Vacation Scheme Student - Banking Litigation Review

I enjoyed the vacation scheme at CMS an incredible amount. A lot of fit into two weeks, and it's a perfect balance of being able to obtain work experience while developing your own skills and socialising with members of the firm.

I always felt like part of the team from the start. Although it was a very small team, everyone was inclusive and extremely welcoming. At the end of the two weeks I truly feel like part of the team already.

Guidance and support was always available. Whether from my supervisor, buddy, partners or the lawyers I was sitting with. Care is also taken to ensure you receive a comprehensive view of the firm and workshops are run that are aimed at developing a number of skills.

A lot of the skills learned during my two weeks were skills that could not be taught and could only be learned through practice and experience at the firm. Amongst these skills and professional abilities are how to interact with clients, the expectations of a great trainee, commercial awareness and others.

Very well structured from the start. A programme was given to us which detailed the two weeks and it was followed very strictly.

Like the general atmosphere of CMS in general, the atmosphere was welcoming, friendly, but at the same time challenging. It was the perfect balance between work, support and socialisation.

Partners were brought in at no small cost to deliver presentations and listen to our presentations for example. There was heavy emphasis on training and development albeit in a short two week period.

The insight helped me develop quite a comprehensive view of what a full time role with the company would look like. Although much of it was your own ability to ask questions and develop that level of understanding yourself, the employees at the firm were open and more than willing to discuss what their roles and experiences were at the firm.

It helped me confirm what I already knew - which is that CMS is a company which prides itself in having a true down-to-earth and friendly culture. One which is always supportive and professional.

Very valuable, it showed me from an inside perspective how enjoyable it would be to work in the firm in the future.

I was paid a sufficient amount for the two week scheme.

There were always opportunities to network regularly whether within the firm or after work at regularly scheduled socials. The firm has an emphasis on networking and ensuring that you meet as many people as possible and foster those relationships in a short amount of time.

Great. There were many employees that came out for the events from trainee level to partners which gave an informal way of meeting and discussing anything of interest with them.

Yes, there is a heavy emphasis on sports activities and fundraising through CMS' CSR programs.

Absolutely.