CMS - True Picture - Chambers Student Guide

CMS

Cannon Place,
78 Cannon Street,
London,
EC4N 6AF
Website https://cms.law/en/GBR/

Firm profile:
CMS is a Future Facing organisation of independent law firms. Whether stakeholders are big or small, they always have the firm’s full attention and expertise. In a world of ever-accelerating change where technology is increasingly important, their clear, business-focused advice helps clients of every size to face the future with confidence.

CMS UK operates as an international law firm with offices in Central and Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East while collaborating closely with other CMS law firms that cover markets such as Germany, France, The Netherlands, and so on. CMS embraces technology and are committed to new ideas that challenge conventional ways of doing things. CMS puts the interests of clients at the heart of everything they do across 84 offices in 40+ countries in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and South America. With more than 1,300+ partners and 6,300 + lawyers, CMS works in cross-border teams to deliver top quality, practical advice. The firm is recognised for its sector excellence and focus in consumer products; energy; financial institutions; hotels & leisure; infrastructure & projects; life sciences & healthcare; real estate; and technology, media & telecommunications.

When it comes to what they’re looking for, keen intellect is vital, but CMS are looking for much more than academic qualifications. Whether applicants are law students, non-law students or career changers, the skills required include personal effectiveness, professional communication, drive for achievement and having a future facing outlook.

Main areas of work:
CMS always strives to put their clients at the centre of what they do. As well as their industry sector focus, they are also a full service law firm working across banking and finance, commercial, competition and EU, consumer products, corporate, dispute resolution, employment and pensions, hotels and leisure, infrastructure and project finance, insurance and funds, intellectual property, private equity, real estate and construction and tax.

Training opportunities:
The route to securing a training contract with CMS is through an assessment day. Upon successful completion of the assessment day candidates will be offered a direct training contract plus be enrolled on the firm’s award-winning CMS Academy programme. Their two-year training contracts feature four six-month seats and include opportunities for international or client secondments. CMS also offers insight to the firm through their Insight Day, Insight Programme, work experience programme (CMS Connect) and Law Scholarships. The firm further offers Solicitor Apprenticeships, Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeships and their Business Development and Marketing Graduate Programme.

Insight Programme:

If you are interested in a career in law and want to know what life is really like at a future facing global law firm, researching online is one thing. However, trying it for yourself is completely different – and that’s the purpose of this programme.

Whatever your background, the programme’s blend of practical work experience, skills sessions, trainee shadowing, and networking will build your knowledge and your contacts in equal measure. You will be invited to social events, lunches, and coffee networking where you’ll get to meet representatives from across the firm.

Successfully complete the week long programme and you could be fast-tracked to an assessment day for a training contract.

Each participant is paid £450 to attend the programme for the week.

Eligibility criteria for programmes can be found on the website: https://cmsemergingtalent.com/programmes/

First-year opportunities:

CMS are launching a brand new Insight Day for first year students in March 2025.

Further details and eligibility criteria for programmes can be found on the website: https://cmsemergingtalent.com/programmes/

Other benefits:
Gym membership/subsidiary of up to 50% of gym fees, life insurance, pension scheme, private medical insurance, season ticket loan, cycle scheme, eye and dental care and 25 days holiday plus Holiday Purchase Scheme (5 days).