Intern Review

I loved the virtual experience as I thought the range of activities I got to take part in were fantastic, especially considering the last minute move online. Much of what was planned for the 3 week in person placement was still included in the week online placement. Some of these activities included meeting with a client, presenting an innovation challenge, and taking part in a business simulation exercise. Everyone who was involved in making the experience happen were so friendly and couldn't offer enough help. The hosts were fantastic - very clear and engaging - and kept the week running smoothly.

Everyone at CMS, along with other members involved in the virtual experience, really took the time to get to know members of the group. Although this was obviously difficult virtually and with a large cohort, each morning questions would be asked to everyone to get everyone engaged and get to know people. We were also invited to share our thoughts throughout the experience either verbally or through the chat box. These were acknowledged by the team for further discussion.

Before the experience, I received email updates on a very regular basis to inform of the change to online, how we could access the meeting, and preparation materials. The team were also great in responding to email queries - they answered all of my questions within a day. During the week, there were people who you could contact if you had any technical issues, which was very reassuring. Each task we had to complete during the week was explained very thoroughly and there was an opportunity to ask questions. Members of the team moved throughout breakout rooms during group work and discussions to give assistance.

I believe the week has increased my understanding of commercial law through the activities I got to participate in, e.g. speaking with clients and the business simulation; and hearing about the workings of the firm. I also got to develop more general skills such as teamwork and confidence, because we were put into different groups for each task and had to discuss ideas. I have also made great connections through the experience which will be helpful for the future.

The week was very well planned out. There were many different activities, which were all scheduled into a timetable. These timeframes were adhered to, so we were able to get through all of the activities planned. There were a few minor technical issues, such as people not being able to access the meeting, but this was expected from such a last minute move online and the amount of people present in the meeting, along with those who worked at the firm and joined/left halfway through. There were also internet connection issues which disrupted some talks, however this could not be helped and was through no fault of CMS.

There was a huge sense of everyone enjoying themselves and participating to their full potential. The atmosphere was friendly and lively. Everyone I spoke to during the week was very engaged in the work but also interested in getting to know you as a person. It was very nice to combine the seriousness of the work with developing connections. At various points throughout the day we had wellbeing breaks to stretch and do mindfulness exercises, which meant that the work didn't get too overwhelming.

The firm included a whole host of activities during the week, working on personal development as well as understanding of commercial law. For example, a speaker came in to talk to us about skill development and we did out own skill analysis to enable us to learn what skills we are good at and ones we aren't so good at so that we could create future goals. We were asked to reflect on every task we did, which enabled me to really understand what I had just learnt.

I was able to understand the nature of the firm and the dynamics of it by speaking to trainees and associates throughout the week, and also by hearing from more senior members about the ethos of the firm. From the activities I got to take part in, I was able to understand how commercial deals work and some of the steps involved in the practice. The activities we did throughout the week were mainly simulation exercises or discussions. I feel I could have understood what it would be like to work with the company more if we were able to attempt or be shown an actual case that would be dealt with.

Senior members of the firm presented various talks throughout the week of a whole host of different aspects of the firm, such as diversity and inclusion. This enabled me to understand the firm's ethos and measures it put in place to create the work environment. We also had the opportunity to speak with trainees and associates on a more informal level. We were able to ask questions about the kind of work they did and the experiences they had had at the firm.

I would love to work with CMS in the future. I think their culture is somewhere that I would really fit in as their values are things that I also value, such as diversity, equality and hard-work. I really enjoyed the tasks I was presented with and would love to get involved with them again in the future. For example, it would be great to experience the business simulation I real life. The information I was provided with about the work available at CMS really interested me, and I would be very interested in working in a variety of sectors they offer.

I was paid £400 for the week. I think this is a very good amount considering that the working hours were from 9-5 with at least a half an hour lunch break plus several other 10 minute breaks throughout the day. There also wasn't very much work to do after the day or in preparation - only creating. group presentation to give on at the end of the week, and reading over information about the company you were assigned for the client meeting.

Every task we were asked to do involved us being put into breakout rooms. Although we were mainly there to discuss the work, there was enough time to introduce yourself to everyone in the room. I was only put with the same person one time, therefore I was able to chat to so many different people. There was also a cocktail networking session one evening, where we were able to freely chat with employees we were assigned in a breakout room with.

There was a cocktail networking session one evening, where we were able to chat and ask questions to an employee that was assigned to out breakout room. I would have liked the opportunity to chat to more employees because I may have came across someone in a specific sector or that had been on secondment somewhere that I was really interested in, so the opportunity to ask further questions and find out more may have arisen. However, I understand that there were time constraints and the cohort was large, therefore organising in the way it was was probably the most sensible way.

We had a whole session about getting to know opportunities that employees can get involved with, such as pro bono work, charity work, sports fixtures, and societies for different interests and religions. We also had the opportunity to ask questions about any of these we were interested in and more information was provided based upon people's requests. It was very nice to see that the firm caters for everyone, and that you can get involved as much as you like.

I would definitely recommend the experience, and in fact already have! If you are wanting to learn more about commercial law and the working of an international commercial law firm, then this will definitely be a valuable experience. In order to be considered for a training contract, you have to have taken part in the Academy, so if you are looking to apply to CMS, make sure you apply to the Academy. You will meet so many amazing people too!