Covering the full array of pensions work, and possessing one of the largest teams, CMS advises trustees, employers, consultants, and insurers on every aspect of pension schemes. The practice is particularly experienced in benefit redesign, scheme closures, and liability reduction, in addition to having specialist expertise in de-risking. The ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Maria Rodia is experienced in de-risking and advising companies in the energy sector, as well as insurers and reinsurers, and other large pension schemes. Mark Atkinson, an industry leader with deep experience acting for trustees and companies in occupational pension schemes, provides daily advice to many leading companies. Other notable practitioners on the team include Keith Webster, a leading adviser to a number of the UK’s largest DB and DC master trusts; Mark Jenkins, a contentious and non-contentious pensions adviser experienced in scheme mergers, benefit design, and restructuring; and Johanna Clarke, who focuses on DC master trusts, trustees transferring to master trusts, and master trusts consolidation.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The CMS team is extremely pragmatic and proportionate. They are able to see simple solutions where it may not be obvious.'
- 'CMS have a wide practice that ensures they are able to tackle any problem - you'll never have a problem that they cannot help with.’
- ‘Mark Jenkins is an excellent adviser - he's always responsive, goes the extra mile to help get matters done, and is a superb negotiator; very commercial and thinks of practical solutions to complex problems.'
- ‘Maria Rodia is an extremely knowledgeable, pragmatic and solution focussed partner.'
- ‘Mark Atkinson is an exceptional pensions lawyer - technically excellent, extremely commercial, with sound judgement and strong interpersonal skills. Unlike many pension lawyers, he has an excellent understanding of "the numbers" and rapidly becomes a truly trusted adviser.’
- ‘Keith Webster is highly intelligent and very commercial at the same time.’
- ‘CMS' pensions team are great to work with and feel like an extension of our in-house team. They have excellent pensions expertise, alongside great industry knowledge and commercial awareness, and a large team of lawyers and are able to draw on the expertise of other departments, meaning they can deal efficiently with large and complex projects.’
- 'Fantastic team of pensions lawyers that have the nous and muscle power to deal with highly technical and contentious matters.'
Key clients
- The Trustee of the Aon Retirement Plan
- Pension Insurance Corporation
- Clara-Pensions Limited
- Just Group
- Wates Group
- Trustee of the British Tourist Boards’ Staff PLAS
- Board of the Pension Protection Fund
- Trustee of the University of Manchester Superannuation Scheme
- TPT Retirement Solutions
- Lufthansa UK Pension Trustee Ltd
- The Trustee of the Aon Retirement Plan
- Pension Insurance Corporation
- Clara-Pensions Limited
- Just Group
- Wates Group
- Trustee of the British Tourist Boards’ Staff PLAS
- Board of the Pension Protection Fund
- Trustee of the University of Manchester Superannuation Scheme
- TPT Retirement Solutions
- Lufthansa UK Pension Trustee Ltd
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.
Practice head
Maria Rodia
Other key lawyers
Mark Atkinson; Keith Webster; Mark Jenkins; Johanna Clarke; Pete Coyne; Caroline Kurup; Hadassah Whitaker