Acting for some of the biggest consumer and retail names in the market on big-ticket strategic issues, investigatory work related to brand infringement, and high-profile M&A, CMS has one of the largest retail and consumer practices able to handle such matters. In the past year, the team has especially bolstered its ability in product liability matters, consumer law compliance, and advising large corporations on ESG guidelines and mandates. The practice is led by Tom Scourfield, a trusted advisor in commercial IP, advertising and marketing, and e-commerce and consumer protection; and Katie Nagy de Nagybaczon, a specialist in the fashion sector on growth and exit strategies through private and public M&A, IPOs, fundraisings, joint ventures and reorganisations.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The team are coherent and consistent and importantly well-networked internally, so when we need advice outside this team's skill set, they can connect us with relevant teams who are motivated to help.'
  • 'The team keep themselves up to date with trends and changes in both the legal world and our sector, and importantly they keep us up to date with regular webinars, quarterly updates and of course the Annual Conference.'
  • 'We as a team put a huge amount of trust in CMS to keep us up to date and informed with factors that may impact our industry, and they have never let us down.'
  • 'The retail and consumer team have a world-class reputation and our team are glad they are sat on our side of the table!'

Key clients

  • Active Partners
  • Associated British Foods / Primark
  • Build-a-Bear
  • BYD
  • City Chic Collective
  • Compass Group
  • Dreams
  • Finsbury Foods
  • Floris (J Floris Ltd)
  • French Connection
  • Hackett
  • Iconix International

Work highlights

Advised Jaguar Land Rover on two litigation mandates: one in relation to an emissions class action and the other relating to a product liability class action.
Advise Sainsbury’s on a range of IP matters, including in patent litigation and trade marks.
Advised White Stuff Group Limited on its acquisition by TFG London.

Lawyers

Leading partners

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

Practice head

Katie Nagy de Nagybaczon; Tom Scourfield

Other key lawyers

Louise Wallace; Matthew Bennett; Olivia Jamison; Kenny Henderson; Sarah Wright; Anna Cope