Following CMS Cameron McKenna‘s announcement it would merge with Olswang and Nabarro, it has emerged that Camerons partners will be spared from any post-merger lock-in arrangement.
Partners within Camerons have confirmed, that unlike the firm’s 2014 Dundas & Wilson merger, they will not be subject to a lock-in. Meanwhile a partner at Nabarro said the firm will restrict departing partners for an unspecified period.
The partner said: ‘You would expect people would give thought to incentives to try and ensure everyone carries it through and give some momentum to the merger to ensure people stick around.’
In addition, a former Olswang partner told Legal Business partners from the media focused firm will be locked in until November 2017, although Olswang refused to comment on the matter.
Camerons previously imposed a two-year long lock-in on partners after taking over Dundas, although at the time senior partner Penelope Warne (pictured) said it was better described as an extended notice period to ‘bring about stability on both sides.’
The trio will operate under the CMS brand, giving Camerons revenues of around £450m in the UK. Nabarro and Olswang will join the CMS Cameron McKenna UK LLP partnership.
Other issues yet to be worked out include client conflicts, staff consolidation, office overlaps, and property arrangements.
Yesterday (11 October) it emerged the three firms are expected to move in together into CMS UK’s current Cannon Place headquarters.
Neither Camerons nor Nabarro would provide comment on any lock-in arrangements.
sarah.downey@legalease.co.uk
Read more on CMS Cameron McKenna’s last merger in: ‘The Programme – how Dundas & Wilson fits into the CMS masterplan’