CMS Academy Participant Review
at CMS
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Corporate Law
London
Review Submitted: July 2023
Overall Rating
4.7 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
-
Overview of Experience
4.5/5
-
Skills Development
4.8/5
-
Company Culture
5/5
-
Overall Experience
4/5
-
Recommendations and Advice
Overview of Experience
Please give an overview of the insight and what was involved on a day-to-day basis.
On a day-to-day basis, I was tasked with various jobs from my Supervisor and trainee buddy, ranging from managing client Dealrooms, preparing indexes, reviewing hard copy documents, drafting emails, analysing contractual clauses and research.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
CMS organised several roundtable Q&As with lawyers across various departments of the firm, providing an insight into how you're able to evolve throughout your career and the different types of roles certain lawyers plan within the firm (for example, generalists vs specialists).
Please rate how insightful you found the insight
5/5
How would you rate the structure of the insight
5/5
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
I was able to broaden my knowledge about Construction law more generally, the types of contracts normally used, the main challenges facing the industry, and also the key legislation shaping buildings are constructed and managed. In terms of skills, I was able to refine my time management skills, communication and resilience, often being asked to meet specific client deadlines.
How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
5/5
How would you rate the knowledge learned around industry-specific skills during the experience?
4/5
How would you rate the knowledge learned around personal or professional skills during the experience?
5/5
Please rate how the knowledge learned has helped you with regards to your career development
4/5
Company Culture
How would you rate business leader involvement during the insight
5/5
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
The team itself was warm, approachable, and always on hand to answer any questions and lend support. Within the Vac scheme cohort itself, the atmosphere was less competitive and more supportive, helping to make the experience thoroughly enjoyable and affable.
How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
5/5
How would you rate the networking opportunities?
4/5
Please rate how valued you felt during your insight?
5/5
Overall Experience
To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
I enjoyed the insight very much, as it's one thing to read about a firm's culture, and another matter altogether being able to live and breathe it for several weeks.
Please rate your level of enjoyment on the insight
5/5
Please rate how your experience met your expectations
5/5
Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
I was paid and reimbursed expenses
Recommendations and Advice
Please rate the future employment prospects at CMS
4/5
Would you recommend CMS to a friend?
Yes
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to CMS
Firstly, be yourself. I would also recommend going to Insight days to find out more about the firm if possible, and applying for the Early Steps program. Both provide invaluable insights into the day to day life at the firm. Otherwise, it's worth reaching out to somebody currently at the firm on social media (e.g. LinkedIn) to ask some targeted questions to better understand the firm's culture.
