Firm Profiles
CMS
CMS
full-service international firm known for energy, projects, and technology
full-service international firm known for energy, projects, and technology
Year 1 Trainee
£50,000
Year 2 Trainee
£55,000
Newly Qualified
£120,000
About the firm
About the firm
TC Number
±95
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
70+
CMS is a leading full-service international law firm with 70+ offices across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The firm is headquartered in London and operates across all major commercial practice areas, with particular strength in energy and natural resources, projects and infrastructure, technology and digital markets, and real estate. CMS typically recruits around 95 trainees per year — one of the largest intakes of any firm in the UK — with training contracts available in London, Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, and Sheffield, as well as international offices in Dubai, Singapore, and Hong Kong
Recruiting around 95 trainees annually, CMS offers a comprehensive four-seat training programme. Alongside core practice areas, innovation seats provide experience in using legal technology. Many trainees benefit from international or client secondments, enhancing practical experience and global understanding.
Practice areas and rankings
Practice areas and rankings
Rankings in Chambers
20
Category
International
CMS has earned strong recognition in the UK and Europe. The firm achieved Band 1 rankings in Chambers UK 2025 for Construction: Contentious, Construction: Professional Negligence, and Real Estate Litigation. Furthermore, the firm was named Europe Law Firm of the Year at the Chambers Europe Awards 2025, with additional wins for CEE Firm of the Year and Poland Firm of the Year.
Top practice areas:
Energy and natural resources
One of the firm's most prominent practices globally, advising on transactions, projects, disputes, and regulatory matters across oil and gas, renewables, nuclear, and energy transition. The energy team works across multiple CMS offices on cross-border mandates.
Projects and infrastructure
A leading projects practice advising on PPP, PFI, and major infrastructure projects across the UK and internationally. Works closely with the energy team on energy infrastructure mandates.
Real estate
A large and well-regarded real estate practice covering transactions, development, planning, and real estate finance. One of the most active practice areas for trainees.
Technology, data, and digital markets
A growing practice reflecting CMS's explicit "future-facing" positioning. Covers data protection, digital regulation, technology transactions, and AI governance — areas of increasing client demand.
Corporate and M&A
A solid corporate practice advising on domestic and cross-border M&A across CMS's global network of offices.
The application process
Written application
The online application form asks about academic history, work experience, and motivation. CMS reviews applications holistically therefore prior legal work experience is not required and all experience demonstrating transferable skills is valued. Mitigating circumstances are taken into account. Non-law graduates and career changers are explicitly welcomed, with CMS typically recruiting roughly half of each intake from non-law backgrounds.
Psychometric Testing
CMS uses the Watson Glaser critical thinking test as part of its screening process. Candidates are invited to complete the test after submitting the application form.
Interview Stage
Next is a 15-minute pre-recorded video interview,.You'll respond to several questions, covering your motivation for applying to CMS, commercial awareness, and key competencies like time management and problem-solving.
Assessment Centre
The assessment day is the route to securing a training contract with CMS. The assessment day includes three key exercises:
Case Study: 40 minutes to read and write, then present to an associate.
Interview: Covering commercial awareness, motivation, and competencies; expect questions such as why you want to work at CMS and which practice areas interest you.
Group Exercise: In groups of 3–4, you’ll have 15 minutes to review and prepare, then a 30-minute session to present and discuss your findings.
Throughout the Assessment Day, CMS looks for clear communication, commercial insight, teamwork, and effective time management under pressure.
The application process
Written application
The online application form asks about academic history, work experience, and motivation. CMS reviews applications holistically therefore prior legal work experience is not required and all experience demonstrating transferable skills is valued. Mitigating circumstances are taken into account. Non-law graduates and career changers are explicitly welcomed, with CMS typically recruiting roughly half of each intake from non-law backgrounds.
Psychometric Testing
CMS uses the Watson Glaser critical thinking test as part of its screening process. Candidates are invited to complete the test after submitting the application form.
Interview Stage
Next is a 15-minute pre-recorded video interview,.You'll respond to several questions, covering your motivation for applying to CMS, commercial awareness, and key competencies like time management and problem-solving.
Assessment Centre
The assessment day is the route to securing a training contract with CMS. The assessment day includes three key exercises:
Case Study: 40 minutes to read and write, then present to an associate.
Interview: Covering commercial awareness, motivation, and competencies; expect questions such as why you want to work at CMS and which practice areas interest you.
Group Exercise: In groups of 3–4, you’ll have 15 minutes to review and prepare, then a 30-minute session to present and discuss your findings.
Throughout the Assessment Day, CMS looks for clear communication, commercial insight, teamwork, and effective time management under pressure.
Firm history
Firm History
Ready to Apply?
Ready to apply?
The Future Trainee Academy covers the full application, including written applications, online assessments, interviews, and assessment centres.
For situational judgment and reasoning practice, the Watson Glaser Practice Hub gives you unlimited free timed tests with worked explanations.
Firm Profiles
CMS
full-service international firm known for energy, projects, and technology
Year 1
Trainee
£50,000
Year 2
Trainee
£55,000
Newly
Qualified
£120,000
Practice areas and rankings
Rankings in Chambers
20
Category
International
CMS has earned strong recognition in the UK and Europe. The firm achieved Band 1 rankings in Chambers UK 2025 for Construction: Contentious, Construction: Professional Negligence, and Real Estate Litigation. Furthermore, the firm was named Europe Law Firm of the Year at the Chambers Europe Awards 2025, with additional wins for CEE Firm of the Year and Poland Firm of the Year.
Top practice areas:
Energy and natural resources
One of the firm's most prominent practices globally, advising on transactions, projects, disputes, and regulatory matters across oil and gas, renewables, nuclear, and energy transition. The energy team works across multiple CMS offices on cross-border mandates.
Projects and infrastructure
A leading projects practice advising on PPP, PFI, and major infrastructure projects across the UK and internationally. Works closely with the energy team on energy infrastructure mandates.
Real estate
A large and well-regarded real estate practice covering transactions, development, planning, and real estate finance. One of the most active practice areas for trainees.
Technology, data, and digital markets
A growing practice reflecting CMS's explicit "future-facing" positioning. Covers data protection, digital regulation, technology transactions, and AI governance — areas of increasing client demand.
Corporate and M&A
A solid corporate practice advising on domestic and cross-border M&A across CMS's global network of offices.
About the firm
TC Number
±95
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
70+
CMS is a leading full-service international law firm with 70+ offices across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The firm is headquartered in London and operates across all major commercial practice areas, with particular strength in energy and natural resources, projects and infrastructure, technology and digital markets, and real estate. CMS typically recruits around 95 trainees per year — one of the largest intakes of any firm in the UK — with training contracts available in London, Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, and Sheffield, as well as international offices in Dubai, Singapore, and Hong Kong
Recruiting around 95 trainees annually, CMS offers a comprehensive four-seat training programme. Alongside core practice areas, innovation seats provide experience in using legal technology. Many trainees benefit from international or client secondments, enhancing practical experience and global understanding.
The application process
Vacation Scheme Deadline
TBD
N/A
A-Levels Reqs.
Degree Reqs.
2:1
Written application
The online application form asks about academic history, work experience, and motivation. CMS reviews applications holistically therefore prior legal work experience is not required and all experience demonstrating transferable skills is valued. Mitigating circumstances are taken into account. Non-law graduates and career changers are explicitly welcomed, with CMS typically recruiting roughly half of each intake from non-law backgrounds.
Psychometric Testing
CMS uses the Watson Glaser critical thinking test as part of its screening process. Candidates are invited to complete the test after submitting the application form.
Interview Stage
Next is a 15-minute pre-recorded video interview,.You'll respond to several questions, covering your motivation for applying to CMS, commercial awareness, and key competencies like time management and problem-solving.
Assessment Centre
The assessment day is the route to securing a training contract with CMS. The assessment day includes three key exercises:
Case Study: 40 minutes to read and write, then present to an associate.
Interview: Covering commercial awareness, motivation, and competencies; expect questions such as why you want to work at CMS and which practice areas interest you.
Group Exercise: In groups of 3–4, you’ll have 15 minutes to review and prepare, then a 30-minute session to present and discuss your findings.
Throughout the Assessment Day, CMS looks for clear communication, commercial insight, teamwork, and effective time management under pressure.
Firm History
Ready to apply?
The Future Trainee Academy covers the full application, including written applications, online assessments, interviews, and assessment centres.
For situational judgment and reasoning practice, the Watson Glaser Practice Hub gives you unlimited free timed tests with worked explanations.