CMS is best known for representing some of the insurance market’s biggest brokers and insurers on professional negligence matters. The Bristol-based team fields a deep senior bench, with a trio of partners comprising Cheryl Gibson, who specialises in handling cases against construction professionals; Zoe Burge, who typically defends claims against solicitors and insurance intermediaries; and Robert Jones, who is known for acting on behalf of surveyors and insurance brokers, leading on the key mandates. Practitioners on the ground work closely with the London office.
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Profile

Position

Partner

Career

Zoe Burge is a partner and Solicitor Advocate in the Insurance & Reinsurance Group of CMS UK. Zoe has worked in the London insurance market since 2008 and has a background in commercial disputes. Zoe moved from London to Bristol in 2012 and manages our Bristol team of insurance lawyers.

Zoe has worked on a wide range of professional indemnity disputes, but has particular experience of claims against solicitors and insurance intermediaries. Zoe also regularly advises Insurers on complex policy coverage issues relating to D&O, financial institutions and solicitors.

Zoe has her Higher Rights of Audience in Civil Advocacy and is a contributor to “Solicitors’ Claims: A Practical Guide” which was published by Sweet & Maxwell in 2013.

Education

  • 1999 – LPC, College of Law, Chester
  • 1998 – LLB (Hons), University of Birmingham

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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team showed a great understanding of our business sector and was able to articulate a vision in how the defence would be structured despite challenging circumstances. They were able to adapt to the changing circumstances to great effect.’

  • ‘Zoe Burge and Joanna Owens were exceptional to work with, showing a strong mix of commercial awareness with clear insight which was based upon an exceptional knowledge of our business sector. They were easy to communicate with showing both empathy and commercial awareness which helped us asses the situation throughout.’

  • ‘Robert Jones is always approachable and is happy to answer any questions or queries. He's always very responsive and responds promptly. His soft skills matched with expertise make him great to work with.’

Key clients

  • Acapella Syndicate 2014
  • AXIS
  • Channel Syndicate
  • CNA Hardy
  • Liberty
  • MS Amlin
  • AEGIS Managing Agency Limited
  • Neon
  • QBE
  • W R Berkley Insurance (Europe) Limited
  • Markel

Work highlights

Represented AE Insurance Brokers Limited and its insurers in a £2.65m professional negligence dispute in relation to alleged failure of insurance cover.
Acted for the insurers in the defence of £16m proceedings arising from theft of client money by a UK solicitor.