CM Murray LLP

Noted for its ‘exceptional, stand-out practice in partnership and employment law,’ CM Murray LLP is a go-to firm in the London market for partnership matters. The group boasts a breadth of expertise, offering both contentious and non-contentious assistance including disputes, structuring, M&A, regulatory, advisory, and discipline, and is instructed by clients from various industry sectors including law, accounting, chartered surveyors, and financial services. The ’excellent’ Sarah Chilton and the ‘experienced’ Zulon Begum co-lead the team and bring a wealth of specialism to the department. Chilton, who is qualified to practice in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, stands out for leading on partner wrongdoing and misconduct, discrimination, and restrictive covenant issues, as well as investigations, team moves, and exits, while Begum is highly adept in advising on non-contentious matters ranging from international structuring to governance and remuneration issues. Founder and managing partner Clare Murray has built an impressive reputation in the partnership space for her extensive experience handling partner conduct and performance cases, partner exits, and team moves, alongside restrictive covenants, discrimination, whistleblowing, and litigation. The practice also benefits from the aptitude of Corinne Staves who is capable of launching new firms, compliance and regulations, governance and structuring, and team moves. Emma Bartlett concentrates on partner moves and restrictive covenants, while Beth Hale handles allegations of misconduct and behavioural issues. Andrew Pavlovic and Wonu Sanda are other notable name in the group for their expertise in regulatory and compliance issues, and partner misconduct and investigations, respectively.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘A tight, relentless focus on its key areas differentiates CM Murray from its rivals. The firm has gone out of its way to assemble an impressive, multifaceted collaboration of experts in employment and partnership law. In the latter area particularly, they are one of a very small number of firms with exceptional capabilities in the UK.’
‘Clare Murray is a force of nature and a truly exceptional lawyer. Corinne Staves and Zulon Begum are two of only four or five UK lawyers who I believe are unreservedly capable of advising on partnership and governance matters in a complex merger. Andrew Pavlovic's experience practicing within the SRA places him uniquely to advise on disciplinary and regulatory matters.’
‘Their team are leaders fully immersed in their chosen practice areas. This makes them an easy recommendation knowing that the personality being matched will both quickly pick up the matter and have the knowledge and resource to deal with promptly. Clare Murray is top of the league for partnership dispute matters. Corinne Staves is one of the top two advisors for non-contentious partnership matters. Real pleasure to work with and very personable. Zulon Begum is very experienced and a pleasure to work with. Andrew Pavlovic is a rare commodity having a regulation partner but extremely credible and knows his practice area. A real asset!’
‘CM Murray is an exceptional, stand-out practice in partnership and employment law. What's notable is its focus and the quality of the individuals in the firm. It has carved out an truly enviable position as a go-to firm for senior corporate executives and partners in professional practices and works with some of the top members of the bar in this area. They are simply some of the best people in this area.’
‘Clare Murray is first among her peers with people skills to die for, a focused commercial approach and experience that her clients can rely on to chart the most difficult experiences. Others in the team include Corinne Staves who is a huge asset to the firm as a non-contentious expert with an encyclopedic knowledge of partnership law. Zulon Begum and Wonu Sandu are also notable members of the team.’
‘Zulon Begum has a comprehensive knowledge of partnership law and is highly responsive. Her advice is pragmatic and delivered in a friendly, down to earth manner. Sarah Chilton is also excellent.’
‘Emma Bartlett provides invaluable, clear, expert advice on complex LLP matters. I have found Emma to be a trusted advisor that can be totally relied upon. Emma who quickly gets to grips with the issue at hand and provides clear, comprehensive counsel that culturally aligns with our firm and the outcomes we are looking for as a client.’
‘Corinne Staves, is a guru in the partnership world with a strength of drafting skills and professional regulation. She is a true leader in the partnership world. Her career goes from strength to strength and she is a really strong additional to the firm.’

Key clients

AOSPHERE

Work highlights

Advised aosphere on the regulatory steps arising from its “de-regulation” as a result of Allen & Overy selling its majority stake in the company.

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