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Frances is Of Counsel in the Corporate Transactions group based in the CMS London office, focusing primarily on Central & Eastern Europe. Frances has over 10 years of experience at CMS advising private equity and trade clients on complex and multijurisdictional private M&A transactions across CEE and SEE, bolstered by further subsequent experience underwriting high value and large cross border deals throughout CEE, Europe and the wider international market.

Frances initially joined CMS in Prague in 2012, and after four years in a senior M&A underwriting role and Head of W&I, CEE at a global insurer focused on complex specialty lines, she joined CMS in London at the start of 2026. She has been recognised as a commercial and pragmatic legal advisor, and recommended for her expertise in cross-border transactions across the CEE region, and in her return to private practice, brings further strategic and business acumen gained in a corporate role.

Frances has developed extensive experience in private M&A across sectors including consumer and industrial manufacturing, healthcare and techology and in leading and negotiating buy-side and sell-side transactions from day 1 through to and following completion. 

Awards & Recognitions
01
  • Quote
    "Fran Gerrard is an excellent contract drafter. Through her work on various W&I insurance policies, she is able to provide pragmatic advice on seller’s rep and warranties."
    Legal 500, 2022
  • Quote
    "A 'Rising Star'."
    Legal 500, 2022
  • Quote
    "Frances Gerrard is recommended for her expertise in cross-border transactions across the CEE region and for advising on commercial matters."
    Legal 500, 2020
  • Quote
    "A 'Next Generation Partner'."
    Legal 500, 2020
  • Quote
    "A ‘Next Generation Lawyer'."
    Legal 500, 2018 and 2019
  • Quote
    "Incredibly commercial, pragmatic and responsive."
    Legal 500, 2018
  • Quote
    "A rising star in the Czech M&A market."
    Legal 500, 2017

Education

  • 2011 – Graduate Diploma in Legal Pratice (Merit), Australian National University (Supreme Court of NSW).
  • 2007 – Law LLB, Australian National University.

Insights by Frances

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