Pairing ‘fresh digital-native perspectives with extensive sectoral experience’, the fintech group at CMS is a go-to for clients engaged in payments and lending, insurtech, neo-brokerage, digital assets and tokenisation, and securities and financing. Delivering ’pragmatic guidance that bridges innovation and compliance’, co-head Clair Wermers is adept at tokenisation and digital asset structures, with deep expertise in licensing, crypto registrations, and fintech transactions. With a client roster of international fintechs and insurtechs, fellow co-head Tessa Penninks specialises in payments, lending and InsurTech regulation. Laurens Pronk is another key name to note.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Clair Wermers' work reflects a deep understanding of both the regulatory framework and the practical challenges of implementing digital asset strategies. Clair distinguishes herself through her hands-on, solution-oriented approach, providing clients with pragmatic guidance that bridges innovation and compliance.'
- 'Clair Wermers brings exceptional commitment and willingness to go the extra mile, ensuring that complex digital transformation initiatives are executed with precision and integrity.’
- ‘Worked extensively with Clair Wermers and Karsten Bruinsma. Both are excellent and a joy to work with.'
- ‘The team is approachable, pragmatic, and down to earth, a cultural fit that aligns well with our own organization. CMS stands out for its proactive engagement with clients on key topics and developments, and for its openness about both possibilities and limitations.’
- ‘They are open-minded and creative in substantive discussions, yet also highly efficient when it comes to implementing solutions or defining strategy.’
- ‘What sets them apart is their ability to translate complex regulatory frameworks into practical, business-ready guidance.’
Key clients
- Lemonade
- Visa
- Renault Finance (Mobilize Financial Services)
- The Dutch Blockchain Coalition (DBC)
- a.s.r.
- 2Tokens
- Commerzbank
- Volkswagen Pon Financial Services
- PayPal
- Alpha Group International
Work highlights
Advised the 2Tokens consortium on the legal aspects of the European Blockchain Sandbox of the European Commission.
Assisting Lemonade, a licensed US InsurTech company specialised in online insurance, with the expansion of their business in Europe starting in the Netherlands (and now also in Germany, UK and France).
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Clair Wermers; Tessa Penninks
Other key lawyers
Karsten Bruinsma; Laurens Pronk