Melanie Lane
CMSThe ‘hugely responsive’ team at CMS is praised for its ’high level of attention to detail’ under the joint leadership of Aberdeen-based Alison Woods, and London-based Melanie Lane. This standalone international employment practice advises some well-known companies on a variety of complex UK employment matters. It has particularly strong expertise in sectors such as consumer products and retail, as well as technology, media and telecommunications. The agile team receives a regular flow of instructions in complex business reorganisations and restructurings, global outsourcing projects, as well as Employment Tribunal and High Court litigation. It is also experienced at handling major corporate and commercial transactions, as well as an array of ESG issues, and workplace investigations. The ‘very strong’ Steven Cochrane, Catherine Taylor and Anna Cope are all recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Absolutely brilliant employment law team. Real strength and depth at every level. Some of the most talented employment lawyers I know work for CMS. Unparalleled expertise across statutory and commercial employment law.’
‘Catherine Taylor is the best in the business. Exceptionally bright, knowledgeable and a fierce litigator. Anna Cope is an absolute star. I have never worked with a more dedicated and hard-working solicitor.'
‘Catherine Taylor is a go-to lawyer with huge experience. Hannah Netherton is an excellent young partner, dedicated, hard-working, clever.'
‘Catherine Taylor is very strong technically, but also takes the trouble to learn and adapt her advice to meet our business priorities and set-up. She is very accessible and works hard to meet our deadlines and longer term strategic aims.’
‘Richard Brown is excellent - technically and commercially. He always calls it right and doesn't sit on the fence. So many lawyers tell you the law and leave you to make your own decisions. Richard goes that vital step further and helps us to make difficult decisions.'
'Hannah Netherton - same day responses given with careful attention to our sensitivity as a charity on costs; advice is strategic, pragmatic and user-friendly with a particular understanding of reputational risks.'
‘Catherine Taylor is highly experienced and a very effective employment lawyer. '
‘Anna Cope is outstanding, one in a million. Anna is pragmatic and cuts straight through to provide sound advice. She is a fantastic sounding board, starts with understanding the desired outcome and works with you. Anna is commercially astute.'
Key clients
- Berenberg Bank
- British Telecommunications plc
- Capgemini
- ITV
- Legal & General
- Lendlease
- Marie Curie
- Metlife
- Oaktree
- Qatar Airways
- Wellcome Trust
Work highlights
- Advised ITV on issues relating to Phillip Schofield.
- Advised on the employment law aspects of various high profile corporate transactions – including for AlixPartners/ Hunter Boot, Iconix International, and Pendragon Inc.
- Advised on whistleblowing policies and procedures on a number of significant multijurisdictional projects for clients including a global household and consumer products business, a world-leading provider of jet engines, and a multinational pharmaceutical business.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Anna Cope
CMSPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Alison Woods, Melanie Lane