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Global Reach
Global Reach

Apart from offering expert legal consultancy for local jurisdictions, CMS partners up with you to effectively navigate the complexities of global business and legal environments.

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Insights – United Kingdom
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Expertise
Insights
Insights

CMS lawyers can provide future-facing advice for your business across a variety of specialisms and industries, worldwide.

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Offices
Global Reach
Global Reach

Apart from offering expert legal consultancy for local jurisdictions, CMS partners up with you to effectively navigate the complexities of global business and legal environments.

Explore our reach
Insights
About CMS
UK Pay Gap Report 2024
UK Pay Gap Report 2024

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Venture Capital

One firm for everything VC

At CMS we’re all about innovation and progress – that’s why we are such a good match for VC investors and startups alike. We have boots on the ground where you need them and in addition to offices in London and Edinburgh (and 7 more cities in the UK), we are present in more than 75 cities around the world. Whether you look to invest in a start-up in Central Europe or looking to raise money from VC funds in Israel.

For VCs: fund formation, tax structuring, fund maintenance, secondaries, equity, investments, venture debt and winding-up advice.

For CVCs: tax structuring, investment transactions and associated IP licensing, distribution and other commercial agreements.

For family offices: lawyers that ‘get it’ who can deliver market knowledge and tech experience to new and regular investors in tech.

For early-and late-stage companies: fundraising at all rounds, crowdfunding, sale transactions, IPOs, patent protection, IP licensing, personal tax for founders, company tax for their groups, employee benefits, employment and regulatory advice in data, financial services, energy, insurance and other related areas.

We support investors and their portfolios on the entire fund life cycle from (i) establishing a fund (including regulatory and tax aspects), (ii) fundraising and raising leveraged finance; (iii) deploying the capital, (iv) asset / portfolio management and (v) supporting our clients on their exit (whether IPO, exit to PE or trade). 

By retaining talent through employee share schemes, securing your right to valuable intangible assets (including patents and other IP) and tax structuring we help maximise the value of your investments. 

We navigate you through regulatory and legal risks and support you on commercial contracts, regulatory compliance, employment contracts, intellectual property protection, data protection, share schemes and much more.

equIP

Our global equIP accelerator has helped hundreds of startups to grow and develop, supported by our experienced all-service team. equIP offers discounted fees, introductions to investors and other benefits. Across more than 30 jurisdictions our international equIP team support from seed rounds through to A and B rounds. The same team that helps startups fundraise and VCs invest, leads exits and acquisitions, taking the business and its investors from the beginning of a startups journey to its conclusion, building deep lasting relationships during the way.


Awards & Recognitions
01
  • Quote
    "CMS is a full-service law firm. If you are in a situation where you have time pressure, you know it will have the firepower to deliver."
    Chambers UK
  • Quote
    "They have true global reach, and are highly competent and customer focused."
    Legal 500
  • Quote
    "Many years of transaction experience available in the team, contacts throughout Europe for VC transactions, flexibility in reacting to transaction requirements."
    Legal 500

Events

  • Scenic of panorama view of sunrise skyline and cityscape with light tail on road into metropolis, Bangkok, Thailand
    United Kingdom
    24 Apr 2025

    Cross-Border Financial Services 2025 webinar series

  • United Kingdom
    07 May 2025

    On the Pulse webinar series 2025 - Spring/Summer

  • colourful circles and sectors
    United Kingdom
    29 May 2025

    CMS Scotland In-House Essentials

  • Stacks of purple gambling chips 840x420
    United Kingdom
    06 Jun 2025

    CMS Gambling Conference 2025

  • United Kingdom
    11 Jun 2025

    Power Sector: Managing Risks

  • Abstract green spirals - 840 x 420
    United Kingdom
    11 Jun 2025

    Risk Essentials: Conduct issues for in-house lawyers: new SRA guidance and beyond

  • United Kingdom
    12 Jun 2025

    Supply Chain Issues in the Food and Drink Sector

  • Game Controller
    United Kingdom
    17 Jun 2025

    Gaming Risk – Roundtable Discussion

  • Colorful donut background - 840 x 420
    United Kingdom
    25 Jun 2025

    CMS Consumer & Retail Conference - Navigating through change

  • United Kingdom
    02 Sept 2025

    In-House Essentials: Articulating value and effective reporting

  • Ink in water abstract background - 840 x 420
    United Kingdom
    22 Sept 2025

    Skills For Future Facing Teams: How to maximise your ability to deep work in a world of distraction

  • modern office building with facade of glass
    United Kingdom
    25 Sept 2025

    Digital In­fra­struc­ture & Data Centres - Key Market Trends

  • modern office building with facade of glass
    United Kingdom
    21 Oct 2025

    Residential legislative update

  • modern office building with facade of glass
    United Kingdom
    26 Nov 2025

    Reform of commercial landlord and tenant legislation for England and Scotland

Local market knowledge. Global outlook

We provide future-facing legal advice to help your organisation thrive. Combining local market knowledge and a global perspective, and with lawyers in locations worldwide, your organisation benefits from the expertise it needs, even across borders.

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