CMS advises major energy companies on the full lifecycle of renewables projects, including M&A and finance transactions, disputes, and regulatory issues. The particularly stands out for its advice in the battery storage sector, while demonstrating additional expertise in hydrogen, CCUS, and offshore wind projects. Munir Hassan leads the team and is an expert in global offshore wind projects. Charles Currier is a key contact for utilities, power producers, developers, and funds in renewable energy and infrastructure M&A. Philip Duffield and Louise Dalton are further key contacts in energy storage mandates, with Dalton demonstrating additional expertise in power purchase arrangements and grid connection arrangements. Dalia Majumder-Russell leads the team’s hydrogen and CCUS specialism, and is a notable authority on renewables transactions and corporate offtake contracts.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- CMS has a very strong renewables practice and a clear depth of experience across the sector. The team understands the commercial, regulatory, and financing dynamics that drive renewable energy projects and is able to provide advice that is practical, commercial, and grounded in market experience. The team’s strength is not just technical legal knowledge but its familiarity with how renewables projects are actually developed, financed, contracted, and executed. That makes the advice useful for in-house counsel and business teams alike. They are able to identify the key issues, explain the market position, and help clients understand where to focus negotiation efforts. Compared with other firms, CMS has a particularly strong sector profile in renewables. The team is credible, experienced, and clearly familiar with current market practice. Potential clients would want to know that CMS is well suited to renewables mandates where sector knowledge, speed of response, and practical execution are important. The team is also collaborative and user-friendly. They work well with in-house teams and are able to provide clear, focused advice without losing sight of the commercial objectives of the matter.
- The individuals I have worked with at CMS stand out for their sector knowledge and practical approach. They understand renewable projects and are able to give advice that reflects market practice rather than purely legal theory. The partners are experienced, commercially aware, and accessible. They are good at focusing attention on the issues that matter and giving a clear steer where judgment is required. The associates are responsive and diligent, and they support transactions effectively. The quality I value most is the team’s ability to combine renewable expertise with practical execution. They understand the pace and commercial pressures of the sector and provide advice in a way that helps move matters forward.
- They are patient, clear, able to explain why issues mattered, and took a pragmatic, risk-based approach that balanced commercial needs when appropriate.
- The team is very thorough and knowledgeable and able to explain complex legal issues in simple language for those of us who aren't trained lawyers to understand. They're very responsive and I felt organized with them - at any point in time any member of the team was able to tell me exactly where we were in the process.
- Focused on the timeline and deliverables.
- The team is capable and quick to respond to queries.
Key clients
- Fidra Energy Limited
- National Grid UK Limited
- Brookfield
- Transmission Investment LLP
- Octopus Energy
- Lloyds Bank, Commonwealth Bank of Australia
- HYRO Energy Limited
- National Grid Electricity Transmission PLC - Sealink
- AXA Investment Managers Alts
- Rezolv Energy
Work highlights
Advised Fidra Energy on the development and financing of the Thorpe Marsh BESS Project at 1.4GW/3.1GWh.
Advised KKR on its partnership with RWE to jointly realise RWE’s Norfolk Vanguard East and Norfolk Vanguard West offshore wind projects, together representing 3.1 GW of installed capacity.
Advised Rezolv Energy on €620m+ financing for VIFOR wind farm project in Romania with a power output of 461 MW.
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.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Munir Hassan
Other key lawyers
Charles Currier; Philip Duffield; Louise Dalton; Dalia Majumder-Russell; Tom Ballard