Firm Profiles
CMS
CMS
An International Law Firm
An International Law Firm
Year 1 Trainee
£50,000
Year 2 Trainee
£55,000
Newly Qualified
£120,000
CMS is a major global law firm with over 6,800 lawyers across 70+ offices. In London, trainees undertake four six-month seats that span hands-on commercial work, litigation, real estate transactions, and unique innovation-focused seats involving legal tech. Trainees get broad exposure through cross-border deals and cutting-edge projects in sectors like infrastructure, media, and technology.
TC Number
95
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
70+
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.
Rankings in Chambers
19
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.
The Application Process
Vacation Scheme Deadline
TBD
A-Levels Requirements
N/A
Degree Requirements
Degree Requirements
2:1
Application Writing
CMS begins with an online application form, where you provide personal details, academic history, work experience, and responses to competency-based, motivational, and commercial-awareness questions. Concise, well-researched, and clearly written answers are crucial.
Assessment Centre
The assessment day includes three key exercises:
Case Study: 40 minutes to read and write, then present for 5 minutes to an associate.
Partner 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.
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.
Application Writing
Psychometric Testing
CMS begins with an online application form, where you provide personal details, academic history, work experience, and responses to competency-based, motivational, and commercial-awareness questions. Concise, well-researched, and clearly written answers are crucial.
After submission, candidates take a Critical Thinking Test designed to assess analytical reasoning, logical deduction, inference, and argument evaluation. The test includes several sections with varying formats, such as passages followed by multiple-choice questions. In many cases, you're required to explain your reasoning, so clarity and precision are essential. Practise under timed conditions to build confidence
Psychometric Testing
After submission, candidates take a Critical Thinking Test designed to assess analytical reasoning, logical deduction, inference, and argument evaluation. The test includes several sections with varying formats, such as passages followed by multiple-choice questions. In many cases, you're required to explain your reasoning, so clarity and precision are essential. Practise under timed conditions to build confidence
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 includes three key exercises:
Case Study: 40 minutes to read and write, then present for 5 minutes to an associate.
Partner 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 Profiles
CMS
An International Law Firm
Year 1
Trainee
£50,000
Year 2
Trainee
£55,000
Newly
Qualified
£120,000
CMS is a major global law firm with over 6,800 lawyers across 70+ offices. In London, trainees undertake four six-month seats that span hands-on commercial work, litigation, real estate transactions, and unique innovation-focused seats involving legal tech. Trainees get broad exposure through cross-border deals and cutting-edge projects in sectors like infrastructure, media, and technology.
TC Number
95
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
70+
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.
Rankings in Chambers
19
Awards
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.
The Vacation Scheme Application Process
Application Writing
CMS begins with an online application form, where you provide personal details, academic history, work experience, and responses to competency-based, motivational, and commercial-awareness questions. Concise, well-researched, and clearly written answers are crucial.
Psychometric Testing
After submission, candidates take a Critical Thinking Test designed to assess analytical reasoning, logical deduction, inference, and argument evaluation. The test includes several sections with varying formats, such as passages followed by multiple-choice questions. In many cases, you're required to explain your reasoning, so clarity and precision are essential. Practise under timed conditions to build confidence
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 includes three key exercises:
Case Study: 40 minutes to read and write, then present for 5 minutes to an associate.
Partner 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.
Vacation Scheme Deadline
TBD
N/A
A-Levels Requirements
Degree Requirements
2:1