CMS and RPA sign co-operation agreement

CMS has entered into a Co-operation Agreement with leading Portuguese law firm, Rui Pena, Arnaut & Associados (RPA).

As part of the agreement, CMS and RPA are working together on cross-border deals, as well as providing mutual client referrals, particularly in the areas of corporate, employment, energy, intellectual property and tax.

CMS clients now have access to quality advice in Portugal, while clients of RPA have access to CMS' deep, local expertise in 29 countries. "With its strong presence in Portugal, RPA provides CMS and our clients with an important element in our distinctively European offering," explains Cornelius Brandi, Chairman of the CMS Executive Committee. "Already the cooperation is bearing fruit for the clients of both parties, and we look forward to building our relationship further."

"Our clients increasingly require expertise in multiple European jurisdictions and no organisation provides a better combination of local depth and geographic breadth than CMS," said José Luís Arnaut, Partner of RPA.

The agreement also promotes professional exchanges between lawyers and tax advisors in terms of training and development, and joint marketing initiatives.

The association is particularly important in developing a wider Iberian strategy, which is being driven by CMS Albiñana & Suárez de Lezo, the Spanish member of CMS, and RPA.