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: 18 September 2023
Application close: 31 October 2023
Launch Pad days: 22nd January, 26th February, 25th March
Lift Off days: 19th January, 23rd February & 22nd March
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 18th September 2023. 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
All Systems Go
As a Future Joiner you'll join our All Systems Go programme, which will see you:
- Learn about our development programmes from trainee through to partner
- Understand the seat planning and secondment process
- Gain an insight into Hogan Lovells Dialogue: our development-focused programme
- Develop an understanding of the City Consortium SQE
- Connect with other future joiners and continue to build your network within Hogan Lovells
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 June.
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.
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.