Partners at CMS UK, Nabarro and Olswang have voted to merge, and will become the world’s sixth largest law firm by headcount and sixth largest in the UK by revenue. After the merger, due to complete by 1 May 2017, the firm will trade as CMS. It will have more than 1,000 partners, a global team of more than 4,500 lawyers, and global revenues in excess of €1.2 billion. CMS senior partner Penelope Warne said the merger “is a great endorsement of the extraordinary export of English law throughout the world”.
13 October 2016
CMS merger
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Katten Muchin Rosenman—Charlotte Hill
Katten strengthens financial markets and funds group in London
Hugh James—Keith Cundall & Lee Hart
Hugh James expands national Serious Injury team with two new Partners
HFW—Rémi Ducloyer
HFW continues Paris office growth with public law Partner hire
NEWS
The Court of Appeal's decision in Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys LLP has lifted months of uncertainty for Chartered Legal Executives while prompting a rethink of regulation and supervision
The assisted dying debate returns to Westminster as Lauren Edwards MP reintroduces legislation that stalled in the House of Lords last session despite clearing the Commons
A little-noticed provision of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 has fundamentally expanded corporate criminal liability
Artificial intelligence is transforming legal practice, but careless reliance on it is creating growing professional risks
The law offers cohabiting couples surprisingly greater protection after one partner dies than when they separate during life
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