‘Highly professional and efficient’, the international arbitration team at CMS is led by Philip Norman, who focuses on complex work in the energy and infrastructure sectors and regularly advises on major institutional rules and ad hoc arbitrations. guy pendell is known for his skills in commercial arbitration, particularly in tech and finance disputes, while Emma Schaafsma, praised by clients for her ’excellent understanding’, brings further knowledge of energy, including LNG and renewables. Sunil Mawkin joined the team in September 2025 and has experience acting on major ICC arbitrations, and George Burn joined in June 2026, bringing extensive experience in both commercial and investor-state work.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Adrian Bell, a true leader in his field, is reflected by the fact that he is now a senior partner at CMS. Philip Norman is an incredibly talented and experienced arbitration lawyer. There is nothing he has not seen or done. Jay Randhawa is a relatively junior partner but performs like a partner with much more experience. He is particularly adept at dealing with Middle Eastern disputes.
- The international arbitration team of CMS is simply one of the best.
- Emma Schaafsma (Partner) and Julie Czaplinska-Pakowska (Associate) bring sharp, detailed, oriented, technically minded, responsive, and compassionate legal skills to complex construction dispute resolution.
- Attention to detail, responsiveness, ability, and competency with highly technical cases.
- Ben Trust is one of the best litigators in the city. Anuj Moudgil is an up-and-coming litigator to watch.
- Ben Trust is a brilliant strategist and tactician and an inspirational leader whose team will follow him anywhere. Anuj Moudgil is a thoughtful, considered, and highly skilled lawyer with excellent practical judgment. James Highfield and Andrew Wilson have both proved themselves to be highly capable arbitration specialists in high-value and complex disputes.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
George Burn
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Sunil Mawkin
Practice head
Philip Norman
Other key lawyers
Guy Pendell; Emma Schaafsma; Sunil Mawkin; George Burn; Sarah Grenfell