With a strong track record handling benefit redesigns, scheme closures, and liability reductions together with de-risking transactions, the broad team at CMS advises on an array of pensions matters. Practice head Maria Rodia has substantial experience in de-risking matters, acting for insurers and reinsurers, and advising energy sector clients. Mark Atkinson is active in a multitude of structural issues including buy-ins, buy-outs and PPF entries, while Keith Webster and Johanna Clarke are especially knowledgeable of defined benefit schemes and DC master trusts. Also key are Caroline Kurup, who is noted for advising a number of large master trusts and well-known brands, and ‘superb negotiator’ Mark Jenkins, who focuses on insolvency and restructuring mandates including apportionment arrangements and CVAs.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘CMS are a pleasure to work with. Everyone on the team is technically sound, that's a given for me, but they are also genuinely nice people who seem to care about their clients and their issues. They are collaborative and practically minded and work seamlessly with other advisers. We regularly discuss whether we need CMS at all our scheme meetings and every time we conclude that it is worth it for the value they add across the board. They seem very well plugged in to trends in the industry, the Regulator and the courts, and their perspective is always worth hearing.’
‘Both personable and professional with great attention to detail and the ability to provide clear advice.'
‘A large, well-resourced pensions practice with strength in depth.’
‘Keith Webster remains the star performer - commercial, pragmatic and responsive.’
‘As per the team, its about a collaborative approach to ensure the right outcome - bringing in expertise as required to achieve excellent outcomes.’
‘The CMS team are very practical and proactive lawyers, who help us to find commercially sound, pragmatic ways forward, but also tell it to us straight when we're not going to be able to achieve something, and help us find alternative solutions.’
‘Emma Frost - extremely competent, knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. Her matter management skills are excellent - she always keeps us informed on progress and is very responsive. She feels like a very safe pair of hands and is genuinely a key member of our trustee team.'
Key clients
- Clara Pensions
- NatWest
- Pension Insurance Corporation
- Legal and General
- The Trustee of the Bayer Group Pension Plan
- Manweb Pension Trustee Limited
- Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited
- The Trustee of the Biwater Retirement and Security Scheme
- British Telecommunications (BT)
- Pension Protection Fund (PPF)
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; Johanna Clarke; Emma Frost; Pete Coyne; Caroline Kurup; Mark Jenkins; Laura Clarke; Neil Smith; James Parker