CMS > Luxembourg, Luxembourg > Firm Profile
CMS Offices
3, RUE GOETHE
1637 LUXEMBOURG
Luxembourg
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CMS > The Legal 500 Rankings
Luxembourg > Fintech Tier 2
Noted for its ‘mix of technical knowledge and client care’, CMS is a popular choice among fintech start-ups and more established entities throughout the lifecycle of their needs, from obtaining authorisation from the CSSF through to ongoing operational matters and ad-hoc matters. ‘Committed’ team head Aurélia Viémont has broad expertise, including advice on crowdfunding platforms, initial coin offerings (ICOs), security token offerings (STOs), and innovative payment solutions.Practice head(s):
Aurelia Viemont
Testimonials
‘They are very happy to spend time to fully understand our new technologies to better solve the related challenges.’
‘They provide a unique mix of technical knowledge and client care.’
‘Aurelia Viemont is committed and engaged.’
Key clients
ekonoo
Blocktrade
BlocHome
Tokeny
Luxembourg > Insurance Tier 2
Co-headed by Benjamin Bada and Vivian Walry, CMS handles a mix of day-to-day regulatory issues, advice on new products and general corporate work, as well as standalone bespoke projects, including multi-jurisdictional matters involving interaction with other firmwide offices. As well as advising conventional insurance platforms, including life and reinsurance, the team also has considerable expertise advising on work at the intersection of insurance and fintech.Practice head(s):
Vivian Walry; Benjamin Bada
Key clients
Allianz
Aon
Zurich
Chubb
AXA
AIG
Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE
Bupa
Luxembourg > Investment funds Tier 2
The 'pragmatic and knowledgeable' team at CMS provides 'client-oriented and cost-effective' advice to fund managers and institutional investors across a wide range of alternative asset classes, often making very effective use of the firm's wider global network. Team head Aurélien Hollard is key to the firm's success, providing 'very client focused and solutions-oriented' advice, including in the context of ESG/impact investing funds. Drawing upon a 'great knowledge of and experience with the fund industry and its regulation', Benjamin Bada has an excellent perspective on the buy and sell side, and a 'good overview of complex structures', including in the private equity and venture capital sector.Practice head(s):
Aurélien Hollard
Other key lawyers:
Benjamin Bada; Julia Bruzzese
Testimonials
‘The pragmatic and knowledgeable team is pleasant to work with.’
‘They are very thorough, precise in their analysis, client-oriented and cost-effective. I always recommend them to other institutional investors like my company.’
‘As an authorised AIFM, we value the service and expertise of CMS Luxembourg, especially when it comes to advising on the creation of investment funds, with a focus on alternative investments.’
‘Aurelien Hollard is very client focused and solutions oriented.’
‘Benjamin Bada has a good overview of complex structures and relationships and also quickly grasps supervisory law issues in the cross-border area.’
‘Benjamin Bada provides excellent to-the-point advice with the required operational know-how with a client-first approach.’
‘Benjamin Bada not only has great knowledge of and experience with the fund industry and its regulation, but he was also a valued contributor to the more “commercial” aspects of negotiating with various LPs.’
Key clients
UBS
Patrizia
Tristan Capital Partners
Savills Investment Management
Aviva Investors
Sequoia
PFR TFI
Atlante Gestion
Barings
Eurazeo
Work highlights
- Advised Three Seas Initiative Investment Fund (3SIIF) on all aspects of the fund’s structuring and launch.
- Advised Eurazeo on the structuring of a Luxembourg fund.
- Acted as lead counsel for Satgana in relation to the establishment of its first Luxembourg fund, Satgana Fund I SCSp.
Luxembourg > Private equity Tier 2
Drawing upon ‘in-depth knowledge’ across the private equity sector, CMS provides an ‘efficient, professional and timely service’ to a myriad of financial sponsors. The team, which is led by the ‘client-oriented and responsive’ Gérard Maîtrejean, excels in acting in cross-border M&A mandates, where it often works alongside its global network of offices.Practice head(s):
Gérard Maitrejean
Other key lawyers:
Pawel Hermelinski; Andree Antonescu
Testimonials
‘They have in-depth knowledge of our requirements as a client.’
‘The firm provides an efficient, professional and timely service.’
‘Gérard Maîtrejean is client oriented and responsive.’
Key clients
Terra Firma Capital Partners
Apax Capital
Goldman Sachs
Quadriga Capital
I Squared Capital
ABAC Capital
Three Hills Capital Partners
Aerium
DigitalBridge
Mayfair Equity Partners
Luxembourg > Tax Tier 2
Drawing upon ‘extensive knowledge and experience in international tax law’, CMS excels in providing the tax structuring associated with cross-border transactions, where it frequently teams up with lawyers across its extensive international network to provide a very co-ordinated and collaborative service. Team head Frédéric Feyten ‘thinks outside of the box and always provides client-friendly and pragmatic solutions’, including on behalf of corporates and funds on cross-border M&A mandates and reorganisations. Recognised for his ‘unwavering dedication to his clients’ best interests’, senior counsel Alejandro Dominguez is also an integral part of the team and exhibits ‘a deep understanding of Luxembourg law and its complexities’.Practice head(s):
Frédéric Feyten
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘All team members are highly knowledgeable, very professional and responsive.’
‘Their extensive knowledge and experience in international tax law has been instrumental in successfully resolving complex legal and tax issues. They exhibit excellent analytical skills, attention to detail, and have an ability to think critically, which greatly contributes to their effectiveness as tax lawyers.’
‘CMS’ teams work in a very co-ordinated way, in a way that the client feels your matters are being handled in a very professional and technical way.’
‘Frédéric Feyten’s knowledge of tax structures and adaptability to each case is second to none.’
‘Frédéric Feyten is extremely efficient, thinks outside of the box and always provides client-friendly and pragmatic solutions.’
‘The exceptional Alejandro Dominguez has a deep understanding of Luxembourg law and its complexities.’
‘Alejandro Dominguez has an unwavering dedication to his clients’ best interests. He demonstrates genuine empathy and understanding of our needs and concerns, and he works tirelessly to provide us with the best legal/tax representation possible.’
Key clients
Kindred Capital
CA Indosuez
Cryptix AG
Syntaxis Capital
Ekistics Property Advisors
Verdion
Davidson Kempner Partners
Aquila Capital
Patrizia
Tristan Capital Partners
Arcano Partners
Aerium
Goldman Sachs
Work highlights
- Advised Verdion on the sale of UPS’s Czech headquarters and principal logistics hub to Safichem Invest.
- Advised the Swiss Life fund on the acquisition of the Duet development in Manchester from the Moorfield Group managed Moorfield Real Estate Fund (MREF) IV fund for £73.9m (€86m).
- Advised Blue Elephant Energy AG and its shareholders on the sale of a majority stake to Antin Infrastructure Partners.
Luxembourg > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 3
Leveraging ‘excellent market knowledge and deep expertise’ in the fund and banking space, CMS' Luxembourg office is regularly instructed on standalone domestic regulatory issues, as well as providing local law financing advice, alongside lawyers throughout its network of offices, across a myriad of transactional matters. Team head Vivian Walry has ‘great knowledge and commercial understanding’ and is noted for his project finance, regulatory and capital markets expertise. Aurélia Viémont takes the lead on all regulatory matters and through her involvement in working groups, as well as her fee-earning work, has developed a deep understanding of both traditional banking and fintech regulatory developments.Practice head(s):
Vivian Walry
Other key lawyers:
Aurélia Viémont; Zornitsa Dimitrova
Testimonials
‘The team has excellent market knowledge and deep expertise.’
‘Vivian Walry has a great knowledge and commercial understanding and treats every task, whether small or large, with the same amount of attention and care.’
‘This team has it all, dedicated and engaged professionals, human touch, technical knowledge, specific experts, they dedicate time and effort to customers. Honestly, I am super happy that we found them.’
‘They are professional while human. The interest for our organisation is clear, they do not see us as one more client, but as a partner, that’s key.’
‘The team is readily available and willing to assist.’
‘Straight forward replies in a limited time.’
‘The team work efficiently together to contribute the best knowledge to tasks.’
‘Vivian Walry has a great knowledge and commercial understanding and treats every tasks whether small or big with the same amount of attention and care.’
Key clients
Bank of Ireland
UniCredit Bank
ING
Royal Bank of Scotland
EBRD
National Australia Bank
Erste Bank
Raiffeinsenbank International
Aareal Bank
Novo Banco
Nordic Capital
Tristan Capital Partners
Luxembourg > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3
Drawing upon ‘a high level of expertise’ both from Luxembourg and its international offices, CMS is well-placed to advise clients on domestic and cross-border M&A and JV transactions, as well as in the context of the structuring and restructuring of corporate groups. In his role as head of the office’s corporate and private equity practices, a significant proportion of ‘seasoned’ team head Gérard Maîtrejean's transactional deal flow relates to sponsor-led mandates. In addition, he is adept at assisting companies with corporate governance, joint venture transactions and corporate migrations.Practice head(s):
Gérard Maitrejean
Other key lawyers:
Pawel Hermelinskil; Andree Antonescu
Testimonials
‘Their team is versatile and always on top of things, ensuring that the implementation of the project goes as smoothly as possible.’
‘They bring business-oriented solutions and provide a pragmatic approach.’
‘The lawyers have a high level of expertise, commitment and flexibility.’
‘Gerard Maitrejean is very seasoned, always finds a solution and is very practical.’
‘The team is always available and has really good technical knowledge.’
‘Gerard Maitrejean is always available, client-oriented and extremely good at risk management.’
‘All members of the team are highly knowledgeable, very professional and responsive. Their availability at short notice was impressive given the client pressures. The detail in their advice is what sets them apart.’
‘What makes the difference is their high level of expertise, their commitment, communication, dedication to different projects, availability and flexibility.’
Key clients
Equitix
Allianz Real Estate
PetroRio
Mayfair Equity Partners
Volkswagen AG
VGP European Logistics
Principal Real Estate Europe
DigitalBridge
Work highlights
- Advised DigitalBridge Group on its acquisition, along with Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, of a majority stake in GD Towers.
- Advised the CFL Group on acquisition of a stake in the Luxport Group.
Luxembourg > Employment Tier 3
The ‘responsive and helpful’ team at CMS is ‘incredibly knowledgeable and efficient’ and provides ‘pragmatic advice’ to international financial services, investment management, technology and construction companies across a wide array of day-to-day employment issues they encounter while conducting business in Luxembourg. Team head Hugo Arellano, who was promoted to partner at the beginning of 2023, handles day-today HR employment queries, as well as larger scale mandates including collective redundancies, implementation of flexible working policies and high-stakes litigation.Practice head(s):
Hugo Arellano
Other key lawyers:
Leslie Ledrich; Julia Cavuoto
Testimonials
‘The employment practice is responsive and helpful. They take the time to explain the ins and outs of Luxembourg laws and how those laws apply to our situation.’
‘The team is incredibly knowledgeable and efficient. They are also easy to work with.’
‘The reactive and responsive team provides pragmatic advice.’
‘Hugo Arellano and Leslie Ledrich are good communicators.’
‘Engaging, forward-thinking and very supportive.’
‘Friendly professional and supportive approach, always in a good mood and nice to deal with.’
Luxembourg > Dispute resolution
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