CMS appoints Cornelius Brandi to post of Chairman

CMS the group of leading European law firms has elected Cornelius Brandi as its new Chairman of its Executive Committee. Brandi, the managing partner of CMS Hasche Sigle, the German member of CMS will assume his new role today, 16 June 2008.

Brandi commented: "Taking on the role of Chairman has come at a particularly exciting time for CMS. We are planning collaboration greater than before. I am looking forward in my new role to being able to further strengthen our position as the leading group of European law and tax firms."

Cornelius Brandi is taking over from the current CMS chairman Pierre-Sébastien Thill, Managing partner of the French-headquartered CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre. "During the development phase of CMS Pierre has done an outstanding job. I will be working with the partners to consolidate the good position of CMS and to undertake further developments in the market," noted Brandi.

Brandi's election was announced during the 10th CMS Partner´s Annual Meeting in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. Robert Derry-Evans, Executive Partner of CMS, commented: "So much is going on at CMS just now. All partners are keen to be involved in further promoting the amazing growth of CMS. By means of joint projects we will be able to lever additional potential in order to better exploit the unique nature of what CMS has to offer: international fully integrated advice with manifold European roots and excellent know-how.

The partners of all nine CMS firms agreed to a detailed list of plans to further accelerate the development of CMS. Further common standards, processes and procedures will be developed in the near future in accordance with an agreed set of strategic priorities.

Cornelius Brandi has been Managing Partner of CMS Hasche Sigle since 1999 and was a founding member of the Executive Committee of CMS.

The CMS organisation, to which nine CMS firms now belong, was founded in 1999. In 2007 CMS achieved a combined fee income of nearly EUR 750 million. It is thus one of the five largest organisations of law firms in Europe.

For further information, please contact:

Robert Derry-Evans, CMS Executive Partner

Tel: +49 69 71 701 500

Peter Sommer, CMS Director of Brand Marketing

Tel: + 49 69 71 701 500