Awards
CMS clients can rely on our outstanding professional skills and high level of availability, long experience of commercial law and specialist knowledge in niche areas, creativity even under time pressure, and our ability to develop innovative solutions even where tough regulatory or financial constraints apply. In addition to the positive feedback received from our clients, our constantly evolving service portfolio is frequently recognised by awards and rankings from respected legal publishers.
The 2024/2025 edition of the Kanzleimonitor highlights the outstanding performance of CMS Germany in various fields of law.
Key topics and trends for CMS Germany
- Employment law: CMS Germany is particularly highlighted for its expertise in employment law. The firm has received numerous recommendations for its comprehensive advice and support on employment law matters.
- Corporate law: CMS Germany also performs strongly in corporate law. The firm is praised for its ability to solve complex corporate law issues and support companies in mergers and acquisitions.
- Compliance: CMS Germany has also made a name for itself in the area of compliance. The firm provides valuable support in complying with legal requirements and implementing compliance programmes.
Recommendations for CMS Germany have increased steadily in recent years in various practice areas, including employment law, corporate law and compliance. In the overall ranking of top 100 law firms, CMS Germany continues to hold first place.
Best Lawyers Special ‑ Germany's best law firm 2024
CMS Germany was honoured as the law firm of the year in the practice areas of
- energy law
- IT law
In addition, we were named in 19 other practice areas for our expertise and outstanding performance:
Labour law, banking and finance law, construction law, energy law, mergers and acquisitions, corporate law, intellectual property law, real estate law, IT law, antitrust and competition law, dispute resolution, media and copyright law, public commercial law, pharmaceutical law, private equity, restructuring and insolvency law, arbitration/dispute resolution/mediation, tax law, insurance law
PMN Awards 2024 - 1st place in the Legal Tech category
With NOXTUA, the first European legal AI with its own language model, the law firm CMS has found an innovative answer to the challenges of artificial intelligence. Instead of replacing lawyers, NOXTUA supports them in time-consuming tasks and creates scope for creative, strategic solutions. In doing so, CMS is setting a new standard in legal tech and showing how technology can be profitably integrated into the future of the legal system.
PMN Awards 2024 - 1st place in the ESG category
The Chancery Lane project, initiated by CMS and other law firms, offers a legal toolkit to support companies and society in the fight against climate change. This international pro bono initiative unites law firms from 37 countries and aims to pool knowledge and resources to promote sustainable solutions. CMS successfully brought the project to Germany in 2022 to specifically address industries with a high carbon footprint. This joint effort is an impressive example of how the legal industry can make a positive contribution for future generations.
JUVE Awards 2023 – Law Firm of the Year for Antitrust
CMS was awarded the "Law Firm of the Year for Antitrust Law" at the 2023 JUVE Awards. The justification for the award, presented in the JUVE laudation, was that CMS has sustainably developed its antitrust practice and impressed with outstanding mandates. The firm demonstrated its strength in distribution antitrust law particularly clearly in disputes with retailers. Furthermore, CMS is well positioned for investment controls, and its "partnership, well-versed in European law, shone in delicate large-scale projects."
Azur Awards 2023
The legal sector’s most prestigious awards for employers were presented at the azur ceremony held on 9 March 2023, with CMS picking up awards as Top Employer and in the Career Promotion category.
The Top Employer category covers new hires, satisfaction, image and salary.
CMS offers real opportunities for young professionals with up to 100 jobs per year, comprehensive training concepts and new working models that support up to 50 % mobile working.
CMS is constantly improving its offer for young lawyers. Even trainee lawyers praised the "deep client insight". The fact that many stayed on after graduation is further proof of the company's efforts to train and promote young talents.
The Career Promotion category recognises sustained success around career planning, career steps and advancement models. The focus is on promoting personal and professional development, for example through training, coaching, secondments, assignment to up-and-coming legal areas, and supporting business cases.
Mergermarket 2022
CMS Germany was recognised as “Germany Legal Adviser of the Year” at this year’s Mergermarket European M&A Awards in London.
CMS’s M&A practice has long held a leading position in the M&A league tables, and handled a number of high-profile national and cross-border deals in the past year. CMS worked on a series of market-moving transactions.
JUVE Awards 2022 – Law Firm of the Year
CMS Germany has raised its profile at the top of the market by winning the JUVE award as Law Firm of the Year for 2021/2022. The JUVE editorial board highlighted the fact that CMS brings together over a dozen market-leading practices, citing the law firm’s regulatory experts and the large teams covering employment, media and IT law. JUVE added that the teams have made information and data management into an art form, they predict trends and respond rapidly to new market situations. The strong corporate practice was praised as advancing into territory occupied by other top law firms; it now has a proven ability to get deals worth billions over the line.
In this context, JUVE made particular reference to the successful generation of Corporate partners aged between 40 and 50. This marked a triumphant end to the eleven-year term of Managing Partner Hubertus Kolster, the JUVE team concluded.
Source: Juve Awards 2022, 31.10.2022, https://juveawards.juve-veranstaltungen.de/preistraeger-2022/kanzlei-des-jahres/
JUVE Awards 2022 – Law Firm of the Year for Dispute Resolution
In awarding CMS the accolade of Law Firm of the Year for Dispute Resolution, JUVE described CMS’s litigation practice as a top-flight dispute handler when it comes to addressing the major crises of our time. JUVE attributed the team’s achievements to a far-sighted development strategy.
Opening an office in Hong Kong boosted work undertaken for Asian clients, while the firm has equipped itself for dealing with technology-aided class action lawsuits by setting up a specialist team. JUVE praised the fact that here again, younger partners are stepping up, thereby underlining the sustainability of the firm’s success.
Source: Juve Awards 2022, 31.10.2022, https://juveawards.juve-veranstaltungen.de/preistraeger-2022/kanzlei-des-jahres-fuer-dispute-resolution/
JUVE Awards 2022 – Law Firm of the Year for Regulation
Among several reasons given by JUVE for naming CMS as Law Firm of the Year for Regulation, it cited the fact that the practice has built up a leading position in the energy sector over the years. JUVE’s editorial board added that this position is benefiting clients against the backdrop of a boom in renewable energy. The firm’s well-connected staff also mean it is extremely well placed to cope with the dynamic changes affecting regulated industries, thereby winning over clients that include the German federal government.
JUVE went on to say that the practice is going head-to-head with the current market leaders, in a reference to the multi-billion KfW loan to Gazprom Germania on which CMS teams for corporate, insolvency and energy law advised.
Source: Juve Awards 2022, 31.10.2022, https://juveawards.juve-veranstaltungen.de/preistraeger-2022/kanzlei-des-jahres-fuer-regulierung/
JUVE Awards 2022 – Law Firm of the Year for Technology and Media
In recognising CMS as Law Firm of the Year for Technology and Media, JUVE highlighted the fact that the practice is positioned as a specialist for video service providers. The JUVE editorial board commended the tighter collaboration between the firm’s European offices, describing it as a smart step. The fact that the practice has a deep understanding of the regulatory framework for content providers makes it an attractive option for pan-EU instructions, JUVE went on to say. It also cited the systematic development of expertise in up-and-coming fields in the TMT practice, pointing out that CMS is just as comfortable dealing with cryptocurrencies as it is with non-fungible tokens. JUVE added that three recent partner appointments mean this success can be sustained into the future.
Source: Juve Awards 2022, 31.10.2022, https://juveawards.juve-veranstaltungen.de/preistraeger-2022/kanzlei-des-jahres-fuer-technologie-und-medien/
JUVE Awards 2022 – Law Firm of the Year for Distribution, Trade and Logistics
The headcount and breadth of expertise in the distribution law practice at CMS are reflected in the recognition of CMS as Law Firm of the Year for Distribution, Trade and Logistics. The JUVE editorial board highlighted the team’s proven ability to successfully engage with market-defining issues such as the digitalisation of commerce and e-mobility, while also responding fast to new challenges. It went on to say that the practice now regularly demonstrates it is greater than the sum of its parts by handling complex international distribution projects.
JUVE pointed to CMS’s smooth integration of different practice groups and the ever improving linkage between the firms within the international CMS network. It also praised the strong focus on specific sectors, which allows it to pick up instructions in key industries such as automotive, energy and medicine.
Source: juve.de, 31.10.2022, https://www.juve.de/juve-rankings/deutschland/kanzlei-des-jahres-vertriebsrecht/
JUVE Awards 2022 – Law Firm of the Year Region East
CMS was among the first law firms to operate in the East German federal states. In 2022, it was recognised as Law Firm of the Year Region East for its new strategy in Leipzig, where the firm is reinventing itself, buoyed by the success of the Corporate team led by Dr Jörg Lips and Dr Jochen Lux. The future of the Leipzig office is no longer about construction, real estate and insolvency law; the focus is primarily on transactions, where the firm’s size allows it to stand out from regional competitors. JUVE cited the advice CMS provided on the sale of Leipzig-based bicycle lender Nextbike to Tier Mobility and its work for cloud provider Freshbooks on the acquisition of Fastbill as pivotal in a market that often has to look on as attractive deals are handed to Berlin or Frankfurt.
In its summary, the JUVE editorial board said that lawyers of prime partner age now hold the reins in central areas and have the necessary time and backing from the wider firm to continue pursuing the chosen strategy.
Source: juve.de, 31.10.2022, https://www.juve.de/juve-rankings/deutschland/kanzlei-des-jahres-osten/
2022
Kanzleimonitor.de 2022/2023: The German Institute for Legal Departments and Corporate Lawyers (diruj) recently published its unique market overview for law firms and corporate counsel in the shape of the "kanzleimonitor.de 2022/2023" survey, which is now in its tenth year. CMS took top spot in the overall ranking for the ninth time in succession. Lawyers from more than 900 companies across Germany took part in the survey, providing around 8,000 recommendations.
The key results of the survey in relation to CMS are:
- CMS again took first place for the total number of recommendations.
- CMS offers the broadest coverage in the market, with recommendations for 31 out of 32 areas of law putting it out in front.
- CMS received the most top 5 rankings and took second place for top 3 rankings by a wide margin.
- CMS achieved top rankings for employment law, contract law (commercial) and intellectual property.
- CMS also performed particularly well in IT law, product liability and in European & international law, taking second place in these areas.
- CMS likewise stands out from the competition in finance, environmental law, litigation and insolvency law/administration, securing a podium place in each case.
- CMS is one of the strongest law firms in Europe, where it ranks ahead of its competitors in second place.
More information and an order form are available at: www.kanzleimonitor.de.
2022
Azur100, Top Employers – 2022: The editorial board of azur100 has again recognised CMS in Germany as a top employer, ranking it in second place overall. CMS received special praise from its own associates for the New Work concept and the excellent personal development opportunities.
To compile this list of the 100 best employers for young lawyers the editorial board surveyed job applicants and associates, with data on the individual law firms also being fed into the analysis.
2021
Kanzleimonitor.de 2021/2022: The German Institute for Legal Departments and Corporate Lawyers (diruj) has once again published its unique market overview for law firms and corporate counsel in the shape of the "kanzleimonitor.de 2021/2022" survey, which is now in its ninth year. CMS extended its lead yet again, taking top spot in the overall ranking for the eighth time in succession. Lawyers from around 900 companies throughout Germany took part in the latest survey, providing a total of more than 7,600 recommendations.
The key results of the survey in relation to CMS are:
- CMS again took first place for the total number of recommendations, further extending its lead.
- CMS offers the broadest coverage in the legal services market, taking top spot with recommendations for 31 out of 32 areas of law.
- CMS received by far the highest number of top 3 and top 5 places in the market, signifi-cantly outperforming its competitors.
- CMS took a podium place in the top 3 legal areas of M&A, Corporate and Employment, including being ranked first for Employment.
- Other areas where CMS is well ahead of the competition include Intellectual Property and Commercial.
- This year CMS is again by a wide margin the law firm most frequently recommended by general counsel/heads of legal in Germany.
More information and an order form are available at www.kanzleimonitor.de.
Azur100, Top Employers – 2021: The editorial board of azur100 has again recognised CMS in Germany as a top employer, ranking it in second place overall. To compile this list of the 100 best employers for young lawyers the editorial board surveyed job applicants and associates, with data on the individual law firms also being fed into the analysis.
2020
Kanzleimonitor.de 2020/2021: The German Institute for Legal Departments and Corporate Lawyers (diruj) has once again published its unique market overview for law firms and corporate counsel in the shape of the “kanzleimonitor.de 2020/2021” survey. Lawyers from 603 companies took part in the latest survey and provided more than 5,600 recommendations. CMS took top spot in the overall ranking for the seventh time in succession.
The key results of the survey in relation to CMS are:
- CMS remains the frontrunner: the firm again took first place for the total number of recommendations.
- CMS also received special praise for the breadth of its services. It ranked first, with recommendations across 30 areas of law.
- For the first time, CMS took the lead in the Mergers & Acquisitions field, ousting Hengeler Müller from the top spot.
- CMS also ranked number one in crisis-related areas such as insolvency law, insolvency administration and contract law (commercial).
- Best-in-class: CMS won by a wide margin in all categories. The law firm received the most top 3 rankings and the most top 5 placements. With more than twice as many rankings as its nearest rival in both these categories, CMS significantly outperformed the competition.
- This year CMS is again by far the law firm most frequently recommended by general counsel/heads of legal in Germany.
More information and an order form are available at www.kanzleimonitor.de.
Azur100, Top Employers – 2020: The editorial board of azur100 has again recognised CMS in Germany as a top employer, ranking it in third place overall. To compile this list of the 100 best employers for young lawyers the editorial board surveyed job applicants and associates, with data on the individual law firms also being fed into the analysis.
Mergermarket Awards 2020: CMS has been recognised by Mergermarket for its outstanding M&A advisory work for deals in the value range of EUR 30m-EUR 1bn. The Mergermarket European M&A Awards were held in London on 4 December 2019. The prizes are awarded for creative advisory work on complex transactions.
2019
Kanzleimonitor.de 2019/2020: The German Institute for Legal Departments and Corporate Lawyers (diruj) has once again published its unique market overview for law firms and corporate counsel in the shape of the "kanzleimonitor.de 2019/2020" survey. Lawyers from 821 companies took part in the latest survey and provided a total of more than 11,500 recommendations. CMS took top spot in the overall ranking for the sixth time in succession.
The key results of the survey in relation to CMS are:
- CMS again took first place for the total number of recommendations.
- CMS is again by far the law firm most frequently recommended by general counsel/heads of legal in Germany this year.
- CMS received special praise for its broad offering: CMS is the only major law firm recommended in all 32 areas of law.
- CMS is one of the top 3 legal advisors for companies in all three size categories.
- CMS is one of the fastest growing law firms in the DAX30.
- CMS received the most top 5 rankings. With twice as many rankings as its nearest rival (Freshfields), CMS significantly outperformed its competitors.
- CMS also ranked first internationally: the international CMS organisation topped the ranking for recommendations outside Germany.
More information and an order form are available at www.kanzleimonitor.de.
Azur100, Top Employers – 2019: For the third year in a row, the editorial board of azur100 has again recognised CMS in Germany as a top employer, ranking it in second place overall. To compile this list of the 100 best employers for young lawyers, which is now in its eleventh year, the editorial board surveyed job applicants and associates, with data on the individual law firms also being fed into the analysis.
CMS was particularly praised by its associates as a “first mover on legal tech solutions” in terms of using them to deliver its own legal services, for “great development opportunities and a high degree of autonomy” and offering a “good work-life balance”.
Legal 500 Germany – Top Tier 2019: CMS Germany has again been highly rated in the latest edition of the guide. A total of 41 rankings means that CMS has more mentions than any other firm. In 13 cases, CMS is in the top tier. In addition, an unrivalled 103 lawyers are individually mentioned.
2018
| Kanzleimonitor.de 2018/2019: The German Federal Association of Corporate Lawyers (BUJ) has once again published its unique market overview for law firms and corporate counsel in the shape of the "kanzleimonitor.de 2018/2019" survey. Lawyers from 931 companies took part in the latest survey, making a total of more than 10,700 recommendations. CMS took top spot in the overall ranking for the fifth time in succession, significantly extending its lead over its competitors compared to the prior year. The key results of the survey in relation to CMS are:
More information and an order form are available at www.kanzleimonitor.de. |
| JUVE Guide, 2018/2019 Law Firm of the Year for Healthcare: The reasons cited in the new JUVE Handbook for the award include the fact that the firm’s own young lawyers are driving the recent growth in the healthcare segment, in addition to experienced partners. The market has been favourably impressed, with the law firm now reaping the rewards of its courageous strategy, the citation continued. This success is particularly apparent in the medical centre market, where CMS is now supporting several highly active investors. Advising on licence agreements is another important pillar, JUVE added. The citation went on to say: “In product liability cases, CMS benefits in proceedings at national level by having numerous offices around the country.” Clients appreciate the comprehensive range of services, with the healthcare lawyers regularly working alongside competition specialists or IT lawyers. |
| myjobfair Awards 2018: Since 2016 the myjobfair GmbH has been honoring employers, who impressed students the most during recruiting events held throughout Germany in cooperation with local universities. At the events in 2017 and 2018 students and graduates voted CMS Germany the third best employer. |
| Legal 500 Germany – Top Tier 2018: CMS Germany has again been highly rated in the latest edition of the guide. A total of 44 rankings means that CMS has more mentions than any other firm. In 16 cases, CMS is in the top tier. In addition, an unrivalled 101 lawyers are individually mentioned, including 22 listed as “leading names”. |
| Azur100, Top Employers – 2018: The editorial board of azur100 has once again recognised CMS in Germany as a top employer this year, ranking it in second place overall. To compile this list of the 100 best employers for young lawyers, which is now in its tenth year, the editorial board surveyed job applicants and associates, with data on the individual law firms also being fed into the analysis. Azur100 highlighted in particular the "very good working atmosphere", the "greater transparency" created by a unified salary structure and the "very good internal training events" for lawyers. Former trainees also rated their experience very highly, describing training as "impressive and relevant to the exam". |
| Mergermarket Awards 2018: CMS Germany has been recognised as “Germany M&A Legal Adviser of the Year” by Mergermarket at this year’s European M&A Awards. Mergermarket is an independent news agency and database for mergers and acquisitions in Europe. |
2017
| Kanzleimonitor.de 2017/2018: The German Federal Association of Corporate Lawyers (BUJ) has once again published its unique market overview for law firms and corporate counsel in the shape of the "kanzleimonitor.de 2017/2018" survey. Lawyers from a total of 930 companies took part in the latest survey and contributed more than 9,820 recommendations. CMS took top spot in the overall ranking for the fourth time in succession, maintaining its lead over the competition from the previous year. The key results of the survey in relation to CMS are:
More information and an order form are available at www.kanzleimonitor.de. |
| JUVE Guide, 2017/2018 Law Firm of the Year for Corporate Law: The reasons cited in the new JUVE Handbook for recognising CMS include the fact that major corporations have long had the law firm on their radar, partly due to its strong capability in terms of personnel. The Corporate practice has made broad-based progress and, as a result, is gradually closing the gap with the leading law firms, the editorial board added. It also highlighted the team’s growing ability to gain the trust of big company boards. [...] CMS also excels in advising international joint ventures, outperforming other leading competitors." |
| Legal 500 Germany - Top Tier 2017: A total of 42 recommendations as a law firm – of which 14 are top tier rankings – and 15 lawyers listed under "Leading names", along with 89 other recommended lawyers, demonstrate that CMS Germany again ranks extremely highly in the new edition of the guide. |
| Azur100, Top Employment - 2017: CMS in Germany has again been recognised by the editorial board of azur100 as a top employer, coming in at second place. This ranking of the 100 best employers for young lawyers considers the results of the job applicants‘ and associates‘ survey of AZUR, a career magazine for lawyers, as well as figures about new hires and remuneration. Training and continuing professional development were singled out for special praise, while the introduction of a uniform pay structure for associates was also highlighted. |
2016
| Kanzleimonitor.de 2016/2017: The German Federal Association of Corporate Lawyers (BUJ) has once again published its unique market overview for law firms and corporate counsel in the shape of the "kanzleimonitor.de 2016/2017" survey. Lawyers from a total of 827 companies took part in the latest survey and contributed more than 8,800 recommendations. CMS took top spot in the overall ranking for the third time in succession, further extending its lead over its competitors compared to the prior year. The key results of the survey in relation to CMS are:
More information and an order form are available at www.kanzleimonitor.de. |
| JUVE laudatio, 2016 awards | |
| Law Firm of the Year Employment: "This employment practice knows exactly how to use its size to innovate: the online tool CMS developed the previous year for deploying external staff, which is now used by more than just Deutsche Telekom, is now one of many, incl. a tool for looking at social criteria when downsizing. The team has built up a database through its almost unparalleled market penetration and it uses this to best advantage. The noticeable progress in legal tech is based on CMS’s typical singular approach to the business development of individual lawyers, which means the practice can afford to provide its clients with standardized, piecemeal work for oft-praised fair fees without constantly having to raise the issue of profitability, as is so often the case in other large firms. And yet, the high-flying practice still also manages to consistently raise the quality of its instructions and produce highlights. Prof. Dr. Björn Gaul’s contacts, for example, landed CMS a role advising the VW executive board in the diesel scandal. The team has thus not only underlined the management’s goal of making it onto the panels of (DAX) corporates, but also delivered a classic example of its increasingly successful approach of generating interdisciplinary work, in this case in compliance and stock corporation law." |
| Law Firm of the Year Information Technology: "The market is booming, and so are the IT practices. CMS Hasche Sigle, however, has been able to make the best use of this uptick. The firm impressed observers with its prominent clients: with its advice to the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe on the introduction of Paydirekt, it landed one of the biggest outsourcing projects in the market and proved not only that it can compete in the fintech sector, but also that it has mastered the interface between banking and corporate. Beyond this, the IT practice showed it has a finger on the pulse of the market, particularly in digitalization questions, where it developed a focus long before competitors did; the best example here is its advice to Axa on a joint venture with CompuGroup Medical on creating the new e-portal Meine Gesundheit (My Health). With its representation´of Adblocker Eyeo, CMS was also involved in one of the most high-profile proceedings in the media sector. The firm also profited from the booming demand in data protection, advising a number of well-known clients here. The firm beat out competitors in a bid to advise Ströer, an advertising giant." |
| trendence Graduate Barometer 2016: CMS Hasche Sigle has once again been ranked one of the top 10 most popular employers among junior German lawyers in the latest "trendence Graduate Barometer – German Law Edition". The survey conducted by trendence, an independent consulting and research firm for employer branding and personnel marketing, involved asking some 2,000 law students, legal trainees and qualified lawyers about their employer of choice, career plans and attitudes to current career issues. The data was then used to produce a ranking of the 100 employers most popular among young lawyers. |
| Chambers Europe - 2016: In the latest edition of the Chambers Europe guide, CMS in Germany once again achieved top rankings for Commercial Contracts, Employment, Energy: Renewables, Private Equity: Venture Capital and Transportation: Shipping Finance. In addition, CMS is now also listed in Tier 1 in the categories of TMT: Media and Transportation: Shipping Litigation. |
| Legal 500 - EMEA - Top Tier 2016: CMS in Germany again achieved excellent rankings in the latest edition of the Legal 500 EMEA Guide. The many mentions include top tier rankings in the categories of Arbitration, Employment, Information technology, Outsourcing, Trade marks, Venture capital, PPP, and Maritime and shipping. |
| Azur100, Top Employment - 2016: CMS Hasche Sigle’s special commitment to promoting young lawyers has been recognised again, with the firm taking first place in the AZUR 100 ranking for the fourth time in 2016. This ranking of the 100 best employers for young lawyers considers the results of the job applicants‘ and associates‘ survey of AZUR, a career magazine for lawyers, as well as figures about new hires and remuneration. AZUR writes: "However, CMS doesn’t just score because of the mere figures. The firm is constantly working on developing its training and career programmes and does so on a high level. Moreover, CMS is popular with applicants and associates and offers a very good starting salary. Last but not least, in particular younger CMS associates praise their firm as a ‘great employer‘." |
| Legal 500 - Germany - Top Tier 2016: CMS Germany has again achieved excellent rankings in the 2016 edition across 39 areas of law – giving it more mentions than any other firm. It was ranked in the top tier for Employment, PPP, Trademark and Competition Law, Information Technology, Outsourcing, Venture Capital, Arbitration and Marine/Shipping Law. |
| PMN Management Awards 2016: The deployment of external personnel (FPE) brings with it a number of problems. A check based purely on the paperwork is often insufficient, while an assessment of each individual case is time-consuming and expensive. CMS has developed an online browser-based solution that embeds legal issues in a wider context, rather than viewing them in isolation. The questions are based on more than 1,000 real-life cases, which enables dynamic evaluation. FPE is especially innovative in two respects. "Firstly, CMS has made further progress towards establishing a product-based approach. The solution is the work of a joint development team consisting of partners from different practice areas plus IT and marketing experts. For clients, FPE is a valuable alternative to individual advice; it's not a marketing tool. The high level of acceptance is demonstrated by the fact that a large number of clients are already using it. Secondly, CMS has successfully used this project to start aligning the firm with the new world of legal tech and is seizing the associated opportunities, rather than leaving them to alternative providers." For more information about deployment of external staff (FPE) please click here. |
2015
| Kanzleimonitor.de 2015/2016: Towards the end of 2015, the Federal Association of German In-House Lawyers (Bundesverband der Unternehmensjuristen) published "kanzleimonitor.de 2015/2016" as a unique market survey of law firms and in-house lawyers. Lawyers working in 700 German companies took part in this year’s survey and made more than 7,000 recommendations for law firms in Germany and abroad. Once again, CMS tops the overall ranking and in comparison to the previous year, has even increased the lead over its competitors. The study’s main findings with regards to CMS
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| Mergermarket M&A Awards - 2015: At this year’s "European M&A Awards" in London, financial news service Mergermarket named CMS Germany "German M&A Legal Adviser of the Year". In particular the large number of successful cross-border transactions that the firm handled with its international offices were praised at the awards ceremony, which took place in early December. |
| JUVE laudatio, 2015 awards: "The expansion strategy is paying off. The practice headed by Dr Christian Haellmigk has worked its way up to dealing with more high-profile matters. In doing so, it can rely on its established strengths, which are really coming into their own in the current market environment. Particularly noteworthy is the highly respected and very busy Hamburg-based offshore practice led by Dr Fritz Frhr. von Hammerstein and Dr Holger Kraft. New instructions include the work for Iberdrola on supply and installation contracts for an offshore wind farm which is currently at the planning stage. In other areas, too, CMS is among the beneficiaries of a highly competitive climate and is very well positioned to meet new market needs around topical issues. The firm advised on EnBW's offer to Prokon’s creditors, for example – a high-profile project with a restructuring dimension. CMS is now working more often on EnBW matters, such as the sale of shares in Baltic 2. The CMS team has also grown in terms of headcount in recent years, in part due to experienced lateral hires, and has forged stronger links to other practice areas within the firm. All of these moves have helped to make the firm a highly sought-after adviser on important regulatory issues. Instructions include representing Stadtwerke München (Munich's municipal utility company) in the redispatch proceedings before Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court. The breadth of expertise within the team also enables it to develop new and innovative areas, such as electric mobility.” | |
| Trendence - Graduate Barometer - 2015/2016: Young German lawyers have again voted CMS Hasche Sigle among the ten most popular employers in Germany. Stuttgart-based research institute trendence surveyed about 2,300 students, trainee lawyers and young fully-qualified lawyers, asking them about their employer of choice and career plans. |
| LTO Young Professionals - 2015: For the LTO Young Professionals Survey, about 3,000 young lawyers were questioned about their career goals. CMS Hasche Sigle is among the ten most popular employers of choice, receiving the LTO “Young Professionals‘ Choice 2015” award. |
| Legal 500, Top Tier - 2015: CMS Hasche Sigle again achieved excellent rankings in 2015 in areas including Employment, Information Technology, Outsourcing, Venture Capital, Arbitration and Marine/Shipping Law. |
| Chambers Europe, Leading Firm - 2015: In 2015, CMS Hasche Sigle again received a number of top rankings from Chambers Europe, e.g. in the following areas: Distribution Law, Employment, Renewable Energy, Venture Capital and Ship Financing. |
| Azur100, Top Employment - 2015: Once again, CMS Hasche Sigle tops the azur100 list. This ranking of the 100 most attractive employers for young lawyers in Germany is put together by JUVE’s career magazine azur. After 2012 and 2014, this is the third time that CMS Hasche Sigle has taken first place in the ranking. Upon awarding the prize, the jury therefore stressed that for many job applicants CMS is the ultimate employer of choice. The ranking is based on surveys conducted by azur which also show that lawyers working for CMS give above average grades for the firm’s working environment, team work and workload. Plus, associates praised their involvement in actual case work and the comprehensive training opportunities. |
2014
| Kanzleimonitor.de 2014/2015: At the end of 2014, the Federal Association of German In-House Lawyers (Bundesverband der Unternehmensjuristen) published its yearly so-called “kanzleimonitor.de 2014/201” survey. Lawyers working in altogether 578 German companies took part in this unique market survey for law firms and in-house lawyers, making more than 6,000 recommendations for 689 law firms. For the first time, the survey also covered law firms in 55 countries outside Germany. CMS once again tops the overall ranking. The study’s main findings with regards to CMS are:
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| JUVE laudatio, 2014 awards: Upon presenting the award, JUVE said: "In particular when it comes to regulatory law and advising investment funds, the banking and finance law practice of CMS has taken a great leap forward. In this context, setting up a bank for the mechanical engineering company Trumpf was certainly the moment when the entire industry took note of the capacities of CMS‘s regulatory practice. The firm’s banking lawyers also made a visible step forward with regards to working for international banks, advising them on M&A transactions and on establishing branches.” |
| Chambers Europe, Leading Firm - 2014: In 2014, CMS Hasche Sigle was again among Chambers‘ top ranked European law firms and achieved outstanding results, among others in the categories for Employment, Renewable Energies, Venture Capital as well as Asset Finance and Leasing: Shipping. |
| Azur100, Top Employment - 2014: In the 2014 azur100 ranking, azur, a career magazine for young lawyers published by JUVE in Germany, has once again named CMS Hasche Sigle as the top German employer for lawyers. This is the second time after 2012 that the firm receives this award. The azur jury in particular highlighted that, after a one year break, CMS has achieved this number one position while leaving the runner-ups far behind. Job applicants surveyed for the ranking voted CMS as the most popular law firm. Trainee lawyers particularly praised how well CMS helped them prepare for their final exams. Good grades were also awarded by CMS associates. |
| Trendence - Graduate Barometer - 2013/2014: Based on the latest Graduate Barometer (German Law Edition 2013/2014) compiled by the German research institute trendence, CMS Hasche Sigle is once again among the top ten employers for young lawyers in Germany. The trendence Graduate Barometer ist the biggest and most comprehensive survey of its kind. More than 37,000 young graduates have provided their input for the survey’s altogether four editions for business, engineering, IT and law. For the Law Edition alone, about 2,600 students, trainee lawyers and young fully-qualified lawyers were surveyed. |
2013
| Kanzleimonitor.de 2013/2014: For the “kanzleimonitor.de 2013/2014” survey of the Federal Association of German In-House Lawyers (Bundesverband der Unternehmensjuristen), in-house lawyers in 390 German companies made altogether 3,363 recommendations for 526 law firms. The “kanzleimonitor” is a unique market indicator for law firms and in-house lawyer and based on the survey, CMS Hasche Sigle and one other major firm are in a league of their own, setting themselves apart from their competition:
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| JUVE laudatio, 2013 awards: Upon presenting the award, JUVE said: "The M&A consultancy sector is changing and CMS is the law firm driving these changes forwards. CMS has long become the market leader when it comes to mid-cap deals, advising on the majority of transactions in this segment. At the same time, the firm’s market penetration is constantly increasing. Not only the overall number of deals that CMS advises on is steadily growing, the firm now also challenges the market leaders in the M&A segment.” |
| Chambers Europe, Leading Firm - 2013: In 2013, CMS Hasche Sigle was again among Chambers‘ top ranked European law firms and achieved outstanding results, among others in the categories for Employment, Banking & Finance, Insurance, Public Law, TMT and Private Equity. |
| Azur100, Top Employer - 2013: According to the 2013 azur100 ranking of top employers, CMS is again one of the most attractive employers for young lawyers in Germany. The ranking, which is each year put together by azur (a career magazine for lawyers), features the top 100 employers that offer the best career prospects for young lawyers. Based on the survey, “job applicants most appreciate the good working environment that CMS offers. This has for years been a valuable asset for the firm that is, by sheer numbers of employees, Germany‘s largest commercial law firm. CMS associates award their employer very good marks when it comes to their workload and the working environment. 'There’s a culture of reasonable working hours which is upheld by the management,' said one of the survey’s partipants, while another stressed that 'CMS has a very cooperative working environment.' ” |
| Trendence - Graduate Barometer - 2012/2013: According to the German Law Edition of the Graduate Barometer 2012/2013, CMS was able to increase its popularity with young lawyers for the third year in a row.The survey by German research institue trendence compiles rankings of the most popular employers in the fields of business, engineering, IT and law. |
2012
| JUVE Guide, 2012/2013: “CMS’s Dusseldorf office has reached a new level of success by working tirelessly and without making a big fuss about it. (...) Other market players are in agreement that this positive development will be a lasting one since the improvement in quality is largely also the result of an overall tighter management within CMS as such.” |
| Azur100, Top Employer 2012: Number one in the 2012 azur100 ranking of top German employers: “It is remarkable how much praise CMS received from young lawyers in the associates as well as job applicants survey. Many have a very good impression of the firm as an employer and could imagine working there.” |
2011
| JUVE Guide, 2011/2012: “As early as no other competitor CMS Hasche Sigle focused on the digitisation of the media. The firm’s media practice played a key role in many landmark cases hat influenced the future of the industry and thereby positioned itself as a strategic advisor. CMS and media digitisation are inextricably linked.” |
| JUVE Guide, 2011/2012: “CMS that traditionally provides a wide range of services in this field and has become one of the leading firms for succession planning and foundations now also strives for higher specialisation.” “No competitor comes close to having so many partners with such close connections to the owners of family-run businesses (...).“ “(...) CMS has a very distinguished profile when it comes to succession planning.” “(...) leading law firm in Hamburg that has in more than one way made a significant leap forward.” “The M&A practice in particular has received a considerable boost and made headlines (...). This is reflected by market reactions and the practice garnering noticeably more praise this year.” |
| Chambers Europe, Leading Firm - 2011: Chambers, the renowned British publisher of law firm guides, has awarded CMS Hasche Sigle with the Chambers Europe Award for Excellence in the category “Germany – Client Service Law Firm of the Year”. |
| Mergermarket M&A Awards - 2011: For the second time in a row, Acquisitions Monthly has named CMS “Mid-Market Legal Advisor of the Year”. Thus, the Thomson Reuters published M&A magazine has once again acknowledged the work of the international CMS network when it comes to M&A transactions with a volume of up to $500 million. |
| Azur100, Top Employer 2011: “Despite the economic downturn, CMS Hasche Sigle is improving its position and there’s a visible commitment to interns and trainee lawyers in order to attract young talent as early as possible.” For the fifth time, career magazine azur has surveyed young lawyers and collected information on how attractive individual law firms, legal departments and government authorities are as employers. Altogether, 200 companies are assessed and for the rating, five factors are taken into account: How attractive is the respective company as an employer for trainee lawyers, for young professionals as well as for experienced lawyers; furthermore, salary and number of new hires are used as benchmarks. |
| trendence Graduate Barometer 2011: Based on the German Law Edition of the Graduate Barometer 2011, CMS Hasche Sigle is again one of Germany’s most popular employers. The Graduate Barometer is the biggest survey of its kind and provides university graduates with a detailed overview of the German market. The survey is conducted for four different sectors (business, engineering, IT, law), and for the Law Edition about 2,500 participants were questioned. |
2010
| JUVE Guide, 2010/2011: “CMS is continuously enlarging its client portfolio, no matter if it’s regarding banks, funds or holders of real estate portfolios.” “(...) the team which provides a consistent quality across its members has also grown in numbers (...).” “With a view to the impending wave of refinancing transactions CMS should be very well equipped for the future, given the restructuring and financing work it has done in the past.” “Year after year, CMS impresses us: with a high number of specialised professionals, a trememdous track record and the ability to put its full service approach to the best possible use.” “(...) building up an international commercial practice (...).” |
| Mergermarket M&A Awards - 2010: CMS named “Mid-Market Legal Advisor of the Year”: In January 2010, Thomson Reuters published M&A magazine Acquisitions Monthly has named CMS “Mid-Market Legal Advisor of the Year” for transactions with a volume of up to $500 Million. The international CMS network had already received an award in the same category from the Financial Times and Mergermarket in a joint awards academy at the end of 2009. Both these coveted awards are in a line with the firm’s top ranks in the Mergermarket, Thomson Reuters and Bloomberg European-wide M&A rankings where CMS is at number one seven times and once at number two, based on the number of Transactions. |
| JUVE Guide, 2010/2011: CMS Hasche Sigle achieved top ranks in a number of sectors: Corporate Law/M&A, Employment Law, IT, Maritime/Transport Law & Logistics, Dispute Resolution, Public Law and Construction. |
| Chambers Europe, Leading Firm - 2010: In 2010, CMS Hasche Sigle was again among Chambers‘ top ranked European law firms and ahieved outstanding results in the categories for Banking & Finance, Dispute Resolution, Employment Law, Energy Law, Insurance Law, Public Private Partnership and Public Law. |
| Deutsche unquote" - 2010: CMS Hasche Sigle named “Law Firm of the Year 2010” at Private Equity Awards presented by Deutsche unquote” Magazine: The jury based its decision on the fact that CMS Hasche Sigle “had taken on an outstanding role in an extremely difficult market environment. As well as being one of the most active advisors for transactions between July 2009 and June 2010, it continued to be highly recommended by market players. Statements such as 'When it comes to transactions, CMS goes the extra mile' and 'CMS frequently provides valuable commercial knowledge' make the firm a worthy winner.” | |
| Azur100, Top Employer 2010: CMS doesn’t economise when it comes to training its associates. While past azur100 rankings have shown that CMS was somewhat lagging behind in the eyes of some of the lawyers surveyed, the firm has considerably increased its efforts in this field with CMS now being praised for its “comprehensive training programme” in the 2009 survey conducted by career magazine azur. Apart from the training provided by the different CMS departments on a national and international level, the firm has also extended an existing training programme and cooperation with the IMD Business School Lausanne to include the associate level. So far, these intensive training sessions intended to hone participants‘ presentations technique and focusing on team work and entrepreneurial skills had only been available for partners. Now, CMS lawyers will attend these sessions from their second year of employment onwards and meet with their international CMS colleagues, thereby also fostering intercultural exchange. CMS also offers part-time options for partners. The fact that two female and one male partner divide one partnership between them shows that for CMS equality does not merely exist on paper but is a value that the firm is committed to. |
2009
| Mergermarket M&A Awards - 2010: CMS “European Mid-Market Advisor of the Year 2009”: The Financial Times and Mergermarket, a mergers and acquisitions intelligence service, named CMS “European Mid-Market Advisor of the Year 2009” for the firm’s work on transactions with a volume of up to $500 million. At the annual European M&A Awards in London, the organisers in particular praised the high number of successful and innovative cross-border transactions that CMS’s corporate law practice group has advised on. |
| European Award 2009: The Lawyer, a UK trade publication, has presented CMS Hasche Sigle with the accolade “European Award Law Firm of the Year – Germany“. The prize was awarded for the first time this year and in its statement, the jury said that CMS Hasche Sigle has had an impressive year, with the practice group Corporate Law/Transactions, one of the biggest in the industry, once again showing what it’s capable of. CMS was described as a successful law firm “in full flight and going places.“ The jury also higlighted CMS Hasche Sigle’s work with Chinese clients and the appointment of its managing partner to the chair of the international CMS network. |
| Chambers Europe, Leading Firm - 2009: In 2009, CMS Hasche Sigle was again among Chambers‘ top ranked European law firms and achieved outstanding results in the categories for Dispute Resolution, Employment Law, Banking and Finance, Energy Law, Insurance Law, Intellectual Property and Private Equity. |
| Azur100, Top Employer 2009: CMS Hasche Sigle is one of Germany’s most successful law firms and the country’s second biggest. It advises on almost all matters of commercial law, with CMS lawyers providing high quality advisory work which is not least acknowledged by many of its competitors. |
| At the moment, CMS is working hard on giving its internal training programme a more international spin. Part of this is a cooperation with the IDM Business School in Lausanne that was set up four years ago as a training offer for CMS Partners. | |
| Trainee lawyers can benefit from the variety that the firm offers: CMS has eight German offices plus a Brussels branch. The firm offers up to 150 places for trainees over the course of the year. | |
| trendence Graduate Barometer 2009: According to the German Law Edition of the Graduate Barometer 2009 CMS Hasche Sigle is once again among Germany’s most popular employers. The Graduate Barometer is the biggests and most comprehensive survey of its kind and provides university graduates with a detailed overview of the German market. Surveys are conducted for four sectors – business, engineering, IT and law – with altogether 20,000 participants. |
2008
| JUVE Guide, 2008/2009: “The Munich office is stronger than ever.” “(...) Transcations such as (....) have shown how strong the office has become.“ “(...) ambitious corporate practice (...)” “The office has long had an excellent reputation for arbitration.” “With its broad and deep roots in the local (Munich) market, CMS is on a direct way to gaining even more top clients.” |
| ACQ Country Law Award 2008: ACQ Finance Magazine has named CMS Hasche Sigle law firm of the year for employment law in Germany. The “ACQ Country Law Award” acknowledges CMS Hasche Sigle’s “outstanding performance” over the past twelve months that have turned the firm into a leader in Germany among the law firms that were nominated for the award. The winners are selected based on independent surveys among experts for the respective areas of law as well as on the input provided by in-house lawyers and corporate lawyers. |
| Chambers Europe, Leading Firm - 2008: In 2008, CMS was among Chambers‘ top ranked European law firms and achieved outstanding results in the categories for Energy Law, Restructuring and Insolvency as well as Technology, Media and Telecommunications. |
| trendence Graduate Barometer 2008: According to the German Law Edition of the 2008 Graduate Barometer survey, CMS is among the ten most popular employers. Once again, the survey of more than 2,000 law students, trainee as well as fully-qualified lawyers puts CMS Hasche Sigle among Germany’s top employers. |
2007
| JUVE Guide, 2007/2008: “The dynamic approach and excellent reputation in the market have last year led to a number of prominent new clients.” “CMS Hasche Sigle’s sports law practice was more successful than ever and made the leap among the top five law firms in this field.” “The firm has recently been among the trailblazers when it comes to the relation between sports and digitised media.” “(...) combination of acknowledged know-how and attractive pricing (...)” “CMS manages what only very few law firms achieve: the balancing act between representing clients at court and business consultancy.” |
| trendence Graduate Barometer 2007: According to the German Law Edition of the Graduate Barometer 2007, Hasche Sigle is among the ten most popular employers in Germany. Altogther, 1,359 law students, trainee as well as fully-qualified lawyers took part in the survey. |
2006
| JUVE Guide, 2006/2007: “CMS leads the market in the mid-cap segment. However, it has also established a strong standing with big German and increasingly international companies.” “The clients are delighted (...)” “A leading film and entertainment practice” “(...) shows that CMS’s media practice has by now become part of a small circle of firms that companies like to consult when it comes to the very latest media topics', as one client stressed.” “One of the leading firms for distribution law (...)” “Time and again, CMS Hasche Sigle surprises with work that many a competitor fails to deliver.” |
2005
| JUVE Guide, 2005/2006: “CMS Hasche Sigle continues to be a phenomenon in the German market.” “Competitors acknowledge that the firm is 'extremely well-positioned' in all major urban centres in Germany.” “International cooperation between CMS offices is regarded to be very good, too.” “Frequently recommended insurance law practice (...).” “Long-standing experience in life insurcances, transport and shipping law as well as in arbitration.” “ 'Great overall impression', 'good career options, pleasant cooperation', as well as 'good working environment and reasonable working hours' are just some of the reasons why associates and job applicants name CMS as their law firm of choice.” |
2004
| JUVE Guide, 2004/2005: “CMS Berlin’s impressive list of clients is growing steadily, proving that even a mid-sized office can advise on remarkable national and international transactions.” “(...) the office strikes the right balance between its Berlin roots and being relevant in the whole country as well as internationally.” |
2003
| JUVE Guide, 2003/2004: “CMS Hasche Sigle’s employment law practice is not only frequently recommended by clients but also often regarded as a phenomeon by the firm’s competitors.” “In the recent past, CMS Hasche Sigle’s energy law practice was involved in almost every major issue regarding the energy law market.” “The client portofolio is as impressive as the range of industry matters advised on.” “A leading law firm for arbitration and litigation.” |
2002
| JUVE Guide, 2002/2003: “The firm’s rise in this area is all the more remarkable considering that CMS Hasche Sigle is one of the few market leaders for buyouts that refuses to advise parallel bidders.” “CMS Hasche Sigle has one of the biggest practices in the market (...) and because of the exclusive cooperation with BC Partners, the firm is – at one stage or the other – involved in almost every major German transaction.” “(...) While some other firms have had to put up with consolidating their telecommunications departments last year, CMS was actually able to expand its practice.” “Last year, CMS Hasche Sigle received a notably high amount of client recommendations and, not least thanks to the firm’s well respected management team, it is well positioned in the market and equipped with very promising practices.” |
2001
| JUVE Guide, 2001/2002: “It would be a surprise if this team didn’t evolve to become the undisputed market leader.” “CMS Hasche Sigle is one of only a few big law firms with a dedicated team of specialists for the maritime sector whose standing within the firm is more than settled now after some prominent experts have joined the practice.” |
