Boasting ‘first-class knowledge and resources’, the team at CMS has a strong track record in major Part 7 professional negligence claims and complex Part 8 claims. Maria Rodia leads the team, with the ’fantastic’ Neil Smith being a key port of call for actuarial and benefit consultants in professional negligence disputes; Neal Gibson brings additional experience in these areas. Manchester’s Tim Green handles a range of equalisation cases, Beddoe relief, and cross-border enforcements. TPR investigations are a core area of expertise for Keith Webster. Other key names include Mark Atkinson, who is commended as ‘one of the most knowledgeable and astute pensions lawyers in practice’, Simon Pilcher who is an expert in covenant support, scheme mergers, and asset backed funding, and Johanna Clarke who is particularly adept at assisting with DC master trusts. Alexandra Tomlinson, Simon Evans, and Kayleigh Garforth are also integral team members, and Mark Grant retired.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘CMS are the leading firm in pensions dispute resolution. No-one else can match their combination of first-class knowledge and resources. A behemoth, and in a good way!’
‘Mark Atkinson is one of the most knowledgeable and astute pensions lawyers in practice. Involved in some of the biggest cases. Will move mountains for his clients - and will know which mountains need to be moved. One of my top 3.
- 'Neil Smith is a fantastic client partner whose clients, quite rightly, are devoted to him.’
‘The Team has a great depth and breadth so highly knowledgeable about pensions. Access to wider fields outside of pensions is very helpful and leads to cost efficiencies. Likewise, their depth and breadth of experience across the team means that there are next to no scenarios that the team haven't come across previously.'
- 'The team are very hardworking and regularly go over and above to get the job done. They will always look for solutions to the problems presented to them but also do not shy away from saying where a particular outcome cannot (legally) be achieved.’
‘All of the team are very friendly, engaging and very easy to work with. I have no hesitation picking up the phone to any of them with the various legal problems I have encountered over the last year related to pensions.'
Key clients
- Aon
- Willis Tower Watson
- Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited
- Cobham Pension Plan
- Trustee of the Scottish Solicitors’ Staff Pension Fund
- Trustee of the Reynards UK Centralised Pension Scheme
- Trustee of the Munro & Miller Fittings Retirement Benefit Scheme
- Trustee of the Biwater Retirement and Security Scheme
- Board of the Pension Protection Fund
- Legal & General
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.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Maria Rodia
Other key lawyers
Neil Smith; Neal Gibson; Tim Green; Mark Atkinson; Keith Webster; Simon Pilcher; Johanna Clarke; Alexandra Tomlinson; Simon Evans; Kayleigh Garforth