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Work experience/ CMS Connect (England & Wales)

Your chance to see how the world of law works and take that vital first step towards a career with us.

About work experience (CMS Connect)

Applications open in 2027

CMS is a founding member of PRIME, an alliance of UK law firms committed to improving access to the legal profession. Our work experience programme, CMS Connect, is designed for school and college students who might think a career in law is out of reach – and prove that isn’t the case.

We’ll show you what’s possible, letting you experience how our legal practice works and the role you could play with us. Then following the one-week programme, offer continued support, in the form of mentoring, application advice and guidance, plus invitations to exclusive virtual and in-person CMS events.

Duration

One-week programme

Locations

Bristol, London

Eligibility

Year 12 students

This programme is run in person, so you must live within commuting distance of your chosen office

What to expect

Your five days of work experience will be packed with opportunities to learn, discover, and meet new people. It is your chance to lay the foundations for a future career in law. Following successful completion of the work experience, you will then enter a sustained programme of support with ongoing mentoring, workshops and events. Here’s what it involves:

Business learning

You'll get to know what makes CMS tick and how our lawyers help all kinds of clients.

Work shadowing

You'll spend time with colleagues across the firm who will show you what life is really like at CMS.

Skills development

You'll take part in workshops and insight sessions designed to enhance skills required for the world of work.

Getting paid

You'll receive £350 on completion of the five-day work experience. In line with the CMS Travel Policy, we will also cover all reasonable travel expenses.

Ongoing opportunities

After the programme, we'll give you ongoing support and you may choose to apply for our solicitor apprenticeship or insight programmes.

What you'll need to apply

We’re looking for people who are motivated, curious and ready to take ownership of their development. Beyond that, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:

Criteria

Essential criteria

  • You are a Year 12 student
  • You attend, and have from age 11, a state-funded, non-fee-paying school/college

You should also meet one or more of the following criteria (the more you meet, the more likely you are to be offered a place on the programme)

  • You grew up in a household where no parent or guardian attended university
  • You are currently in receipt of, or have previously received, free school meals, Pupil Premium, Education Maintenance Allowance and/or 16 to 19 Bursary 
  • You have been, or are currently, in local authority care
  • You are, or have been, a full-time or part-time carer 
  • You came to the UK as a refugee or asylum seeker 
  • You are attending a state school or college with:
    a) below average A-Level point score and/or
    b) low rate of progression to higher education
    (more details here)
  • You grew up in a household where the occupation of the main earner is categorised as a routine or manual occupation (more details here)

Note: young people who meet the local authority care criteria do not need to meet any other criteria.  

Application process

Online application form

Online application form

This is a chance for us to learn more about you, your educational background, work experience and interests, and why you’re interested in a career with CMS. You’ll also be asked to respond to the following (in 200 words each).

Tell us about your proudest achievement. This could be from any aspect of your life (not necessarily an academic achievement). Your response should include:

  • The challenges you overcame to achieve this outcome
  • What you learnt about yourself from the experience

Tell us what motivated you to apply to CMS.  And what you hope to gain from this experience. Your response should include:

  • The aspects of a career in law that interest you the most
  • How the opportunity offered at CMS supports your future aspirations

Any other questions?

Take a look at our FAQs page