{"id":13430,"date":"2025-10-02T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-02T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/?post_type=profiles&#038;p=13430"},"modified":"2025-10-02T10:09:28","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T10:09:28","slug":"cms","status":"publish","type":"profiles","link":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/profiles\/cms\/","title":{"rendered":"CMS"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","jurisdictions":[],"countries":[],"cities":[],"firms_companies":[],"universities_colleges":[],"lex_survey_questions":[],"publications":[798],"tc_location":[],"class_list":["post-13430","profiles","type-profiles","status-publish","hentry","publications-future-lawyers-2025-26"],"acf":[],"featured_image_urls":{},"appp_media":null,"appp":{"post_list":{"below_title":"<div class=\"lex-profile-list-intro\"><div class=\"letterhead\">\n            \n\t\t\t<h1 class=\"styled\">CMS<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t<img class=\"firm-logo\" height=\"200\" width=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/cms-2021.jpg\" alt=\"CMS law firm logo\" \/>\n\t<meta class=\"swiftype\" name=\"image\" data-type=\"enum\" content=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/cms-2021.jpg\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"contact-box\">\n<div class=\"address contact\"><i class=\"fa fa-building\"><\/i> Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AF<\/div><div class=\"web contact\"><i class=\"fa fa-globe\"><\/i> <a class=\"firm-website\" target=\"_blank\"  href=\"https:\/\/cms.law\/en\/gbr\/\">Visit website<\/a><\/div><div class=\"email contact\"><i class=\"fa fa-envelope\"><\/i> <a class=\"firm-email\" href=\"mailto: emergingtalent@cms-cmno.com?subject=Enquiry via lex100.com\">E-mail firm<\/a><\/div><div class=\"phone contact\"><i class=\"fa fa-phone\"><\/i> 020 7367 3000<\/div><div class=\"linkedin contact\"><i class=\"fa fa-linkedin\"><\/i> <a class=\"firm-linkedin\" target=\"_blank\"  href=\"https:\/\/uk.linkedin.com\/showcase\/cms-earlytalentacquisition\/\">LinkedIn<\/a><\/div><div class=\"instagram contact\"><i class=\"fa fa-instagram\"><\/i> <a class=\"firm-instagram\" target=\"_blank\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/cmslaw.careers\">Instagram<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"badges\"><i class='fa fa-trophy' aria-hidden='true'><\/i> CMS is a The Legal 500 Future Lawyers Winner in 5 categories: <a href='\/future-lawyers\/survey\/future-lawyers-winners\/how-would-you-rate-the-client-secondment-opportunities-available\/' target='_blank'> Client secondments<\/a>,<a href='\/future-lawyers\/survey\/future-lawyers-winners\/how-would-you-rate-the-eco-friendliness-and-or-sustainability-of-your-firm\/' target='_blank'> Sustainability<\/a>,<a href='\/future-lawyers\/survey\/future-lawyers-winners\/how-would-you-rate-the-legal-technology-offering-at-your-firm\/' target='_blank'> Legal technology<\/a>,<a href='\/future-lawyers\/survey\/future-lawyers-winners\/how-would-you-rate-the-inclusiveness-of-your-workplace-environment\/' target='_blank'> Inclusiveness<\/a>,<a href='\/future-lawyers\/survey\/future-lawyers-winners\/how-would-you-rate-the-international-secondment-opportunities-available\/' target='_blank'> International secondments<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"apply-buttons\">\n<div class=\"grad_web\"><button class=\"grad-rec\" style=\"position:relative; height: 56px;\"><a style=\"padding-top: 15px; position: absolute; top: 0; right: 0; bottom: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; color: #fff;\" class=\"firm-grad-site\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/cmsemergingtalent.com\/\">Visit Graduate Recruitment Site<\/a><\/button><\/div><div class=\"apply_link\"><button class=\"apply-now\" style=\"position:relative; height: 56px;\"><a style=\"padding-top: 15px; position: absolute; top: 0; right: 0; bottom: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; color: #fff;\" class=\"firm-apply-link\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/cmscmno.grad.allhires.com\/app\/\">Apply Now<\/a><\/button><\/div><\/div>\n\n                    \n        <\/div><span class=\"profile-link\">View Profile<\/span><\/div>"},"post_detail":{"below_title":"<div class=\"letterhead\"><div class=\"letterhead\">\n            \n\t\t\t<h1 class=\"styled\">CMS<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t<img class=\"firm-logo\" height=\"200\" width=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/cms-2021.jpg\" alt=\"CMS law firm logo\" \/>\n\t<meta class=\"swiftype\" name=\"image\" data-type=\"enum\" content=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/cms-2021.jpg\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"contact-box\">\n<div class=\"address contact\"><i class=\"fa fa-building\"><\/i> Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AF<\/div><div class=\"web contact\"><i class=\"fa fa-globe\"><\/i> <a class=\"firm-website\" target=\"_blank\"  href=\"https:\/\/cms.law\/en\/gbr\/\">Visit website<\/a><\/div><div class=\"email contact\"><i class=\"fa fa-envelope\"><\/i> <a class=\"firm-email\" href=\"mailto: emergingtalent@cms-cmno.com?subject=Enquiry via lex100.com\">E-mail firm<\/a><\/div><div class=\"phone contact\"><i class=\"fa fa-phone\"><\/i> 020 7367 3000<\/div><div class=\"linkedin contact\"><i class=\"fa fa-linkedin\"><\/i> <a class=\"firm-linkedin\" target=\"_blank\"  href=\"https:\/\/uk.linkedin.com\/showcase\/cms-earlytalentacquisition\/\">LinkedIn<\/a><\/div><div class=\"instagram contact\"><i class=\"fa fa-instagram\"><\/i> <a class=\"firm-instagram\" target=\"_blank\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/cmslaw.careers\">Instagram<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"badges\"><i class='fa fa-trophy' aria-hidden='true'><\/i> CMS is a The Legal 500 Future Lawyers Winner in 5 categories: <a href='\/future-lawyers\/survey\/future-lawyers-winners\/how-would-you-rate-the-client-secondment-opportunities-available\/' target='_blank'> Client secondments<\/a>,<a href='\/future-lawyers\/survey\/future-lawyers-winners\/how-would-you-rate-the-eco-friendliness-and-or-sustainability-of-your-firm\/' target='_blank'> Sustainability<\/a>,<a href='\/future-lawyers\/survey\/future-lawyers-winners\/how-would-you-rate-the-legal-technology-offering-at-your-firm\/' target='_blank'> Legal technology<\/a>,<a href='\/future-lawyers\/survey\/future-lawyers-winners\/how-would-you-rate-the-inclusiveness-of-your-workplace-environment\/' target='_blank'> Inclusiveness<\/a>,<a href='\/future-lawyers\/survey\/future-lawyers-winners\/how-would-you-rate-the-international-secondment-opportunities-available\/' target='_blank'> International secondments<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"apply-buttons\">\n<div class=\"grad_web\"><button class=\"grad-rec\" style=\"position:relative; height: 56px;\"><a style=\"padding-top: 15px; position: absolute; top: 0; right: 0; bottom: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; color: #fff;\" class=\"firm-grad-site\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/cmsemergingtalent.com\/\">Visit Graduate Recruitment Site<\/a><\/button><\/div><div class=\"apply_link\"><button class=\"apply-now\" style=\"position:relative; height: 56px;\"><a style=\"padding-top: 15px; position: absolute; top: 0; right: 0; bottom: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; color: #fff;\" class=\"firm-apply-link\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/cmscmno.grad.allhires.com\/app\/\">Apply Now<\/a><\/button><\/div><\/div>\n\n                    \n        <\/div><\/div><div class=\"survey-scores\"><h2 style=\"color: #111;\">Trainee Feedback<\/h2>\r\n<ul style=\"list-type:none; color: #111;\">\r\n<li style=\"width:77.7%\">77.7<span class=\"score-title\">Satisfaction<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:77.7%\">77.7<span class=\"score-title\">Work quality<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:71.1%\">71.1<span class=\"score-title\">Client contact<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:69.5%\">69.5<span class=\"score-title\">Quality of client contact<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:80.7%\">80.7<span class=\"score-title\">Client secondments<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:72.5%\">72.5<span class=\"score-title\">Work\/life<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:62.2%\">62.2<span class=\"score-title\">Social life<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:%\">82.2<span class=\"score-title\">Vac. Scheme<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:66.6%\">66.6<span class=\"score-title\">Confidence<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:71.8%\">71.8<span class=\"score-title\">Remuneration<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:79.9%\">79.9<span class=\"score-title\">Inclusiveness<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:77%\">77<span class=\"score-title\">International<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:88.8%\">88.8<span class=\"score-title\">Approachability<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><div class=\"profile-content-1\"> \n<article id=\"post-13430\" class=\"post-13430 profiles type-profiles status-publish hentry publications-future-lawyers-2025-26\">\n\t\n\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t\t\n\t<\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\n\t<div class=\"entry-content\">\n\n<div class=\"survey-results tab-listing\">  \n   \n        \n<h2>Survey Results - Trainee feedback on <span class=\"highlight-firm\">CMS<\/span><\/h2>\n\n           <style>\n#chartdiv {\n  width: 100%;\n  height: 800px;\n}\n\n<\/style>\n            \n  <!-- Resources -->\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.amcharts.com\/lib\/4\/core.js\"><\/script>\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.amcharts.com\/lib\/4\/charts.js\"><\/script>\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.amcharts.com\/lib\/4\/themes\/animated.js\"><\/script>\n            \n<!-- HTML -->\n<div id=\"chartdiv\"><\/div>\n        \n<!-- Chart code -->\n<script>\n\/\/ Themes begin\nam4core.useTheme(am4themes_animated);\n\/\/ Themes end\n\n\/\/ Create chart instance\nvar chart = am4core.create(\"chartdiv\", am4charts.XYChart3D);\n\n\/\/ Add data\nchart.data = [{\n  \"question\": \"Satisfaction\",\n  \"result\": \"77.7\",\n  \"explanation\": \"How would you rate your overall job satisfaction?\" \n},{\n  \"question\": \"Expectations\",\n  \"result\": \"\",\n  \"explanation\": \"How far has the firm lived up to your expectations?\" \n},{\n  \"question\": \"Work quality\",\n  \"result\": \"77.7\",\n  \"explanation\": \"How would you rate the quality of work you are given?\" \n},{\n  \"question\": \"Client contact\",\n  \"result\": \"71.1\",\n  \"explanation\": \"How would you rate your amount of client contact?\" \n},{\n  \"question\": \"Work\/life\",\n  \"result\": \"72.5\",\n  \"explanation\": \"How happy are you with your work\/life balance?\" \n},{\n  \"question\": \"Social life\",\n  \"result\": \"62.2\",\n  \"explanation\": \"How good is your firm\u2019s social life?\" \n},\n\n\n\n{\n  \"question\": \"Vac. Scheme\",\n  \"result\": \"82.2\",\n  \"explanation\": \"If you did a vacation scheme with your firm, how would you rate it?\" \n},\n\n\n\n{\n  \"question\": \"Confidence\",\n  \"result\": \"66.6\",\n  \"explanation\": \"How confident are you that you will be kept on at the end of your training contract?\" \n},{\n  \"question\": \"Remuneration\",\n  \"result\": \"71.8\",\n  \"explanation\": \"How satisfied are you with your financial remuneration?\" \n},{\n  \"question\": \"Inclusiveness\",\n  \"result\": \"79.9\",\n  \"explanation\": \"How would you rate the inclusiveness of your workplace environment?\" \n},\n\n\n{\n  \"question\": \"International\",\n  \"result\": \"77\",\n  \"explanation\": \"How would you rate the international secondment opportunities available?\" \n},\n\n\n{\n  \"question\": \"Approachability\",\n  \"result\": \"88.8\",\n  \"explanation\": \"How approachable are your supervisors?\" \n}];\n\n\/\/ Create axes\nvar categoryAxis = chart.yAxes.push(new am4charts.CategoryAxis());\ncategoryAxis.dataFields.category = \"question\";\ncategoryAxis.numberFormatter.numberFormat = \"#\";\ncategoryAxis.renderer.inversed = true;\n\nvar valueAxis = chart.xAxes.push(new am4charts.ValueAxis()); \n\nvalueAxis.title.text = \"Survey Score (\/100)\";\nvalueAxis.min = 0;\nvalueAxis.max = 100;\n\n\/\/ Create series\nvar series = chart.series.push(new am4charts.ColumnSeries3D());\nseries.dataFields.valueX = \"result\";\nseries.dataFields.categoryY = \"question\";\nseries.name = \"Income\";\nseries.columns.template.propertyFields.fill = \"color\";\nseries.columns.template.tooltipText = \"{explanation} {valueX}\";\nseries.columns.template.column3D.stroke = am4core.color(\"#fff\");\nseries.columns.template.column3D.strokeOpacity = 0.2;\n<\/script>\n\n\n<\/div>        \n        \n           \n\t\t\n\t\t    <h2 class=\"tab-listing\">The lowdown - Trainees (in their own words) on <span class=\"highlight-firm\">CMS<\/span><\/h2>\n        <p><p><strong>Why did you choose this firm over any others?<\/strong> \u2018I worked as a paralegal at the firm prior to my training contract and I liked the culture\u2019, \u2018opportunities available, standing in the market\u2019, \u2018culture\u2019, \u2018size of the firm, but with approachable, down-to-earth people\u2019, \u2018liked the culture, have some interesting clients and good sustainability initiatives\/lead the way in this regard\u2019, \u2018international opportunities, quality of the clients and work &#8211; opportunity to be involved in large complex transactions and deals\u2019<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best thing about the firm?<\/strong> \u2018The culture\u2019, \u2018the people are great to work with and you have the ability to learn from some of the best lawyers in the country\u2019, \u2018the opportunities to get involved with BD, Pro Bono work &#8211; it is actively encouraged\u2019, \u2018the strength of its full service offering\u2019, \u2018everyone if very approachable and you have as much interaction with NQ\/Associates as you do with partners\u2019, \u2018the other trainees &#8211; there are so many so easy to make friends\u2019<\/p>\n<p><strong>Worst thing about the firm?<\/strong> \u2018Lack of transparency regarding seat options\/the decision-making process\u2019, \u2018lack of support for trainees as a group- unfortunately very poor trainee HR department\u2019, \u2018it is questionable how the recruitment is carried out when you interact with other trainees\u2019, \u2018sometimes the size, and amount of separate administrative teams\u2019, \u2018working London hours without the London wage\u2019<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best moment?<\/strong> \u2018Attending hearings independently\u2019, \u2018opportunities to get involved in high value litigations\u2019, \u2018fantastic client contact at in-person mediations, in court and at witness statement meetings\u2019, \u2018secondment opportunity\u2019, \u2018running a banking transaction practically on my own, with little to no supervision from the senior associate\u2019, \u2018getting positive feedback from partners and supervisors\u2019<\/p>\n<p><strong>Worst moment?<\/strong> \u2018Lack of seat options\u2019, \u2018the very long hours and stress that comes with the job\u2019, \u2018seat selection process\u2019, \u2018work handover from the trainee before me was extremely ad hoc and disorganised, needed to be pro-active and constantly communicating in order to ascertain what work I was picking up\u2019, \u2018a week of having to trawl through hard copy corporate files and notes from years ago to see if there was anything relevant to a potential dispute&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/p>\n                \n               \n      <h2 class=\"tab-listing\" id=\"verdict\">The Lex 100 verdict on <span class=\"highlight-firm\">CMS<\/span><\/h2>\n       \n        \n      \n             \n        <p>    \n\t<p>CMS is a giant of the UK legal market, but trainees say it manages to balance scale with a culture that feels approachable. Several recruits had already worked at the firm before their training contract, and they were drawn back by the \u201cfriendly nature of the staff,\u201d the \u201cfuture-facing\u201d focus on technology and sustainability, and the breadth of practice areas. With standout expertise in energy, projects, and international work, the firm also offers what one trainee called \u201ca more friendly, better work-life balance for good remuneration\u201d compared with some competitors. Training at CMS is described as \u201csupportive where needed but with good autonomy.\u201d There\u2019s \u201cfar higher quality of work and better client contact than other trainees receive\u201d in the regions, while in Scotland, the balance of culture and quality comes out ahead of rivals. Formal seat options can be a little less extensive in some offices, but on the whole, trainees enjoy \u201ca wide variety of teams and many seats available including secondments.\u201d Supervisors get positive feedback for being approachable and willing to delegate responsibility early. Trainees are quick to highlight \u201cthe people\u201d as the best part of life at CMS \u2014 \u201cfriendly, approachable, supportive, willing to delegate and provide learning opportunities and, most importantly, up for an after-work drink.\u201d The calibre of clients impresses too, with big-name matters providing proud moments: attending hearings, closing headline-making transactions, or taking the lead at mediations. Client secondments are \u201creally positive\u201d and \u201cinvaluable in understanding the client relationship,\u201d while international opportunities get strong reviews \u2014 though Scottish trainees in particular note a lack of transparency around how these are allocated. The picture isn\u2019t perfect. Pay is a recurring complaint, with some noting that trainee salaries fall short of expectations given the hours: \u201cLondon hours without the London wage.\u201d Seat allocation processes and HR support also come in for criticism, with some frustration at \u201ca lack of transparency\u201d and social life being \u201cnot as strong as it could be.\u201d On the plus side, hybrid working is \u201cvery good and flexible,\u201d though policies can vary by team. Pro bono and CSR are a strong point, with \u201clots of opportunities\u201d and \u201cexcellent initiatives that make a difference to the community.\u201d Overall, CMS is praised for combining heavyweight clients and international reach with a down-to-earth culture \u2014 making it a compelling choice for trainees seeking high-quality work without losing sight of balance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n        \n             \n                \n        \t\t<p>        \n              \n\n\n           \n        \n         \t\t \n\t\t <h2 id=\"ditl\">A day in the life of... Grace Owen-Ellis, trainee, CMS<\/h2>\n\t\t <p>\t\t <p><strong>Departments to date:<\/strong> Real estate disputes (RED); Planning<\/p>         \n\t\t \t\t <p><strong>University: <\/strong>\n\t\t \t\t University of Exeter; University of Law\t\t \t\t <\/p>\n\t\t         \n\t\t <p><strong>Degree:<\/strong> History and Spanish (dual honours) 1st class; GDL with Distinction; LPC with Distinction<\/p>    <\/p>  \n\t\t <p><p>I get in around 9.30 in the morning, say hi to my team, and head straight to Cannons to pick up my free barista coffee before 10.30, and a \u00a31.50 breakfast from the yogurt bar (or a five-item full English if needed!).<\/p>\n<p>I usually have a few meetings a day, either within the team to catch up on where we\u2019re at on a certain matter, or with another team at CMS to check in. I also regularly attend client calls to update them on how a matter is progressing, explaining next steps, and outlining any further information we need from them. Trainees are an instrumental part of matter management in the teams I have been in so far, and it is often our responsibility to produce trackers and roadmaps of how we plan to achieve a client\u2019s goal, and to maintain regular contact with the client, the other side, and all other stakeholders to keep things moving. As CMS is highly ranked in both teams I have been in, I have worked with some really interesting clients, and frequently see the matters I am working on pop up in the news.<\/p>\n<p>For lunch, the other trainees and I head down to Cannons to get a \u00a33.50 hot or cold lunch, and I usually get the incredible salad bar, or whatever the pop up of the day is \u2013 recently we have had tacos, Greek-style street wraps, and mac and cheese. If the weather is nice, we will get this to take away and go sit by the Thames for some sunshine, which is less than 5 minutes way.<\/p>\n<p>In between meetings, I will usually get stuck into meaty research tasks for unusual or cutting-edge areas of law, which I find really interesting. It can sometimes feel a bit like searching for a needle in a haystack but all my supervisors have always been brilliant at pointing me in the right direction, suggesting useful resources and starting points, and letting me know early on if they think a certain line of research may just be a rabbit hole. We also have a great Knowledge team who can set up instant email alerts for updates on cases, parliamentary proceedings and news, and are brilliant at digging up tricky to find archived cases, leases or planning permissions. I also do a lot of first drafts of legal documents. In real estate disputes these involved tenancies at will, settlement agreements and letters before action, and in planning they have involved s106 agreements and due diligence reports.<\/p>\n<p>I also get involved with lots of the CSR and pro bono projects, and will find time in my day to assist with organising initiatives such as CMS Pride, volunteering at St Luke\u2019s community centre, or helping with the scholarships scheme. My supervisors have always been really supportive of my involvement with non-billable projects, and are happy to approve my requests to be out of office for a day\/afternoon to volunteer.<\/p>\n<p>I usually finish work at about 6.30, giving me plenty of time to exercise or socialise after work, although I am aware that some of my friends in others teams usually finish later. If I do end up having to work later, I will usually leave the office at 7ish and continue working from home. Everyone in the teams I\u2019ve been in has been really encouraging of this, and completely understand whenever you need to work from home\/head home early.<\/p>\n<p>In the evenings, playing for a CMS sports team is a great way to meet amazing people from different teams at all level, and I play tag rugby on Mondays and netball on Tuesdays. In June I went on two CMS-funded sports tours, to Dublin with tag rugby and La Manga with netball, which were both incredible fun. I look forward to getting involved in the famous CMS football world cup next time round.<\/p>\n<p>Overall, CMS has a brilliant culture and I have really enjoyed undertaking a range of interesting and challenging work overseen by really supportive supervisors, and have enjoyed being able to indulge in lots of \u2018extra-curricular\u2019 activities such as sports and volunteering as well.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n\t\t \n        \n                <h2 id=\"about\">About the firm<\/h2>\n        <p><p><strong>The firm:<\/strong> CMS is a future facing firm. Whether stakeholders are big or small, they always have the firm\u2019s full attention and expertise.<\/p>\n<p>The pace at which the world is changing is staggering and a slowdown is nowhere in sight. Technology is expanding the boundaries of what is possible, opening up new markets, sectors and opportunities. To make the most of these, CMS provides sound business strategies to clients, supporting development and implementation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The deals:<\/strong> Please see\u202four website.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Senior partner:<\/strong> Charles Currier<\/p>\n<p><strong>Managing partner:<\/strong> Stephen Millar<\/p>\n<p><strong>Other offices: <\/strong>80+<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who we are:<\/strong> CMS is a full-service law firm combining top-quality sector expertise with international scale. CMS puts the interests of clients at the heart of everything they do across 90 offices in over 50 countries in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and South America. With more than 1,300 partners and 7,200+ lawyers, CMS works in cross-border teams to deliver top-quality, practical advice.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What we do:<\/strong> The firm is recognised for its sector excellence and focus in consumer products; energy; financial institutions; hotels and leisure; infrastructure and projects; life sciences and healthcare; real estate; and technology, media and telecommunications.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What we&#8217;re looking for in a trainee:<\/strong> We\u2019re looking for well-rounded individuals who can demonstrate the following qualities: personal effectiveness; professional communication; drive for achievement; leading self and others; future facing approach; relationship-building skills; and commercial awareness.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What you\u2019ll do:<\/strong> Typically, you will complete four six-month-long seats across a two-year period, working across different practice groups. We also provide alternative qualification routes, such as part-time training contracts, which are offered on a case-by-case basis.<\/p>\n<p>Meeting clients and working alongside lawyers at all levels will soon become second nature to you.<\/p>\n<p>Courses, lectures and workshops will sharpen your technical expertise. On-the-job training and technical workshops will broaden your skillset.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Perks: <\/strong>Benefits include corporate and subsidised gym membership, flexible holiday allowance, private medical\/dental care, cycle to work scheme, employee referral scheme.<\/p>\n<\/p>         \n              \n      <h2 class=\"tab-listing\" id=\"other\">Diversity and inclusion<\/h2>\n\t  \n      <div id=\"diversity\"><p>Please visit\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/cms.law\/en\/gbr\/about-us\/diversity-inclusion\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/cms.law\/en\/gbr\/about-us\/diversity-inclusion<\/a>\u202ffor information.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Percentage of female associates: <\/strong>63%<\/p>\n<p><strong>Percentage of female partners: <\/strong>37%<\/p>\n<p><strong>Percentage of BAME associates: <\/strong>17%<\/p>\n<p><strong>Percentage of BAME partners: <\/strong>6%<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n            \n      \n            \n                 \n            \n              \n       \n                 \n        \t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-## --><\/div><div class=\"profile-content-2\">   \r\n\r\n<div id=\"profile-contents\">\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"widget-title\">Contents<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"contents\">\r\n<li><a href=\"#verdict\">The verdict<\/a><\/li> <li><a href=\"#ditl\">A day in the life of...<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#about\">About us<\/a><\/li>  <li><a href=\"#diversity\">Diversity and inclusion<\/a><\/li>          \r\n<li><a href=\"#facts\">Facts and figures<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\r\n        \r\n<\/div> \r\n\r\n\r\n<div id=\"application-process\">\r\n \r\n<h2 class=\"widget-title\">Application process for CMS<\/h2>\r\n<p><strong>How:<\/strong> Online application form.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s involved in application:<\/strong> The typical recruitment process for our programmes is an online application form, critical thinking test, video interview and final stage assessment.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Person in charge of recruitment:<\/strong> Peter Arnold, CMS Head of Emerging Talent.<\/p>\n<p><strong>When:<\/strong> Applications open 29 September 2025<\/p>\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n    \r\n<div id=\"salary\"> \r\n \r\n  <h2 class=\"widget-title\">Salary at CMS<\/h2>\r\n  <p><strong>First year salary:<\/strong> \u00a350,000 (London); \u00a343,000 (Bristol); \u00a328,000 (Glasgow\/Edinburgh); \u00a331,500 (Sheffield); \u00a328,000 (Aberdeen); \u00a331,500 (Manchester)<\/p>  <p><strong>Second year salary:<\/strong> \u00a355,000 (London); \u00a346,000 (Bristol); \u00a331,000 (Glasgow\/Edinburgh); \u00a334,500 (Sheffield); \u00a331,000 (Aberdeen); \u00a334,500 (Manchester)<\/p>  <p><strong>Newly qualified salary:<\/strong> \u00a3110,000 (London); \u00a370,000 (Bristol); \u00a362,000 (Glasgow\/Edinburgh); \u00a362,000 (Sheffield); \u00a362,000 (Aberdeen); \u00a362,000 (Manchester)<\/p>\r\n\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n <div id=\"facts-figures\">\r\n \r\n  <h2 id=\"facts\" class=\"widget-title\">Facts and figures<\/h2>\r\n  <p><p><strong>Total partners:<\/strong> 1,300+<\/p>\n<p><strong>Other fee-earners:<\/strong> 7,200+<\/p>\n<p><strong>Total trainees:<\/strong> 194<\/p>\n<p><strong>Trainee places available for 2028:<\/strong> 90<\/p>\n<p><strong>Applications received pa:<\/strong> Approx 3,135<\/p>\n<\/p>\r\n  \r\n<\/div>\r\n \r\n      \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<!--\t  \r\n\r\n    \r\n<h2 class=\"widget-title\">If  were a fictional character it would be\u2026<\/h2>\r\n        \t\t\r\n<br><\/br>\r\n<br><\/br> -->\r\n\r\n   \r\n\r\n<div id=\"videos\">\r\n\r\n       \r\n\r\n        \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; overflow: hidden; margin-bottom: 20px;\"><iframe src=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"auto\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" style=\"position: absolute;\"><\/iframe><\/div>\r\n\r\n<div style=\"position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; overflow: hidden; margin-bottom: 20px;\"><iframe src=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"auto\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" style=\"position: absolute;\"><\/iframe><\/div>\r\n\r\n<div style=\"position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; overflow: hidden; margin-bottom: 20px;\"><iframe src=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"auto\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" style=\"position: absolute;\"><\/iframe><\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<!-- <div id=\"twitter-feed\">\r\n<a class=\"twitter-timeline\" data-height=\"550\" data-theme=\"light\" href=\"\"><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\r\n<\/div>  -->\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n\t\r\n<\/div>"}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/profiles\/13430","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/profiles"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/profiles"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13430"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"jurisdictions","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/jurisdictions?post=13430"},{"taxonomy":"countries","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/countries?post=13430"},{"taxonomy":"cities","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cities?post=13430"},{"taxonomy":"firms_companies","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/firms_companies?post=13430"},{"taxonomy":"universities_colleges","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/universities_colleges?post=13430"},{"taxonomy":"lex_survey_questions","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/lex_survey_questions?post=13430"},{"taxonomy":"publications","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publications?post=13430"},{"taxonomy":"tc_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tc_location?post=13430"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}