CMS signs up as Lawscot Foundation Gold sponsor

Legal firm CMS UK has signed up to become a Gold sponsor for 2021 of the Lawscot Foundation, the Law Society of Scotland's charity to help support intending law students In Scotland from less advantaged backgrounds.

CMS has committed to donating £5,000 this year, to fund two of the Foundation’s annual bursaries of £2,500. The firm already runs its own grant-providing scholarship, the CMS Law Scholarship.

Recipients of Lawscot Foundation bursaries are also given mentoring support and career advancement opportunities.

CMS senior partner Penelope Warne commented: "Having launched the CMS Law Scholarship in Scotland in 2014 and now supporting at least three students into the profession each year in Scotland through our own scheme, we know very well how crucial it is to support social mobility and diversity into our profession so that it reflects the society we serve. We are delighted to support the Lawscot Foundation this year, in addition to our own scheme, particularly as the challenges of the last year make the need even greater."

Heather McKendrick, of the Lawscot Foundation, responded: "We are thrilled that CMS has chosen to support the Lawscot Foundation this year. It is a worldwide law firm with a great reputation, particularly for its charitable work and we hope this can be the beginning of a great relationship in our agreed goal of tackling social mobility within the legal profession. CMS choosing to support our work and the talented students we fund is a massive boost, particularly at a time when many are struggling due to the economic impact of the pandemic."