Trainee Solicitor Review

As a trainee solicitor at CMS, I completed four six-month seats across different departments during the two-year programme. The work varied significantly between seats, ranging from managing my own matters to supporting more complex cases as part of a wider team.

As a trainee solicitor, you are given increasing levels of responsibility as your seat progresses. Initially, supervisors will assess your skills and experience, but as you demonstrate your capabilities and build trust within the team, you are given greater autonomy and ownership of your work.

Throughout my training contract, I have developed a broad range of technical and professional skills. In particular, I have learnt how to adapt my communication style to suit different clients, colleagues and stakeholders, and my confidence has grown significantly as a result of the varied work and responsibilities I have undertaken.
The most valuable skill I have developed is the ability to use my initiative. As a trainee, it is important not only to complete the task you have been asked to do, but also to think critically about the wider matter, identify potential issues, and suggest practical next steps to your supervisor. Doing so demonstrates both a strong understanding of the immediate task and an appreciation of the broader commercial and strategic objectives of the case.

As mentioned, at the start of each seat you typically receive a higher level of supervision and guidance while the team gets to know your skills and experience. As you demonstrate your capability and build trust, you are given greater autonomy and responsibility for your work. That said, CMS has a very supportive culture, and colleagues at all levels are approachable and willing to provide guidance whenever needed. In my experience, the firm strikes a good balance between empowering trainees to work independently and ensuring support is available when required.

The firm’s culture is one of the main reasons I have stayed at CMS for so long and chosen to qualify here. It is very different from the stereotypical perception of a traditional law firm. Rather than being formal or hierarchical, the culture is genuinely collaborative, friendly and approachable, which makes it an enjoyable place to work.
CMS also has a modern and forward-thinking mindset. The firm actively embraces technology and innovation, encouraging colleagues to explore new ways of working and improve efficiency through legal tech and AI tools. To me, this demonstrates a willingness to evolve alongside the wider commercial world, rather than simply relying on traditional practices. It is an environment that feels progressive, adaptable and focused on the future, which is something I value highly.

I thoroughly enjoyed my training contract, including seats that were not initially among my preferred choices. It really demonstrates the importance of approaching each seat with an open mind, as you may discover an area of law or type of work that you had not previously considered. In fact, I am now qualifying into a department that was not one of my top choices when I began my training contract. That experience has reinforced for me the value of embracing every opportunity and making the most of each seat, regardless of your initial expectations.

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