Case studies: Trainee solicitor at CMS Cameron McKenna: Hannah Wyke

Hannah Wyke did her GDL at Bristol Law School before becoming a trainee at CMS Cameron McKenna in Bristol.

I chose law because I wanted a career with plenty of variety where I could be continually challenged in a commercial environment.

The training offered at CMS Cameron McKenna really is of the highest quality and the firm believes in giving its trainees plenty of responsibility. That, coupled with the guaranteed opportunity to do a seat out of your office (whether that be abroad, a client secondment or one of the other UK offices), made it an easy choice.

After my GDL, I decided not to go straight on to do the LPC as I wanted to gain some work experience. After three years of working and gaining valuable commercial experience, I started to make my training contract applications. I secured my training contract with the firm the year before starting the LPC.

I wanted to be based in Bristol and I felt extremely fortunate to be able to apply to such a good and well-respected City firm, yet to remain in the location I wanted; it really was an obvious choice.

I am currently in the insurance litigation department and my first seat was in real estate. I have experienced an incredible variety of work so far; from drafting and negotiating leases to preparing instructions for counsel on a number of different cases. I have been given a great deal of responsibility and have been tasked with running my own files. Probably the most enjoyable thing so far was being asked to attend a hearing at the High Court on a case involving a very high-profile claimant.

CMS offers many opportunities for development, both during the training contract and post-qualification. I am looking forward to doing a seat in the London office which will be a great experience and will enable me to gain a broader understanding of the firm as a whole, whilst developing important internal relationships.