Commercial Awareness Programmes
Our Commercial Awareness Programmes are full of valuable resources, including presentations and workshops, so you can develop all the skills you need for your career.
When we’re advising clients, it’s crucial that we’re able to see the bigger picture and identify exactly what’s needed.
That’s why commercial awareness is a huge part of being a successful lawyer. With our Launch Pad and Lift Off programmes, you’ll grow your commercial awareness by gaining a greater insight into what we do, how we operate as a business and how we constantly innovate to go beyond the expectations of our clients. What’s more, you’ll explore our world as a global elite law firm and learn about how we respond to unpredictable global events that impact business.
Key Dates & Deadlines
Applications open: 16 September 2024
Application close: 31 October 2024
Launch Pad days: 28th January & 18th February 2025
Lift Off days: 20th January & 20th February 2025
Who is it for?
We have Commercial Awareness Programmes available to students at every stage. From first-year students, to vacation scheme and training contract candidates, through to those holding training contract offers with the firm. The programmes' structures vary: we'll include relevant topics for students at different stages in the application process.
For the Launch Pad and Lift Off programmes, applications will open on Monday 16th September 2024. You'll be invited to take the online critical thinking test, and we'll aim to let you know if you've been successful two weeks after the deadline.
HL Launch Pad
For first-year students looking to gain an insight into a career in commercial law.
- Gain insights into the firm’s strategy and our response to current market trends
- Experience skills-based workshops and receive guidance from our trainee solicitors
- Gain an understanding of client work at trainee level
- Start to build your commercial awareness through our bespoke workshops
- Secure an automatic place on our first-year insight programme
HL Lift Off
For those in their penultimate year and onwards looking to secure either a vacation scheme or training contract.
- Gain in-depth knowledge about our key practice groups
- Gather insights into how we develop relationships with our clients and how we win work
- Build an understanding of a law firm’s economics
- Gain insight into how we innovate for our clients through legal case studies
- Secure an automatic place on a vacation scheme or training contract assessment day
Have a question?
Who can apply for HL Launch Pad?
HL Launch Pad is for first-year students looking to gain an insight into a career in commercial law.
What are the benefits of applying for HL Launch Pad?
HL Launch Pad consists of three insight days from January through to April in our London office. You’ll gain insights into the firm’s strategy and our response to current market trends, experience legal case studies, skills-based workshops and receive guidance from our trainees.
You’ll also secure an automatic place on our first-year insight programme for April or August.
Who can apply for HL Lift Off?
HL Lift Off is for students in their penultimate year and onwards and looking to secure either a vacation scheme or training contract with Hogan Lovells.
You can apply for Lift Off and the Summer Vacation Scheme at the same time. If you are successful for Lift Off you will be fast-tracked to a Summer Vacation Scheme Assessment Day
What are the benefits of applying for HL Lift Off?
HL Lift Off consists of three insight days from January through to April in our London office. You’ll build your commercial awareness by gaining an understanding of a law firm’s economics. Each day will help you gain in-depth knowledge about our key practice groups, gather insights into how we develop relationships with our clients and how we pitch and win work.
Through HL Lift Off you’ll secure an automatic place on a vacation scheme or training contract assessment day.
Can I find out more about the online Watson-Glaser critical thinking test?
- We use the Watson-Glaser critical thinking test.
- The online critical thinking tests assess how well you can absorb and analyse information.
- They measure your ability to evaluate arguments, deductions, inferences, and conclusions.
- They're good predictors of success in roles where you need to see things clearly from many angles and separate facts from assumptions.
- To get a feel for the intellectual demands you'll experience from day one, you can take our practice test.
- Be sure to read the feedback you receive as it will help you with the formal assessments.
How do I request adjustments during the assessment process?
We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment processes are fully inclusive and as barrier-free as possible. This includes making adjustments for candidates with disabilities or long-term health conditions. If you wish to discuss adjustments or issues at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact our Early Careers Recruitment team who will be happy to help you.
Some adjustments we have made in the past include (but are not limited to) providing extra time for reading and writing, different interview formats, extra time at interviews, and additional guidance and support, where appropriate, at each stage.
Do you recruit on a rolling basis?
Yes. We often invite candidates to take the Watson Glaser test and we screen candidates’ applications before the application deadline. We therefore, encourage applicants to apply to us as early as possible, but only after you have had enough time to thoroughly research the firm.
Who should I contact if I’m having problems with my application?
For technical queries, please email our dedicated address: support@candidats.io
If your query is about the content of the form, please contact our Early Careers Recruitment team.
If my application is unsuccessful can I reapply?
You may make one application per *recruitment cycle for a vacation scheme or direct training contract (in any location). If you applied for Lift Off and were unsuccessful, you may reapply for a vacation scheme or training contract in the same recruitment cycle.
*Our recruitment cycle runs between 1st September and 31st August each year.