As an aspiring commercial solicitor attempting case studies at assessment centres for vacation schemes and training contracts, you are not expected to know competition law in nearly as much depth as a qualified competition lawyer would be (of course!). However, given that M&As are a common theme of these case studies, and that M&A necessarily involves the merger between two companies or the acquisition of one company by another, you will need to have a base-level understanding of how competition law operates in the jurisdiction of England & Wales: common competition-related problems you might spot in case studies, and corresponding solutions.
While good candidates can pick out and describe issues, great candidates go a step further by suggesting practical solutions. In real life, commercial clients pay solicitors not to present more headaches, but to deliver actionable solutions. Here’s how you can adopt a solution-focused approach and some common problems and solutions you might encounter in M&A case studies.
If you're a non-law student preparing for assessment centres at international commercial law firms, you might feel apprehensive about competing against law students. However, it's important to remember that law firms design case studies to assess commercial acumen rather than legal knowledge. This article shows you how you can approach these case studies with confidence and demonstrate your potential as a future solicitor.
In the context of M&A, retaining key employees is essential to ensure business continuity, maintain client relationships, and achieve the strategic objectives of the transaction. Key employees often possess critical knowledge and skills that are integral to the success of the combined entity. As an aspiring commercial solicitor, you should be prepared to spot the risk of key employees leaving the business after the transaction, and propose potential solutions to dissuade them from doing so.
