Solicitor Apprentice Review
at CMS
Degree Apprenticeship
Legal/Law
London
Review Submitted: February 2023
Overall Rating
4.5 /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 Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
4/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
Solicitor Apprentice. Involves drafting, assisting on research and other tasks that are available.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship programme. I have found the people extremely welcoming and engaging in terms of wanting to know about the apprenticeship. I also find myself having the opportunity to get involved in a range of tasks, not just administrative jobs. This is really interesting because even if you don’t perfect the skill, every time you try the task you have that feedback and previous experience to build on rather than going kn blind.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Definitely developed my research skills. I have been able to adopt an approach that can clearly and concisely reflect the points needed.
Also my drafting ability has improved massively, mainly as a result of being thrown in to do the practical elements instead of just reading the textbooks and practice notes around the ways of drafting.
Also my drafting ability has improved massively, mainly as a result of being thrown in to do the practical elements instead of just reading the textbooks and practice notes around the ways of drafting.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
It is well structured in the fact that it is a split working week and study day. The teams are very accommodating on the study day. There is now an introduction of a check in with an early talent advisor to speak through either any issues or use it as a general catch up as to how the apprenticeship is going.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
There are a lot of avenues of support at the firm. Early talent make themselves known that they are a focus point to turn to. The supervisors I have had so far have also expressed their availability of support if needed. In my team, we have a network of trainee/apprenticeship buddies who are a group of associates that catch up with you every 2 months and discuss any issues you may have but may not want to express them to someone senior.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
Not much, the weekly emails by [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the Higherin Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] at ULaw are good and motivational but in terms of support. You are very out of the loop although the weekly seminar recordings have improved massively and they are a lot more informative than in previous units, which rushed through and didn’t really cover the content well.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
Slightly, mainly in the extra review tasks such as research, drafting but not in terms of the units themselves most probably because they don’t match up with what work I am on/team I am in. It is a wide range though and some similarities can be pulled in some instances.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
Yes
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend CMS to a friend?
Yes
Why?
My experience so far has been great. From the support of the structure to the people on the teams, which I think is a key factor in the workplace. I find the work engaging and wide ranging and would definitely encourage anyone thinking of applying to apply for a position at the firm.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to CMS?
Very generic but prepare to ask questions, think of the landscape in the future and have a mindset which is oriented on the future instead of the past and present. This will provoke new and innovative ideas which people at CMS do take consideration of. Also think around the form and the wider landscape of the legal field.
