solicitor apprentice Review
at CMS
Degree Apprenticeship
Commercial Law, Legal/Law
London
Review Submitted: March 2026
Overall Rating
4.4 /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!
4.5/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
4.2/5
-
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
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
legal research, drafting, presentations, speedy note taking.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
clear career progression
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
regular check ins
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
regular check ins
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
cms football team, SMILE network, team socials etc.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend CMS to a friend?
Yes
Why?
It's a welcoming and inclusive environment with a well set up programme, having been one of the earlier firms to experiment with the solicitor apprenticeship. The experience you gain is invaluable, even just by listening in during important meetings.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to CMS?
It's easy to get lost in thinking what firms like CMS want from you, but it is just as important to know if you want them. Ensure that your values are aligned and that the opportunities offered are of interest to you, as this makes expressing your 'why' so much easier. There is no magic formula on how to stand out, you stand out by linking your personal and unique experiences to the soft skills that you have gained. No experience is irrelevant or silly, there's always a lesson to share and reflect on.
