Summer student Review

Thoroughly enjoyed my two week summer placement with CMS Cameron McKenna and was sad to leave, as it felt like I was leaving my job rather than a summer placement. The insight really gave me the opportunity to experience the firm which would have been impossible otherwise. I had experienced other firms which had not lived up to my expectations of them but CMS were completely different. The firm was what I expected of them from their graduate brochure and much more. It really was an invaluable experience and I am so glad that I had the opportunity.

Throughout my time spent with CMS, I was always made to feel welcome as everyone is approachable and professional. I managed to secure work from everyone within the department I was assigned to and this really helped me to feel engaged and valued. I made sure that I was not afraid to approach people and everyone appreciated this from partner level down to all the other trainees and couldn't give me enough support.

During my insight I was never short of support or guidance from the colleagues I was working with in my department. I was also supported from all other departments from reception, facilities, mail, graduate recruitment etc. There really is a great environment at CMS and you get out what you put in plus more. If people see that you are friendly and eager to learn, they are extremely accommodating and supportive. A really great team.

I learnt a lot at my time spent with CMS. I really appreciated what it was like to work with a large corporate firm and this really cemented the fact that this was the firm that I wanted to forge a career with. Not all firms are the same and I had the opportunity to experience other large commercial firms, however CMS really lived up to the expectations I had of them and much more, which was not the same elsewhere.

The insight was very well structured. Graduate recruitment are fantastic and had everything organised extremely well. I knew from the outset what to expect and many meetings and events were organised which was a fantastic opportunity to meet different people within the firm, including one of their other offices and a rather nice evening meal with the other trainees and summer students.

The atmosphere was that of a very professional well run organisation. Everyone was busy but was very welcoming and friendly. There was a great sense of team spirit and teamwork within the firm and everyone I met was very helpful and accommodating. The trainees have a great friendly attitude and seem to always be organising a social event which is excellent. Overall I really cant fault anything and thoroughly enjoyed my two weeks!

The company invested in me by allowing me to experience the firm for a two week summer placement and also by ensuring that myself and the other students had a well organised fortnight with various meetings and events which would give us as much insight to the firm as possible.

The placement confirmed to me that CMS was the firm that I wanted to work full time for. I wanted to be certain that if I were to work for a company it had to be the right company, not just any company. CMS allowed me the opportunity to see first hand what working as a trainee would be like and I knew it was the sort of firm that I would want to work for.

The insight helped me to understand the culture by having the opportunity to speak to staff and partners who had been at the firm for a long time and question them on various matters. Having the opportunity to observe a department or departments over a two week period really helps you to see exactly what a company is like and CMS proved itself to be one with a really great culture.

I knew I wanted to be a commercial lawyer and wanted to ensure that I chose the right firm. The experience confirmed to me that I wanted a career with CMS.

I was paid a weekly salary and reimbursed for expenses.

There were lots of networking opportunities from departmental lunches, Friday night drinks, graduate recruitment meals etc. There was never any shortage of opportunities to meet and mingle with people.

The networking activities were great. Provided a great opportunity to meet loads of new people and ask them any questions that I needed.

Yes, lots of activities from overseas inter company football matches to other sporting events. There was no shortage of opportunities!

I have already recommended and will continue to recommend my insight and the CMS Cameron McKenna summer placement to others. If you want a career with a commercial law firm look no further.