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Key Considerations in a Debt vs. Equity Financing Decision: A Guide for Aspiring Commercial Solicitors

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Key Considerations in a Debt vs. Equity Financing Decision: A Guide for Aspiring Commercial Solicitors

There are two kinds of money a company can raise: debt, and equity. While clients themselves - in conjunction with their banker/accountant - normally have a clear view of which capital structure to opt for, as future commercial solicitors you need to understand the rationale behind such decisions, and be able to support the execution of these decisions. Each financing option comes with its own set of benefits, drawbacks, and implications for a company's financial strategy and operational control. This article is a quick guide explaining all of the above.

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Key Financial Metrics in M&A Case Studies: A Guide for Aspiring Commercial Solicitors

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Key Financial Metrics in M&A Case Studies: A Guide for Aspiring Commercial Solicitors

As a future commercial solicitor at a top City firm, you’ll be expected to demonstrate your ability to understand key financial metrics of the target company at M&A case studies within assessment centres. In real life, although lawyers are not expected to be able to do so to the level that bankers and accountants can, they must be able to hold a meaningful conversation with these financial professionals and understand at least simplified financial statements in order to ensure the legal advice and services they provide is in line with the commercial realities and the client’s intended commercial objectives. This article gives you a quick breakdown of key metrics you might be expected to tease out from your case study document pack.

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M&A vs Private Equity vs Venture Capital: A Guide for Aspiring Commercial Solicitors

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M&A vs Private Equity vs Venture Capital: A Guide for Aspiring Commercial Solicitors

Impress at your next assessment centre by demonstrating how mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital differ from each other.

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Common Risks in M&A Scenarios: A Guide for Aspiring Commercial Solicitors

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Common Risks in M&A Scenarios: A Guide for Aspiring Commercial Solicitors

M&A transactions come with common risks which can jeopardise the success of a transaction and are essential considerations during your case studies. As an aspiring commercial solicitor preparing for assessment centres, demonstrating a good grasp of these risks and suggesting mitigation methods will help you stand out as a candidate that thinks commercially, practically and has an understanding of how deals work in practice.

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Identifying Common Red Flags in M&A Case Studies

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Identifying Common Red Flags in M&A Case Studies

As most case studies revolve around M&A scenarios, you will be expected to spot both green flags (i.e. positive factors that point to the proposed deal being a good idea) and red flags (i.e. adverse factors that suggest the proposed deal should be approached with caution or aborted altogether).

Most case studies throw up similar green and red flags, and this article provides a low-down of the most common red flags indicating a proposed M&A transaction to be good for the buyer.

You may want to use this article as a mental tick-list during your case studies to ensure that you aren’t missing any potential risks!