CMS wins Best Sustainability Initiative at The Lawyer Awards 2022

 International law firm CMS has picked up the Sustainability Initiative of the Year award at The Lawyer Awards 2022. 

The firm was recognised for its partnership with Young Citizens on the creation of ‘Climate action: Using the law to drive change’. The bespoke programme aims to fill a gap in the UK educational system by developing students’ understanding and critical thinking around climate action – embedding awareness that climate action is a collective responsibility and how the law can be used to drive positive change. Launched in line with COP26, the programme has already had a significant impact and, since November 2021, has been downloaded by 271 teachers – reaching an estimated 25,650 young people.  

CMS partner Olivia Jamison and Senior Responsible Business and Social Impact Manager Emily Catterwell lead the Young Citizens Climate Education partnership. 

The programme forms part of the firm’s overall sustainability commitments, which include initiatives such as the CMS Social Impact Fund, CMS Bee programme and MyGreenerFootprint app. As the first major law firm to announce its commitment to reducing its carbon emissions to net zero by 2025 - backed by Science Based Targets, CMS aims to inspire, impact and support its clients, people and communities and blaze a trail for the industry.

CMS was also commended in the Competition & Regulatory Team of the Year category for its role advising Cadent on its successful CMA appeal of Ofgem’s decision in the “RIIO-2” gas distribution price control, in what was one of the highest profile regulatory competition instructions in the UK in recent times. CMS partners Brian Sher (Competition) and Juliet Stradling (Energy) led the CMS team on the matter.

The Lawyer Awards celebrate legal excellence across private practice, the public sector, commerce and industry, and the Bar.