Legal trainee (Referendariat)

During your legal traineeship at CMS, you will work on real-life cases right from the start and gain direct insight into the workings of an international commercial law firm. Every year, we support around 300 legal trainees during their legal or elective placements as they embark on their careers.

Under the guidance of experienced mentors, you will take on responsibility early on, work on specific legal cases and often be in direct contact with clients. You will not only gain professional confidence but also a feel for providing legal advice in the commercial law environment. 

During your legal traineeship, we provide you with targeted support in preparing for the Second State Examination.

As part of our Legal Traineeship Academy, you benefit from a comprehensive range of services that support you in all areas relevant to the exam:

• You can attend in-house Kaiserseminare seminars and receive the accompanying lecture notes for targeted revision and consolidation.
   
• You can obtain exam papers from Kaiserseminare free of charge and have them marked to practise under realistic conditions.
   
• For trainee lawyers sitting their second State Examination in Bavaria, we offer – regardless of the location of your legal traineeship – the specialised exam preparation course “Die Bayerischen 9” by Alpmann Schmidt.
   
• With free access to the Jurafuchs app, you can revise content at your own pace and consolidate your exam-relevant knowledge even when you’re on the move.

You’ll be a good fit for us if, in addition to having achieved at least a satisfactory (vollbefriedegend) grade in your first state examination, you have an interest in economic issues and enjoy working as part of a team.

We particularly value commitment, initiative and strong interpersonal skills – as well as a willingness to take on responsibility early on.

Would you like to give your legal traineeship an international dimension as well as a specialist focus? At our Brussels office, you can complete your elective placement in antitrust law and work directly on international issues.

If you have already completed your legal training placement with us, you also have the opportunity – subject to availability – to plan your elective placement at other international offices of CMS Germany.

Alternatively, you can apply directly to one of CMS’s global offices and thus become part of our international network.

Regardless of which location you choose: you will work in an international environment, gain insights into cross-border mandates and specifically develop your professional and language skills for your future career.
 

Many of our trainee solicitors make a conscious decision to start their careers at CMS after completing their placements. We offer you early insights, targeted support and the opportunity to build a network that will support you in the long term.