CMS

Praised for bringing 'first-hand experience across a number of sectors to deliver an exceptional service to their clients’, CMS advises on an array of energy and infrastructure assets, demonstrating particular strength in energy transition, digital infrastructure and social infrastructure work. Practice co-chair Paul Smith handles a range of instructions from lenders and sponsors, spanning social infrastructure, transport and utilities. Fellow co-chair and finance specialist Jonathan Dames has latterly advised on a number of project finance, debt finance and refinancing instructions, particularly in the digital infrastructure space. Third co-head James Snape is the key contact in the practice for infrastructure-related procurement and construction advice, and demonstrates key understanding of assets such as energy-from-waste, carbon capture, and heat networks. Katie Duffield is well regarded for her finance practice, advising on large-scale project financings across Europe. Robert Gray is noted for his ‘excellent attention to detail’ and has experience advising on innovative infrastructure funding models.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘We have worked with Rob Gray for many years and he has excellent attention to detail.’
‘James Snape has great industry knowledge within Waste to Energy. He heads a great team and is able to set up strong legal teams for our global business using the CMS global network.’
‘The team are able to bring first-hand experience across a number of sectors to deliver an exceptional service to their clients.'
‘There are a number of individuals within the team that i have worked with in excess of 20 years across a range of projects and sectors, providing advice at different levels within the contracting structures we have utilised. These have included Paul Smith, Jonathan Dames, and Philip Duffield All have provided an exceptional service.'
‘CMS are always friendly, welcoming and super efficient.’
‘The CMS team have exceptional depth of knowledge across the sector. They act as a trusted adviser across a wide number of projects as they both understand our business and the sector within which we operate. CMS have an excellent profile across the sector, but remain eager to support and encourage, whereas others may be more aggressive and dismissive.’
‘Paul Smith is an outstanding partner with second-to-none knowledge of the sector. He is a trusted adviser and provides outstanding commercial advice, time after time. Our team gets better, just from working with the CMS team.’

Key clients

Aviva Investors
Equitix
John Laing
The Renewable Infrastructure Group
InfraRed Capital Partners
Octopus
Dalmore
DIF
Macquarie/GIG
Allianz
Amber
Statkraft
Equinor
BP
Repsol
Mainstream Renewable Power
CKI
Marubeni
Biffa
Babcock & Wilcox
National Grid
Laing O’Rourke
Johnson & Johnson
Assured Guaranty
PIC
SSE
EDF
Veolia
Viridor
GLIL
CIC
Low Carbon
GCP
Eelpower
Pivot Power
Instavolt
Infrared Capital Partners
3i
BP Chargemaster
RBS
NAB
Société Génerale
Crédit Agricole
KfW IPEX
EKF
VPI (Vitol)
GE
L&G
U+I
iCON Infrastructure
Balfour Beatty
Public Health England
Transport for Greater Manchester
Manchester Airport Group
University of Sheffield
Covanta
Arup
CBRE
Strabag
Shell
WepCo
Zenobē

Work highlights

Advised Statera Energy on the development of a project financed 300MW (600MWh) Thurrock Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Tilbury, Essex.
Advising VPI/Vitol on the Humber Net Zero CCUS Project.
Advising WEPCo on the development and implementation of the MIM schools programme in Wales.

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