butter. Today Peggy works with lawyers in the City and in numerous other countries, at all levels of their careers…from law students to senior partners. www.advocality.co.uk

Business writing expert John Trimbos

John Trimbos is a solicitor and training consultant who specialises in communication skills. He has a background in both the public and private sectors, and provides training and one-to-one coaching for a variety of organisations (including teaching business writing to LPC students at BPP University). John Trimbos provides training courses and one-to-one coaching for a variety of individuals and commercial organisations. For more information, check out www.trimbostraining.com.

YouTuber & White & Case Trainee Ali Obeid

Ali Obeid, a non-law graduate from LSE, is best known for his highly-personal and insightful career and university-related YouTube videos, as well as the comprehensive tips and resources that he publishes on LinkedIn. Coming from a lower socio-economic single-parent family, Ali truly understands the struggles of 'fitting in' and 'keeping up' with others, which is why his content focuses on helping students to break barriers and reach new levels, efficiently and effectively. He secured a training contract at White & Case, having also interned at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

Solicitor, YouTuber and DE&I champion Simranjeet Mann

Simranjeet Kaur Mann trained and qualified at Womble Bond Dickinson, having previously attended 4 assessment centres, completed 3 vacation schemes and received 3 training contract offers (plus worked in 3 paralegal roles and briefly at a “Big 4” accounting firm). She then joined tech-focused boutique law firm Founders Law, and now works as a consultant for Aspiring Solicitors. She’s passionate about increasing diversity across, and access to the legal profession, which has led to her offering regular guidance to aspiring solicitors via her Instagram page and her (light-hearted yet informational) YouTube channel.

Membership

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The impact Commercial Law Academy is having...

Adam Khattak

Future trainee, CMS

“Incredibly useful resources! I was accepted onto a vacation scheme, which definitely wouldn’t have been possible without Commercial Law Academy - it can make a very big difference!”

Zainab Atif

LLB, City Law School

“The academy has really been a crucial tool, simplifying what was otherwise a very complex and daunting process. As a result, I have received two assessment centre invites. It definitely is a must-have resource!”

Amber Pessoa

MSci Natural Sciences, University of Nottingham

“Such insightful resources - particularly helpful for preparing for an AC! The content brought my understanding of an M&A transaction from nothing to being able to successfully complete a case study interview!”

Sophia Birch

LLB, University of Nottingham

"Thank you for the resources that the Commercial Law Academy provides - with the online platform I was able to secure my vacation schemes at a Magic Circle and another big law international firm!"

Rebecca Pauley

BA History, UCL and MSc Gender, LSE.

"Just wanted to drop a quick note to express how useful I've found the Academy for my applications this year. Going into AC preparation, I didn’t know where to start, so having specific courses laying out everything that might come up in competency and case study interviews has been an absolute game-changer. Ended up with ACs at Jones Day, Baker McKenzie, and Linklaters! Cannot thank you enough!"

Elaine Dunn

Trainee Solicitor, DLA Piper

"Commercial Law Academy was the key contributing factor to my success in securing a training contract with a major international law firm"

Demi, Law graduate

Feedback on her Commercial Law Academy membership

"Putting your advice into practice, I've landed a training contract with the largest of Ireland's top 5 firms. The Commercial Law Academy was an invaluable investment for my career. Jake has an outstanding teaching style..."

Final year History student

Feedback on the training contract module

"Brilliant, so in-depth and insightful...I feel much more confident about how to approach applications and demonstrate my skills in a way that matches those required."

Kristy, Australian Law graduate

Feedback on the M&A content

"I have just received an email from [Magic Circle firm] saying that I passed the case study interview! It involved mostly contents covered by your M&A course - thank you so so much!! Honestly would not have made it without your courses."

Final year Politics & International Relations student

Feedback on the assessment centre, growth mindset and employability content

"I found the insights you provided extremely helpful and easy to understand, especially as a non-law undergraduate entering the legal sector."