Acting for investors and target companies on all manner of funding rounds – covering friends and family, seed, Series A, B, and late-stage – the team at CMS is particularly praised for its expertise in the IT, energy, and real estate industries. The team is jointly led by Tony Waller and John Finnemore in London; the former advises investors in and acquirers of high-growth tech corporations, while the latter is an expert in complex follow-on investments. Other key figures include Louis Glass, who is noted for his knowledge of the TMT space; Tom Jameson, who assists with private equity investments; and Theo Godfrey, whose expertise encompasses life sciences and healthcare.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Highly trained and goal-focused team that works with a high level of understanding of client's needs and brings the deal to the finish line quickly. The collaboration with all parties, including the other side, is highly efficient and goal orientated. The team fully lives up to the firm's worldwide reputation as a leading VC law firm.’
‘We mainly worked directly with the partner. The communication and support were exemplary. The process was very goal-orientated. Our expectations as clients were fully met and communicated accordingly to the other side. Never before has my team been guided through the legal side of an investment in such a structured way. We would work with the partner and the team again at any time on a future transaction.’
‘Very responsive and reasonable fees.’
‘John Finnemore is very well experienced and very responsive.’
Key clients
- Hokodo
- Hypervision Surgical
- Cavalry Ventures
- Forte Organics
- TravelLocal
- The Run Buddy (‘Runna’)
- Smedvig Capital
- Bayern Kapital
- Beckley Psytech
- Phasecraft
Work highlights
- Advised the creators of personalised running coaching app and EquIP member Runna on its £5m Seed Plus round, based on a £32m pre-money valuation.
- Advised Bayern Kapital on Series A investment into medical device company LUMA Vision. LUMA Vision designs and develops an innovative 4D imaging and navigation end-to-end platform for cardiac applications to deliver data at the point of therapy.
- Advised Beckley Psytech on its Series C fundraising round led by Atai Life Sciences. This investment and collaboration aims to accelerate the development of Beckley Psytech’s two clinical-stage, patent-protected, short-duration psychedelic candidates, BPL-003 and ELE-101, by adding them to Atai’s mental health innovation platform.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Tony Waller; John Finnemore
Other key lawyers
Louis Glass; Tom Jameson; Theo Godfrey; Sam Pout; Elliot Cowan