The Legal 500

Within Commercial contracts, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a third tier firm,

The 16-partner team at CMS Cameron McKenna LLP ‘represents good value for money, and delivers a high-quality, professional but personal service’. The firm’s pan-European capability was a contributory factor in securing panel appointments with global client BP as well as MetLife. Financial services, energy and privatised UK services clients are key to the practice, with Royal Mail Group recently instructing the team on a complex ten-year facilities management outsourcing agreement. Practice head John Armstrong acts for clients including Lloyds Banking Group and the National Grid. Ian Stevens is ‘focused and approachable’; Emma Burnett has ITO and data protection expertise; and David Marks is active in the life sciences and infrastructure space, recently acting for Transport for London.

Within Corporate tax, tier 4

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is appreciated for its client service and strength in areas such as structured finance and cross-border transactional matters. Richard Croker specialises in real estate and fund structuring. In a high-profile move, highly regarded head of tax Mark Nichols left for niche City tax firm NGM Tax Law LLP.

Within Equity capital markets: UK capability, tier 6

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP’s highly rated Gary Green is ‘calm and pragmatic, and works hard to get the job done’. He advised Hunting plc on placing £85m of new shares. Charles Currier’s clients include National Grid and Pendragon.

Within EU and competition, tier 5

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP gives ‘timely and appropriate’ advice. The team has particular strength in behavioural work, and sector expertise in life sciences, consumer products, energy, upstream oil and gas and electricity, and infrastructure. It acted for Takeda on EUMR and multi-jurisdictional merger control of its €9.6bn acquisition of Swiss-based pharma company Nycomed. Susan Hankey and David Marks are recommended, and Caroline Hobson was promoted to partner in May.

Within Financial services, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a second tier firm,

At CMS Cameron McKenna LLP, Paul Edmondson advises financial institutions on regulatory issues; and Simon Morris has assisted firms in over 300 enforcement proceedings brought by the FSA, its predecessors and overseas regulators, on issues including market abuse; fraud; the appointment of a skilled person; and retail mis-selling.

Within Flotations: small and mid-cap, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a second tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP’s ‘well-respected’ capital markets team includes US counsel Daniel Winterfeldt and ECM group head Gary Green. It acted on an £85m placing of shares in energy services company Hunting plc, and the transfer of Antisoma to AIM from the Official List.

Within M&A: mid-market, £50m-£250m Leading individuals: M&A

Within M&A: premium deals, £250m+, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a third tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is noted for the ‘exemplary service levels’ consistently provided by its 30-partner team, particularly in its core energy, infrastructure, life sciences and hotel and leisure sectors, where it fields ‘true experts who always meet deadlines’. Pharmaceuticals deals were a particular success story, with 2011 seeing the team advise Takeda Pharmaceutical Company on its €9.6bn acquisition of Switzerland’s Nycomed A/S, which was also notable as the largest private equity transaction since 2007. Other highlights included advising Royal Mail on its sale of a stake in Romec Services to joint venture partner Balfour Beatty Workplace, and representing longstanding client Hunting in its $775m acquisition of TSI Acquisition Holdings. Clients highlight the ‘exceptional corporate knowledge and negotiation skills’ of Louise Wallace; the ‘truly excellent’ Richard Bull, who is ‘one of the most capable PE lawyers in the market’; the ‘very self-assured and experienced’ Sean Watson; and corporate head Andrew Sheach.

Within M&A: smaller deals, up to £50m Leading individuals: M&A

Within Private equity: transactions, tier 5

Noted for its ‘ability to handle work which reflects the latest market practice’, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP handles a mix of mid-market mandates, both domestic and cross-border. The ‘very commercial’ James Grimwood ‘understands market trends’, and regularly handles work for LDC, recently advising it on the acquisition of Workplace Systems International. The ‘pragmatic and knowledgeable’ Louise Wallace is also recommended, in particular for transactions in the consumer products and hotels sectors.

Within VAT and indirect tax, tier 4

Peter Mason is recommended at CMS Cameron McKenna LLP.

Within Venture capital, tier 6

At CMS Cameron McKenna LLP, David Bresnick regularly handles work for clients such as Octopus Capital and Core Capital.

Within Fraud: civil, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a second tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP provides an ‘outstanding service and spot-on advice’. It acted for Allied Irish Banks in a major banking fraud case, involving the recovery of a substantial sum of money borrowed by an individual with a previous conviction for fraud and forgery. Tim Hardy is ‘very intelligent’, and team head Liam O’Connell is especially recommended for his insurance fraud work.

Within Fraud: corporate crime, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a third tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP’s team members ‘really know their stuff’, with head of anti-corruption Omar Qureshi praised for his ‘incredible attention to detail’.

Within Fraud: white-collar crime Leading individuals: Fraud

Within Banking litigation: investment and retail, tier 4

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is ‘excellent at client service, very good at appreciating the bank’s perspective, and not afraid to communicate difficult issues clearly and directly’. Duncan Aldred ‘has extraordinary breadth of knowledge, and is very reassuring in a crisis’. The firm is acting for the liquidators in a complex international dispute over the right to administer the $8bn assets of the collapsed Stanford International Bank.

Within Commercial litigation, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a third tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP’s practice is highly rated by peers. Tim Hardy is litigation head, and deals primarily with disputes concerning finance, commerce, professional negligence, and product and corporate reputations. Hardy’s experience includes advising a UK services organisation in relation to the collapse of a joint venture of three European corporations. Guy Pendell is also recommended.

Within International arbitration, tier 4

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP stands out for its international energy, construction, projects and infrastructure work, and its CEE network. The practice acted in relation to a claim for payment under a clawback agreement. Guy Pendell is department head; Rupert Choat heads international construction and infrastructure arbitration; Tim Hardy is gaining a name in investment treaty arbitrations; and Ben Holland leads on energy arbitrations. Omar Qureshi is a ‘fine arbitration lawyer’.

Within Acquisition finance, tier 5

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP has strong ties with the major retail banks, leading to a regular flow of mid-market transactions. Recent highlights for the ten-partner team include advising a syndicate including Lloyds on the financing of CVC’s acquisition of a controlling stake in the Virgin Active Group. On the sponsor side, LDC is a major source of work. Team head Will Meredith and Alex Patience are recommended.

Within Asset finance and leasing, tier 7

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP handles asset finance transactions as part of its infrastructure and projects practice.

Within Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a third tier firm,

Advising both banks and borrowers, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP focuses on debt finance and high-profile financial restructurings, and has leveraged and property financing expertise. The team acted for the arrangers of a six-bank syndicate in connection with the £230m financing of leading defence industry manufacturing group Chemring. Deutsche Bank AG and Lloyds Banking Group are among its other key clients. The team includes practice head William Meredith, and Alex Patience, who is able to find ‘commercial and innovative solutions to difficult issues’.

Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a third tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP’s seven-partner team provides a ‘professional and commercial’ service to an impressive roster of banks that includes Lloyds, RBS and Deutsche Bank, and is particularly noted for its ‘excellent work in the real estate and hotel and leisure sectors’. The ‘hardworking and commercial’ Martin Brown advised Bank of Scotland and KPMG on the sale of a portfolio of high-end hotels. Rita Lowe is a ‘great transactional lawyer’, and Peter Wiltshire has ‘tremendous knowledge of restructuring and insolvency procedures’.

Within Debt capital markets, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a third tier firm,

Jason Harding’s team at CMS Cameron McKenna LLP includes the vastly experienced Will Dibble and US securities expert Daniel Winterfeldt. Harding and Winterfeldt recently worked on a €500m bond issue for MFB Hungarian Development Bank.

Within Derivatives and structured products, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a third tier firm,

Structured finance is a real growth area for CMS Cameron McKenna LLP, which hired the ‘technically strong’ Mike Munro and James Parker, who has ‘detailed knowledge and a good grasp of actuarial as well as legal concepts’; both joined from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP. The ‘very analytical’ Will Dibble is noted for ‘excellent work at a reasonable price’, and Jason Harding is also very highly rated. The team provides a ‘good-quality service, thorough understanding of specialist areas and real dedication’, and counts leading investment banks and insurers as clients.

Within Emerging markets, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a third tier firm,

Alex Doughty is at the helm of CMS Cameron McKenna LLP’s emerging markets banking and finance practice, which has a strong CEE slant. He recently advised on the €110m financing of a Croatian hotel and leisure operator, and acted for Grupa LOTOS on the financing of a $2.85bn upgrade of an oil refinery in Poland. Daniel Winterfeldt heads the international capital markets practice, and acts for European and Asian investment banks and corporate issuers in a broad range of securities transactions.

Within Investment funds, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a third tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP has particular expertise in infrastructure and real estate funds, and practice head Melville Rodrigues has been heavily involved in pioneering PAIFs. The team advised HSBC Infrastructure and InfraRed Capital Partners on secondary transactions. Christopher Southorn is also recommended.

Within Securitisation, tier 4

The ‘utterly professional’ team at CMS Cameron McKenna LLP includes the ‘always responsive and very knowledgeable’ Jason Harding, who is ‘commercial and appreciative of client perspectives’. He and the newly promoted Michael Cavers, who has ‘fantastic attention to detail’, advised Enterprise Inns on the Unique deal, and Northumbrian Water on the securitisation of the water resources operating agreement for the Kielder reservoir.

Within Employee share schemes, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a third tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP gives a ‘very good, all-round service’. It acted for Heath Lambert on the share schemes aspects of its takeover by Arthur J Gallagher, and for Savills on the establishment of a new performance share plan and approved company share option plan. Nicholas Stretch is ‘influential’ and ‘very visible in the market’; and Isabel Pooley is ‘very responsive and helpful, clearly knows her stuff, and is unfazed by difficulties’.

Within Employment: employers and senior executives, tier 4

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP provides expeditious cross-border advice on large-scale projects such as global restructurings and collective redundancies. Domestically, it advised General Electric in relation to benefit changes to 18,000 employees, including threatened industrial action; the work was led by Sarah Ozanne, who affords a ‘great level of support’. Department head Anthony Fincham and senior associate Ian Watson are ‘both good at discussing complex legal matters simply’.

Within Health and safety, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a second tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP has a longstanding reputation in the area, and is particularly recognised for its ‘in-depth knowledge of the oil and gas industry’. 2011 saw the firm bring a three-year case for energy company Maersk to conclusion; it successfully defended the company in relation to an incident involving an offshore gas release, and the ensuing prosecution. It also assisted with several personal injury claims arising from the incident. Jan Burgess is ‘ thorough’, ‘ hardworking’, and ‘clearly a leader in her field’.

Within Overview,

In other disciplines, pensions issues have rarely been out of the media, with proposed changes to public sector pensions causing widespread industrial action. Legal work continued to focus on risk management of underfunded schemes, with a notable trend in risk dispersal to insurance companies via buyouts, buy-ins and longevity swaps. Sacker & Partners LLP stands out as a specialist pensions powerhouse, and CMS Cameron McKenna LLP, Hogan Lovells International LLP, and Linklaters LLP also retain a tight grip on their pole position for both contentious and non-contentious pension matters.

Within Pensions, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a first tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is recommended for its ‘seamless fusion of technical pensions expertise and litigation know-how’. The firm advised on the pre-pack insolvency of the Silentnight Group, and oversaw the merger of six schemes into a new scheme set up by Honeywell. New client wins included Barclays and Sainsbury’s. The firm also acted in the Stena Line v MNRPF Trustees case and the Pilots litigation. Pensions group head Nigel Moore is recommended for ‘his ability to clearly and succinctly articulate the law, and formulate and execute strategy rapidly’. Mark Atkinson is ‘one of the best technical pensions lawyers around’. Mark Grant is ‘unrivalled in any matter involving black-letter pensions legal knowledge, and litigation strategy’. Neil Smith ‘always has his eye on the big picture, is a tough negotiator, and is terrific at making the right calls at the right time’. In 2011, the firm hired James Parker and Mike Munro from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP, to set up a new life, pensions and longevity risk group. Keith Webster and Rebecca Smith left the firm, to join Osborne Clarke and RPC respectively.

Within Insurance and reinsurance litigation, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a second tier firm,

At CMS Cameron McKenna LLP, head of department Liam O’Connell ‘has extensive knowledge of the area and is a “go-to” man’. The team provides a seamless national and international service, and is particularly strong on European matters. Timothy Ingham is ‘inquisitive and proactive’, and recently acted for Brussels Airport and its insurer following a catastrophic fire. Stephen Netherway is acting for Cooper Gay and its insurer in the well-publicised claim brought by Société Générale. Martin Fox is noted for his ‘clarity of thought’, and Kirsty Hick ‘always goes the extra mile, and is a pleasure to deal with’.

Within Insurance: corporate and regulatory, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a second tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is advising Met Life Inc on its reorganisation, a substantial and complex matter involving Part VII transfers and covering 15 jurisdictions. The team is well regarded for its strength in regulatory work, and Mike Munro and James Parker recently advised SCOR Global Life in relation to reinsurance capacity in support of the £2.2bn longevity swamp between Deutsche Bank and Rolls-Royce Pension scheme. Paul Edmondson heads the team, and Chris Southorn is also recommended. New clients include Aviva, Allianz and Munich Re Life.

Within Professional negligence, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a first tier firm,

A ‘serious player’ in the market, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is ‘truly first class’ for professional negligence matters. Led by the ‘outstanding’ Liam O’Connell, the 18-partner team advises leading insurers in relation to claims involving accountants, surveyors, construction professionals, solicitors and brokers. The ‘first-rate’ team also includes the ‘hardworking’ Stephen Netherway; the ‘knowledgeable’ Belinda Schofield; Martin Fox, who is ‘truly brilliant’; the ‘excellent’ Peter Maguire; and Timothy Ingham, who is ‘pragmatic’. Kirsty Hick and Alex Denslow are also recommended. Simon Garrett, Monica Lesny and Bristol-based Cheryl Gibson were recently promoted to the partnership.

Within Infrastructure, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a third tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP has a strong UK energy infrastructure focus, and is currently advising National Grid Offshore Ltd on its bid for OFTO transmissions assets, the lines linking offshore wind farms to the main grid system. In Canada, the firm advised Laing O’Rourke and Innisfree as projects investors in the Centre Hospitalier de L’Université de Montréal. Jason Davies and Jonathan Dames are recommended.

Within Oil and gas, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a second tier firm,

Acting across the gamut of the sector, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP remains best known for its North Sea capability. Highly respected practice head Penelope Warne acted for BP on the disposal of its interests in the Wytch Farm oil field, and several others, to Perenco UK. On the regulatory side, Warne advised industry group Oil and Gas UK on several matters, including the availability of tax relief for decommissioning. Bob Palmer, who is noted for his corporate work, is advising new entrants into the Iraqi oil and gas market. Aberdeen-based Stephen Millar is a ‘go-to guy’.

Within PFI and PPP, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a first tier firm,

With clients evenly split between sponsors and lenders on the project finance side, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP’s ‘very pragmatic’ group also handled some significant regulatory work, advising the Department for Transport on the new regulatory framework for the sale of High Speed 1 to the private sector. In a dynamic year, the firm also advised on several high-profile domestic and international PPPs as well as maintaining a significant presence in the PFI market. Sandra Rafferty is ‘driven and commercial’; Jonathan Beckitt is ‘very well respected’; and group head Jason Davies also attracts praise from clients.

Within Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables), CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a first tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is ‘authoritative with respect to the power industry, and provides high-quality legal support’. Active across all sectors and with a strong UK focus, the firm is lead adviser to the joint venture between ScottishPower and National Grid for the Western HDVC Link. Robert Lane is ‘outstanding in the field of energy regulation, and brings a wealth of experience to difficult and complex issues’.

Within Water, tier 5

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP advised Saudi Arabia’s Electricity and Co Generation Regulatory Authority on the country’s Desalinated Water Transmission Code. Robert Lane is recommended.

Within Healthcare, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a third tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP primarily represents private sector clients, including Nuffield Health, Spire Healthcare, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, and RBS’ healthcare team. In 2011 it advised Integrated Dental Holdings on its acquisition by Carlyle and Palamon. Jason Zemmel and David Day lead the team.

Within Commercial property, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a first tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP advised Westminster City Council on the £121m sale of a major development site at Paddington Basin, and the Employees Provident Fund of Malaysia on its £80m acquisition of a Sainsbury’s distribution centre. The team was also involved in several large hotel refinancing deals. Recommended lawyers include Pranai Karia, who has an ‘excellent, non-adversarial approach’; Louise Wallace; Louise Mead; the ‘affable, knowledgeable’ James Miller; Ian McGarr, who is ‘a can-do lawyer with great working knowledge’; the ‘excellent’ Nick Hadley; Barney Hearnden, who is ‘thorough and thoughtful’; and department head Mark Heighton.

Within Construction, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a third tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is praised for its ‘top expertise’ in EPC contracts and energy. Team head Victoria Peckett stays ‘very much involved in projects’, and recently advised National Grid Carbon Limited on the construction of a carbon capture storage site. The team includes Rupert Choat, who provides ‘sound’, ‘sagacious’ and ‘good-value advice’; Karen Clarke, who specialises in facilities management matters; and Henry Sherman and Caroline Cummins, who are also recommended.

Within Environment, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a first tier firm,

With great strength in depth, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP covers the spectrum of environmental work, including matters relating to waste management, permitting, carbon trading, renewables, due diligence, and environmental crime (with an increase in investigations by the Environment Agency). In 2011 it advised Red Industries regarding a prosecution for alleged cyanide pollution of the River Trent, and acted in a separate remediation case for Veolia Water Central. Practice head Paul Sheridan has an ‘excellent commercial approach to solving problems’, and is ‘very astute and comprehensive’. Olivia Quaid is ‘responsive, knowledgeable and pragmatic’.

Within Overview,

In environmental matters, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP and Linklaters LLP lead the way, while Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP and Herbert Smith LLP field the top planning practices. Trowers & Hamlins LLP, Devonshires and Winckworth Sherwood stand out on the social housing side.

Within Planning, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a third tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP’s team now has two partners, following the recent promotion of Ashley Damiral, who has ‘a great deal of experience’ and specialises in strategy and environmental impact assessments. The team advised EDP on marine licensing and EIA matters relating to the development of three Scottish offshore wind farms, and continued its work for CitizenM Hotels in relation to the development of boutique hotels in Southwark and Tower Bridge. Chris Williams heads the practice.

Within Property finance, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a second tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP has ‘excellent in-depth knowledge and a can-do transaction team to call upon’. Key clients include well-known lenders and borrowers, including Lloyds Banking Group, Bank of Ireland and RBS. The team also advised Nykredit Realkredit A/S on a multimillion-pound term loan following the conversion of Liberty plc into a REIT. Simon Johnston and Ian McGarr are ‘always available and efficient at keeping to timescales’.

Within Property litigation, tier 4

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP’s ‘extremely efficient’ group represents investors, large retailers and public sector entities. Andrew Walker leads an ‘excellent team’, which counts The Wellcome Trust among its clients. Newly promoted partner Danielle Drummond-Brassington ‘spots all the key points’.

Within Brand management, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a third tier firm,

‘Excellent, client focused, and with a pan-European capability’, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP has recently advised on ambush marketing, copy clearance, promotions, regulatory matters, and disputes. The team represents leading names in sectors such as technology, life sciences and consumer products. Susan Barty is ‘extremely client friendly and provides thorough, clear advice on advertising law’, and Tom Scourfield is ‘on the ball and easily engages at a business level’.

Within Intellectual property, tier 4

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP acts for clients across the life sciences, consumer goods and hi-tech industries. Tom Scourfield recently acted for Nestlé in High Court litigation regarding the validity of shape marks. Team head Nick Beckett focuses on life sciences patent litigation; Susan Barty advises on technology matters; and Jeremy Morton handles a broad range of contentious work.

Within IT and telecoms, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a second tier firm,

The team at CMS Cameron McKenna LLP combines ‘legal excellence and commercial understanding’, and is expert in competition law and other regulatory matters. Practice head John Armstrong has particular experience in large-scale outsourcing matters, and Chris Watson is noted for his telecoms expertise. Joanne Wheeler has ‘specialist knowledge of the satellite industry and all relevant regulatory and legal issues’.

Within Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a second tier firm,

‘A great combination of true sector focus and a larger firm full service structure’, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP acts for various leading global pharmaceutical and medical device companies on major transactions. It acted for Takeda on its €9.6bn acquisition of Nycomed. Sarah Hanson, who is ‘a good lawyer, very thoughtful but highly pragmatic, and has outstanding sector knowledge’ on commercial matters, recently advised healthcare group BTG on a licensing deal with Japan-based Ohara Pharmaceutical. Shuna Mason is ‘excellent for regulatory compliance and ethics matters’, David Marks handles EU and competition matters, and Nick Beckett leads on IP work.

Within Rail, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a third tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP’s team is headed by the ‘brilliant’ Jonathan Beckitt and Bill Carr. It advised Tramlink Nottingham in connection with the second phase of the Nottingham Express Transit (NET Line Two) PFI project; and is advising the government of India’s Ministry of Railways in connection with the proposed redevelopment of New Delhi Railway Station on a PPP basis.