CMS Application Question

Hanna Mirza

New Member
Sep 18, 2020
2
1
Hi there,

I would greatly appreciate if someone could clarify what the focus of this question is:

Focusing on one or more of CMS’s sectors, what challenges and opportunities for growth do you see presenting themselves over the coming 12-24 months? (200 words)


Do I need to discuss the challenges and opportunities that CMS will face or do I need to discuss what the sector and CMS' clients will face? Or do I need to discuss all three? Given the limited word count, I want to be as precise as I can in answering this question.

Many thanks.
 

Alice G

Legendary Member
Future Trainee
Forum Team
M&A Bootcamp
Nov 26, 2018
1,731
4,183
Hi there,

I would greatly appreciate if someone could clarify what the focus of this question is:

Focusing on one or more of CMS’s sectors, what challenges and opportunities for growth do you see presenting themselves over the coming 12-24 months? (200 words)

Do I need to discuss the challenges and opportunities that CMS will face or do I need to discuss what the sector and CMS' clients will face? Or do I need to discuss all three? Given the limited word count, I want to be as precise as I can in answering this question.

Many thanks.
The focus is on a sector/s which is/are a focus for the firm. So I would probably, with 200 words, do one sector which is core to CMS and discuss the challenges and opportunities for that sector. Be as analytical as you can - this is a great question to show your commercial and business acumen
 
Reactions: GOI983 and Jessica Booker

Nij17

New Member
Oct 27, 2018
2
0
The focus is on a sector/s which is/are a focus for the firm. So I would probably, with 200 words, do one sector which is core to CMS and discuss the challenges and opportunities for that sector. Be as analytical as you can - this is a great question to show your commercial and business acumen

Hi Alice,

That is really helpful! Could you please advise the best way to approach this question on CMS's application:

What does exceptional client service look like from a future facing lawyer? (200 words)

Do i need to list the skills a future facing lawyer should have to deliver exceptional client service? Would you talk about CMS in this question and what they are doing to deliver exceptional client service? Would really appreciate any help and advise on how to structure this if possible.

Thank you!
 

Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
13,342
19,158
It won’t necessarily just be a lawyers’ skills - it might be their attitude/approaches and other things like use of technology. I wouldn’t just list them either though - it will need to be a well structured and written answer rather than just a list of things.

you don’t have to explain what CMS are doing now - this question is about an individual lawyer rather than a firm as a whole. But when thinking about how you may frame your answer, you may want to think about what CMS values in their current future facing lawyers and how that particularly applies to client service.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: BFK

Nij17

New Member
Oct 27, 2018
2
0
It won’t necessarily just be a lawyers’ skills - it might be their attitude/approaches and other things like use of technology. I wouldn’t just list them either though - it will need to be a well structured and written answer rather than just a list of things.

you don’t have to explain what CMS are doing now - this question is about an individual lawyer rather than a firm as a whole. But when thinking about how you may frame your answer, you may want to think about what CMS values in their current future facing lawyers and how that particularly applies to client service.

Thanks Jessica! initially i was thinking to save 60 or so words to talk about CMS and their initiatives to link it back to the firm and make my application more tailored but your advise helps clear that up. Instead of highlighting their initiatives, I will focus on the values they instill and explain their significance to client service as suggested!
 

Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
13,342
19,158
Thanks Jessica! initially i was thinking to save 60 or so words to talk about CMS and their initiatives to link it back to the firm and make my application more tailored but your advise helps clear that up. Instead of highlighting their initiatives, I will focus on the values they instill and explain their significance to client service as suggested!

The danger with these questions is that candidates just regurgitate the firm’s own words around the subject matter. It’s important for you to put your mark/opinion on this answer - if you have any views/opinions on what the answer should be, put them forward.
 

Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
13,342
19,158
Should we say how we have displayed this? For example, being open to new technology I...

you don’t have to do this - the question isn’t asking for you to do this.

Some candidates do include it, but you have to be super careful that it doesn’t distract from actually answering the question and I think it needs to be super concise if you do it.
 

CamilleL

Active Member
Junior Lawyer
Jul 27, 2020
11
12
Hi everyone!

I am currently working on the application and I am struggling with this question: "How would you describe the relationship between law and business?"

Should we focus on commercial law or law in general? Plus, I always go back to client service when thinking about it and repeat some things I already mentioned in the question regarding the "future-facing lawyer".

I would very much appreciate if you could tell me what would be the best approach for this question.

Many thanks!
 

Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
13,342
19,158
Hi everyone!

I am currently working on the application and I am struggling with this question: "How would you describe the relationship between law and business?"

Should we focus on commercial law or law in general? Plus, I always go back to client service when thinking about it and repeat some things I already mentioned in the question regarding the "future-facing lawyer".

I would very much appreciate if you could tell me what would be the best approach for this question.

Many thanks!

to me these are very different questions, asking for very different content. I wouldn’t expect there to be much (if any) cross over between these two questions.

One is asking how business and law work together basically (and why they do). And the other is asking to focus on what skills a lawyer should have in the future to be the best lawyer they can be.
 
Reactions: James Kitching

BFK

Standard Member
Feb 25, 2021
7
0
It won’t necessarily just be a lawyers’ skills - it might be their attitude/approaches and other things like use of technology. I wouldn’t just list them either though - it will need to be a well structured and written answer rather than just a list of things.

you don’t have to explain what CMS are doing now - this question is about an individual lawyer rather than a firm as a whole. But when thinking about how you may frame your answer, you may want to think about what CMS values in their current future facing lawyers and how that particularly applies to client service.
I’m thinking of mentioning these points:
-The capabilities of future facing lawyers to be able to offer exceptional client service
-how a future facing lawyer will be a practice area specialists to offer exceptional client service
-how a future facing lawyer does more with clients like supporting initiatives which matter to them to solidify a relationship

which points are most relevant to the question?
 

Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
13,342
19,158
I’m thinking of mentioning these points:
-The capabilities of future facing lawyers to be able to offer exceptional client service
-how a future facing lawyer will be a practice area specialists to offer exceptional client service
-how a future facing lawyer does more with clients like supporting initiatives which matter to them to solidify a relationship

which points are most relevant to the question?
  1. You'll need to be specific about the capabilities are and why they are particularly important for a future facing lawyer (rather than just a lawyer now).
  2. I don't know enough about how relevant this is to the firm in question, but I'd think about the dynamics of how you'd then have to work with other colleagues as likely a client isn't going to come to you with only specialist matters
  3. Again, the more specific you can be here, the better.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BFK

aaizaazar

New Member
Oct 30, 2021
2
0
The focus is on a sector/s which is/are a focus for the firm. So I would probably, with 200 words, do one sector which is core to CMS and discuss the challenges and opportunities for that sector. Be as analytical as you can - this is a great question to show your commercial and business acumen
Focusing on one of CMS’s sectors, what opportunities have arisen in the ‘new ways of working’ and current business climate?
What does this question actually mean? I am slightly confused on what to base the 200 word answer on for this question
 

AvniD

Legendary Member
Future Trainee
Gold Member
Premium Member
Oct 25, 2021
1,127
2,095
Focusing on one of CMS’s sectors, what opportunities have arisen in the ‘new ways of working’ and current business climate?
What does this question actually mean? I am slightly confused on what to base the 200 word answer on for this question
I think this question is asking you to analyse changes that have occurred in the past 1-2 years, potentially as a response to the pandemic. Consider the impact of things like working from home, using technology creatively, and the ways in which deals have occurred recently in the sector you analyse in your answer. Remember to also focus on the opportunities that have come out of these changes and what it has meant for the firm. Tagging @Jessica Booker for her thoughts as well!
 

Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
13,342
19,158
I think this question is asking you to analyse changes that have occurred in the past 1-2 years, potentially as a response to the pandemic. Consider the impact of things like working from home, using technology creatively, and the ways in which deals have occurred recently in the sector you analyse in your answer. Remember to also focus on the opportunities that have come out of these changes and what it has meant for the firm. Tagging @Jessica Booker for her thoughts as well!
Completely agree - just make sure your answer is focused on one of CMS’s sectors - you can find them here: https://cms.law/en/cze/cms-job-opportunities/working-for-cms/experienced-lawyers/sector-groups
 
  • Like
Reactions: AvniD

About Us

The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

Newsletter

Discover the most relevant business news, access our law firm analysis, and receive our best advice for aspiring lawyers.