CMS‘ large team evidences deep sector expertise across real estate, energy, and pensions, with significant experience in a range of tax matters, including M&A and restructuring projects. Stephen Hignett and Aaron Fairhurst co-lead the group. Fairhurst has particular aptitude in insurance, and is deeply engaged in the oil & gas industry. Hignett covers both contentious and non-contentious matters, with key strength in the media and gambling sectors. Anna Burchner, who is qualified in England & Wales and Hungary, is an expert in international tax law, with supplementary coverage of VAT. Sam Dames focuses on the financial services, infrastructure, and life sciences sectors, and is described as ’exceptionally bright and a subject-matter expert.’ Mark Joscelyne advises on tax aspects of a broad range of corporate transactions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
I have worked closely with Anna Burchner. She has great tax knowledge, is proactive, produces great quality work, is attentive, and provides relevant tax information when requested.’
‘They are always available, responsive, and strike a good balance between being technical but also commercial.’
‘The CMS tax team has "best in class" expertise for upstream oil and gas tax matters.’
‘Sam Dames is clearly exceptionally bright and a subject-matter expert.’
‘CMS is a top-notch law firm with great depth of knowledge in corporate tax, knowledge which it combines with diligence in the pursuit of accurate analysis and solutions and knowledge which it keeps up to date and relevant in the constantly changing fiscal landscape.’
‘Extremely experienced team specialised in oil and gas services. Services provided are to a very high standard and very responsive when dealing with fast-paced M&A deals.’
‘Philip Reid is exceptional to work with. He is very thorough and diligent but works quickly to a fast-paced environment. He is very patient and clear in providing advice and explanations. I feel like we are in a very safe pair of hands with Phil.’
‘Good technical knowledge and understanding.’
Key clients
- TP24
- ING Bank
- ABN Amro
- Crédit Agricole CIB
- The Bank of Nova Scotia
- National Westminster Bank Plc
- Banco Santander
- UniCredit Bank AG
- Ahold Delhaize
- NatWest Group
- Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC)
- Brookfield Renewable Partners
- Phoenix Equity Partners
- Ocean Winds
- Equinor UK
- Deloitte LLP
- Galliford Try Plc
- Pendragon Plc
- Goldman Sachs
Work highlights
- Advising Pension Insurance Corporation on a buy-in with the trustees of two schemes, the Sal Pension Scheme and the Royal Insurance Group Pension Scheme.
- Acted for Phoenix Equity Partners on its acquisition of and investment in 4most, a provider of risk analytics and modelling products to banks and insurers.
- Acted for Equinor UK on the $850million acquisition of Suncor Energy’s UK subsidiary, Suncor Energy UK Limited.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Stephen Hignett, Aaron Fairhurst