CMS

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

• CMS provides a highly professional yet personable service and demonstrates a deep understanding of our business, ethos, and priorities. Across all matters, they handle complex issues quickly and commercially, with a clear focus on practical solutions.
• Catherine Taylor is our key contact at CMS and brings considerable experience together with a measured and pragmatic approach to every matter, however unique or complex. We have also worked with Senior Associate, Molly Grace, who is confident, experienced, and adept in providing clear, practical advice.
• The team combines a strong knowledge of the applicable law with a healthy appreciation of the commercial drivers at play, which enables them to shape the advice to achieve the client's desired strategic outcome. They have demonstrated that they have technological and collaboration tools available to enable them to streamline document sharing and review, driving time and cost efficiencies.
• Richard Brown is a standout partner and encapsulates the reasons why I think CMS is a standout firm. He is not only extremely knowledgeable, but his application of the law is astute, commercial, and pretty much always right. Nice guy to boot!
• Hannah Netherton, the lead partner for my matters, is an outstanding employment lawyer and a trusted strategic adviser. What sets Hannah apart is her ability to combine exceptional legal judgment with commercial instinct, calm leadership, and emotional intelligence. She is highly credible with boards and senior stakeholders, particularly in sensitive and high-pressure situations where there are reputational, operational, and human dynamics at play alongside the legal issues. Her advice is pragmatic, measured, and solutions-oriented, and she inspires confidence from the outset. Hannah also leads a genuinely impressive team with exceptional strength and depth across the associate bench. Edward Arnold stands out for his sharp intellect, responsiveness, and ability to distill highly complex issues into clear, practical advice. Laura Rankin combines excellent technical expertise with strong commercial awareness and a calm, reassuring manner that clients greatly value. Max Wiktorsson is thoughtful, highly capable, and meticulous in his approach, with particularly strong judgment and attention to detail. Hattie Ryland is exceptionally organized, proactive, and collaborative, and consistently delivers work of an extremely high standard under pressure. What differentiates this team from many competitors is not only the quality of the legal advice but the way they work with clients. They are approachable, collaborative, and deeply invested in achieving the right outcome. There is no sense of hierarchy or unnecessary formality; clients feel supported by a cohesive team that is aligned, responsive, and fully engaged. The associates are empowered, commercially minded, and client-focused, which creates a very strong overall experience. The CMS employment team combines elite technical capability with humanity, strategic judgment, and genuine partnership. That combination is rare and is what makes them stand out in the market.

Key clients

• Berenberg
• Capgemini
• ITN
• ITV
• Legal & General Plc
• Lendlease
• Marie Curie
• Metlife
• Multiplex
• Multiverse
• Tokio Marine Kiln
• Volvo Financial Services

Lawyers

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Anna Cope