Let’s talk about two final-year law students, Rohan and Priya.

On paper, they look identical. Both are from a top law school, have an excellent 8+ CGPA, have participated in a few moot courts, and have written a couple of papers. They both apply for a coveted internship at a Tier-1 law firm.

Rohan’s application gets rejected without an interview. Priya not only gets the interview but aces it and lands the internship.

What happened here?

It wasn’t a secret connection or pure luck. And it certainly wasn’t their grades. Priya demonstrated one crucial skill that Rohan, and most law schools, completely overlooked.

It’s called Commercial Acumen.

What on earth is Commercial Acumen?

In simple terms, it’s the ability to see the bigger picture. It’s understanding that a law firm is a business, and its clients are also businesses. A student with commercial acumen doesn’t just ask, “What is the law on this issue?” They also ask, “Why does this legal issue matter to the client’s balance sheet?” or “How does this contract dispute affect the client’s market reputation?”

Law schools are fantastic at teaching you the law. They train you to be a brilliant legal scholar. But law firms aren’t just looking for scholars. They are looking for future partners, that is to say, professionals who can give practical, business-savvy advice that helps a client make money or save money.

So, why is it a game-changer?

When a recruiter sees a CV that demonstrates commercial awareness, they don’t see a student anymore. They see a potential asset. They see someone who understands that the goal isn’t just to be legally correct, but to be commercially useful. This is the skill that separates a good candidate from a must-hire candidate. It’s the bridge between thinking like a student and thinking like a professional.

How can you start building it today?

1. Read Beyond the Law: Swap one legal journal for a business newspaper. Spend 20 minutes a day understanding what’s happening in the worlds of tech, finance, and manufacturing.
2. Connect the Dots: When you read about a big merger, think about the legal work involved: due diligence, contracts, regulatory approvals.
3. Frame Your Experience: On your CV, don’t just say, “Researched contract law.” Say, “Researched contract law to help identify risks for a client in a ₹50 Crore construction deal.” See the difference?

Knowing about this skill is the first step. But effectively showcasing it on your CV, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile is the real challenge. It requires a specific strategy to frame your experiences in a way that screams professional awareness.

That’s precisely why we built the LexFrame Career Accelerator 2025. It is a comprehensive program designed to help you get better internships and even PPOs. The course provides the blueprint for crafting applications that demonstrate the commercial acumen top law firms are searching for. If you’re ready to build a truly compelling professional profile, you can learn more by going through the brochure (link below) and register for the Accelerator here.