Why Commercial Law? Investigating Your ‘Why’

[Amma Usman]

The question that often makes you pause for a moment. You know why you want to pursue this, you’re certain it’s what you want. Yet, putting it into words — especially in a way that resonates with recruiters — is a challenge. Then, you see it in an application form, and it’s just like “argg!” How do you craft an answer that shows you really want this? What would be a stellar response to get you past the application stage? The truth is, authenticity is key. Being yourself and effectively communicating your unique ‘why’ is what will make your answer stand out.

It’s a difficult question indeed—we’ve all been there.

Let me reiterate the importance of communicating your ‘why’ and why it’s so crucial for law firms. It’s because it demonstrates individuality. Many candidates might say they want to become commercial lawyers because it’s highly stimulating, involves cross-border deals, or because they want to help people—many professions offer that, including investment banking, consulting, and marketing. So what makes answering this question for commercial law different?

The answer lies in the intersection between commerce and law. Before being lawyers, it’s arguable that commercial lawyers are business advisors first. This is what sets them apart from other types of lawyers. They understand their clients, they advise, and they execute. A deep understanding of this dynamic will help you frame your answer to “why commercial law?”

So, why does the commercial aspect appeal to you? Why do you want to work with businesses rather than, say, the government (public law) or individuals on estate management (trusts and estates law)? This requires you to reflect on your interactions with businesses. Have you managed a family business? Set up your own? Attended open days at law firms? Why did those experiences appeal to you? What was it about the business connection that intrigued you? Really dig deep—this will help you uncover your ‘why.’

Personally, it took me a while to find my own ‘why.’ I had to take a week off during my first-year scheme application cycle to truly understand my motivations. It did two things: it helped me craft more compelling answers because I knew what was driving me, and it affirmed my choice to pursue commercial law. By the end, I was convinced this was the right path, and I was ready to work hard to achieve it. Once I understood my drivers, the practice areas I was interested in, and the kind of firms I wanted to target, communicating why I wanted to become a commercial lawyer became much easier. I no longer felt the need to apply to every firm—I knew exactly what I was looking for in terms of work and fit.

Now, to the second part of the question: why do you want to be a lawyer? For me, it started with studying a law degree that I genuinely enjoyed. I was also drawn to how commercial lawyers work on some of the most impactful deals in the market. I liked the idea of waking up and seeing in the news a deal that I had been working on with my firm. These are all valid reasons, and they were some of my initial motivators. But I soon realized that this wasn’t enough for an application answer. On paper, it appeared generic. So, I took time to reflect deeper. I found the best way to answer this was through my past experiences and how they all aligned with my desire to be a trusted legal advisor.

I referenced interning at the Ministry of Justice, which introduced me to public law. Then, I worked as a legal advisor at a local city law clinic in Leicester, which confirmed that I enjoyed working in the law, irrespective of specialization. However, it was through my internships at L’Oréal and an insurance company that I realized I preferred the intricacies of commercial law—the client-centric approach, the opportunity to provide fresh perspectives on global deals, and the interplay between strategic thinking and legal execution.

So, take your time with this question. Your ‘why’ should be constant. A setback today shouldn’t influence why you want to become a commercial lawyer. Your answer should reflect the core, foundational reasons for choosing this path. As you progress, new experiences may reinforce or complement your ‘why’—mention those in your applications. The bottom line is: Tell your story. Show your journey. Our journeys are more compelling than we often realize. See that value and convey it confidently in interviews and online applications.

Best of luck!

 

[legal18]

Such a useful post, thank you so much! I just wanted to zoom into your mention of open days and how could I integrate attending these into this answer?

 

[Amma Usman]

Hey @legal18

Glad you found the post helpful! To sum it up, you would integrate an open day into an answer for why commercial law, using primarily the work. Say, for example, through the open day you got some insights into a particular practice area and was able to see the legal/business perspectives. This will demonstrate a strong commitment to the profession if you substantiate it with more specific points on your overall experience. This could include details on any presentations (what you learnt), any case studies, workshops, etc. Any research could reveal the business side of say, private equity, for example. Open days will enable you to see how a law firm approaches work within such industries. This will also be a plus if you’re applying to firms you attended an open day at. You also don’t need to expand on the open day in depth - just how the work appealed to you with specific examples. Most why CL questions tend to be 200-300 words in length, or sometimes less. So, always focus on the work, what you got from it, and how it solidified your passions.

 

[tosin4774]

Cam I say I am attracted to a career in commercial law due to the client focused nature of the job itself @Amma Usman

 

[Amma Usman]

Hey @tosin4774. I would adapt the word client to businesses instead. This is because a client can be anything from an individual, to businesses, to even the government. From this, the recommended approach is to then use your past experiences ( workshops, open days, internships, etc) to build on why the business-centric aspect is of appeal. This will help show demonstrated interest.

 

[legal18]

Could one of my reasons be because of the collaborative nature of the career? If I then substantiated it with a legal knowledge and an example of me flourishing in a collaborative environment?

 

[Amma Usman]

Hey @legal18, I would suggest taking a different approach. Perhaps strong collaboration, with a strong example from your professional life will be more suitable as a skill you could bring to the profession - in which case, including it in the “why commercial law” section wouldn’t be appropriate. Instead, this could be included in any questions suited to “why you”. The reason is because many professions require collaboration, as well as any role in which teams are involved. Hope this helps