Solicitor Apprentice Review
at CMS
Degree Apprenticeship
Manchester, UK
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
3.6 /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!
4/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
2.8/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
As a solicitor apprentice, we rotate seats every year for the first four years (while we do our LLB), and then every six months in Years 5 and 6 (when we do our SQE and are considered "trainees"). Tasks will vary between seats, but in transactional seats, you can expect to draft various legal documents, manage due diligence reports, manage data rooms and arrange signing of documents. In contentious seats, you can expect lots of correspondence with witnesses, drafting witness statements, attending hearings and legal research. Overall, apprentices are kept busy. Contrary to how people may perceive the role, apprentices aren't given trivial task such as printing or sent on coffee-runs - you are very much treated like anyone else on the team and are given "real" work.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
Overall, the work side of things are interesting. There are some quiet days, which again vary from team to team, which can be quite draining to get through, however generally, the work is stimulating and there's loads of opportunities to grow and develop. Apprentices are encouraged to discuss areas they'd like to do more work in etc. and your opinions are always valued. The uni side of things can be a bit demanding, and often times the 1 allocated study day isn't enough, often taking up some of the weekend. Being able to balance the work and study, alongside your personal and social life, is key to enjoying the programme.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Since joining, my confidence has increased tremendously, and I have also learnt many new things. Working as an apprentice has allowed me to develop my time management and organisational skills, as well as written and verbal communication. Similarly, teamwork and the ability to remain calm under stress have been key skills during my apprenticeship.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
Overall, it is well organised. The firm is really good at respecting your allocated study day, although the one day often isn't enough. The University of Law has a few areas of improvement in terms of structuring the programme, for example, some weeks we have no assignments due, but then will have back to back assignments due around our mock exams. In that sense, the academic side could be structured better, by spreading out deadlines across the semester.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
As mentioned previously, the firm is great at respecting our allocated study day. Teams are great at giving feedback and will often sit down and go through your work, not only showing where amendments were made, but also explaining the purpose behind your work and where it fits into the wider case / deal. Overall, the firm seems invested in your development and there's always someone you can go to when you're unsure about something.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
We have reviews with our allocated Skills Coach every 12 weeks, where we can discuss both the work and study side of things. These meetings are always helpful in addressing any concerns etc. however the uni itself isn't the best with feedback and study assistance. Oftentimes, when you reach out with questions, you are told they can't tell you, or will redirect you to resources which don't address your specific query. Feedback on assignments can also be vague.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
While the uni course is designed to help us with the work side of things, in reality, they don't align. The first two/three years of the LLB are just core legal modules such as tort, contract, public law etc. which doesn't really help if you're in a seat like professional discipline or corporate. Things like legal research aren't taught until much later on, which is a key skill in your role as an apprentice.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
We have various networks, some more active than others, such as the embRACE network, Women's Network, Family Network, Wellbeing Network, Muslim Network etc. These networks hold regular meetings, and also plan events throughout the years that you can get involved with. Sports teams can go abroad for matches, such as the Netball team. We also have the annual football tournament, which takes place in different countries each year, with teams from all the various CMS offices.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend CMS to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Generally the culture is good, everyone is approachable and the training is great. The work is also interesting, but they respect the work-life balance.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to CMS?
Research the firm well, in as much depth as you can.
