Effectively utilising legal technology and a flexible billing structure, the small yet agile team at independent boutique CM Law continues to gain traction among international clients and referring law firms, and is increasingly viewed as a viable alternative to more established firms as a result of its 'proactive and strategic mindset'. As well as excelling on cross-border mandates for private equity funds on their downstream investments, the team also balances 'legal and regulatory precision, and commercial insight' to good effect on financial services M&A in the domestic market. Team head Raphael Collin 'brings strategic depth and senior oversight to every matter', including for financial sponsors on structuring their investments, as well as on group reorganisations.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Commitment, responsiveness, ability to listen to the client and come up with creative solutions.
- The team is highly responsive, reliable, and focused on long-term relationships. Compared to other firms, they stand out for their personalized service, flexible billing, and collaborative culture. They are a trusted partner which consistently delivers value.
- Raphael Collin, Founder and Partner, and Flavien Carbone, Counsel, are both exceptional in their ability to combine legal precision with commercial pragmatism. Raphael brings strategic depth and senior oversight to every matter, offering clear, actionable guidance that reflects both technical excellence and business acumen. Flavien is highly responsive and detail-oriented, with a strong focus on execution and client service. Their collaborative style, accessibility, and commitment to tailored solutions set them apart from competitors. Whether in financings or corporate issues including restructuring, their advice is consistently pragmatic, timely, and aligned with client needs.
- CM Law’s Luxembourg Commercial, Corporate and M&A practice handled the Luxembourg workstream of a cross-border transaction with exceptional precision, constant availability, and rapid adaptation to moving terms. They ran the notarial, corporate, and registry steps flawlessly and coordinated seamlessly with us. Potential clients should know they offer rigorous drafting, decisive partner engagement at critical moments, and pragmatic solutions that preserve deal momentum. Compared to other firms, their hand-offs to foreign counsel were effortless and their guidance consistently practical.
- Honesty and transparency in the way work is undertaken.
- Combines pragmatic advice with exceptional responsiveness, making it a strong partner in borrower-side financings and complex corporate restructurings where we worked together. Their lean setup ensures direct senior involvement and swift execution. Compared to larger firms, its flexible fee structures offer real commercial value. The team stands out for its adaptive billing models—such as capped and blended fees—and a collaborative approach working cross-border.
- The professionals at CM Law stand out for their ability to combine strong legal expertise with a human and collaborative approach. Each partner and associate I have worked with has consistently demonstrated a commitment to understanding clients’ needs and translating them into practical, high-quality solutions. I have particularly valued: Availability and accessibility – partners are consistently present and responsive, ensuring continuity and timely advice. Clear communication – they explain even complex legal issues in a straightforward, decision-oriented way. Proactive and strategic mindset – rather than simply reacting, they anticipate risks and propose innovative solutions. Strong teamwork – partners and associates collaborate seamlessly, creating a cohesive team focused on client goals. In particular, the partners I have worked most closely with combine rare technical excellence with genuine personal attention, which sets them apart from many competitors.
- CM Law stands apart as a legal advisory firm that seamlessly blends deep-rooted expertise with a progressive, client-centric ethos. As our trusted legal advisor, CM Law exemplifies the qualities that discerning clients seek: precision, agility, and a profound understanding of the evolving legal and business landscape.
- I’ve worked with Raphael Collin and have found him to be a reliable and professional partner. He communicates clearly, is responsive, and works collaboratively, which makes the process smooth and efficient. His consistent availability and practical approach are qualities I’ve particularly appreciated.
- Among the many talented professionals at CM Law, Raphaël Collin stands out as a partner whose depth of expertise and strategic acumen consistently elevate the firm’s reputation and impact. As Managing Partner, Raphaël embodies the qualities that clients and colleagues alike value most: intellectual rigor, commercial insight, and unwavering dedication to excellence.
Practice head
Raphael Collin
Other key lawyers
Flavien Carbone
