The 2025 Edition of the Legal 500 EMEA Guide has been released. We are pleased to announce that CMS Luxembourg has been ranked Tier 2 and Tier 3 across nine practices.
We would like to thank our clients in particular for entrusting us with their legal matters.
Banking, Finance and Capital markets | Tier 3
Acting on its own as well as often alongside other offices throughout the firm’s international network, the ‘approachable, technical and highly responsive’ team at CMS is well-versed at advising on the Luxembourg aspects of cross-border new money and refinancing transactions. Much of the work is fund-driven, with ’business and solutions-oriented‘ team head Vivian Walry noted, in particular, for his expertise advising asset managers on the financing to facilitate their downstream investment activity, including within the real estate space. On the regulatory front, Aurélia Viémont is ’flexible and adaptive’, traits which are extremely important for fintech start-ups, which account for some of her client base.
Recognised lawyers
Commercial, Corporate and M&A | Tier 3
The ‘very responsive’ team at CMS delivers ’high-quality advice’ to clients across the full spectrum of services required for structuring transactions through Luxembourg, including on restructurings, joint ventures and M&A mandates. Under the leadership of Gérard Maîtrejean, the team has developed a particularly vital offering advising financial sponsors on their cross-border investments and exits, adding a strong degree of continuity by virtue of its ability to work alongside lawyers from across the firm’s international network. Pawel Hermelinski is ‘knowledgeable, very professional and provides hands on advice’ to private equity firms on M&A and joint venture transactions, as well as on the structuring and restructuring of corporate groups.
Recognised lawyers
Dispute Resolution | Tier 2
Galvanised by the arrival in June 2024 of former head of litigation at NautaDutilh Antoine Laniez (and three other litigators), CMS' disputes team now has the critical mass and expertise to handle a significant range and volume of commercial disputes. As well as bringing over a number of ongoing mandates from his time at his previous firm, the 'clever and hardworking' Laniez has also already successfully leveraged the firm's strong roster of institutional funds clients to good effect on the litigation front. The 'responsive and efficient' team is also well-placed to advise on complex cross-border mandates by virtue of the firm's wider international footprint.
Recognised Lawyers
Next Generation Partner
Employment | Tier 3
The 'friendly and approachable' team at CMS provides 'practical advice' to employers on their HR requirements, as well as on larger ad-hoc advisory matters, including in the context of mass redundancy exercises. 'Responsive' team head Hugo Arellano provides 'sensible advice', both in a contentious and non-contentious setting, including to a considerable number of asset management clients.
Recognised Lawyers
FinTech | Tier 2
Leveraging its regulatory, banking and funds prowess, the 'highly responsive and knowledgeable' team at CMS is 'adept at navigating the complexities of the regulatory landscape', and has developed a strong reputation for start-ups, banks and well-established fintech companies across the full spectrum of their work throughout their lifecycle. With a 'clear grasp of regulations' in the ever-evolving area, Aurélia Viémont is a popular choice among clients seeking robust and actionable legal strategies across a range of complex fintech projects. A member of various working groups, Viemont is highly attuned to developments in the payments and crypto space in particular, and is often sought out by clients seeking the necessary regulatory authorisations, as well as on ongoing operational matters.
Recognised Lawyers
Insurance | Tier 2
Drawing from the firm's broader finance, regulatory and funds practice areas, CMS' cross-practice insurance offering handles a mix of day-to-day regulatory issues, products-related advice and general corporate work, as well as advising on standalone bespoke projects, including multi-jurisdictional matters involving interaction with other firmwide offices. Vivian Walry has expertise advising banks on the regulatory aspects of marketing insurance products. He co-heads the team alongside Benjamin Bada and Aurélia Viémont.
Recognised Lawyers
Next Generation Partner
Investment Funds | Tier 2
The 'pragmatic and knowledgeable' team at CMS provides 'client-oriented and cost-effective' advice to fund managers and institutional investors across a wide range of alternative asset classes, often making very effective use of the firm's wider global network. Team head Aurélien Hollard is key to the firm's success, providing 'very client focused and solutions-oriented' advice, including in the context of ESG/impact investing funds. Drawing upon a 'great knowledge of and experience with the fund industry and its regulation', Benjamin Bada has an excellent perspective on the buy and sell side, and a 'good overview of complex structures', including in the private equity and venture capital sector.
Recognised Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Private Equity | Tier 2
Deploying a multi-disciplinary approach to work in the sector, CMS utilises the expertise of corporate and funds lawyers to provide a 'very reactive and professional' service on behalf of a strong and growing roster of private equity sponsor clients. While it does generate some of its own work, many of the instructions flow from other offices at the firm, with the CEE region a particularly fertile source. Key practitioners include head of corporate Gérard Maîtrejean and Pawel Hermelinski, who both handle private equity-related M&A and JV transactions.
Recognised Lawyers
Tax | Tier 2
With 'a nuanced understanding of market trends, regulations, and challenges', CMS excels in providing 'cutting-edge innovation and a personal, client-focused approach' to an investment management-focused client base that includes private equity firms, family offices and real estate funds. Much of the work is of a cross-border nature, where the team is particularly well-positioned to advise by virtue not only of its knowledge of international tax laws but also its collaborative approach with global offices at the firm. 'Brilliant' team head Frédéric Feyten 'thinks out of the box and always provides tailored suited advice'.
Recognised Lawyers
You can view all our rankings, work highlights, key clients and more on the Legal 500 guide's website.
