CMS Cameron McKenna is set to spin off its entire 15-lawyer immigration practice to corporate immigration specialist firm Fragomen.

The team, which will move across as of 1 October, includes Camerons' highly-rated immigration head Caron Pope, who has been a partner with CMS since joining from Reed Smith in 2007 to lead the immigration practice.

Pope (pictured), who joins Fragomens as a partner, began her career as an associate at legacy Cameron Markby Hewitt before moving to lead Norton Rose's immigration team in 1996 and later joining Reed Smith in 2002. She is currently the sole partner in CMS's City immigration group.

CMS said that following the transfer it will use Fragomen as its preferred UK provider for all immigration legal advice and related services.

CMS managing partner Duncan Weston said: "This is a mutually beneficial arrangement both for our clients requiring immigration support and for the immigration team and CMS. Fragomen has an excellent reputation for its immigration practice. We look forward to continuing to work with Caron and her team at Fragomen."

Fragomen chairman Austin Fragomen added: "Caron and her team have an excellent reputation and this expansion of our London practice demonstrates our commitment to be at the forefront of the UK's leading immigration practices. We very much look forward to providing excellent support and immigration services to the clients of CMS Cameron McKenna in the UK."

Fragomen, which almost exclusively practises immigration law, has around 1,600 staff in 36 offices throughout 15 countries. The firm's UK team comprises more than 35 solicitors, lawyers and immigration experts.