CMS Cameron McKenna (CMS UK) has unveiled its new practice group leadership structure as its merger with Dundas & Wilson goes live today (1 May).

Plans for the combined firm to run integrated practice groups, with each group head having a counterpart in Scotland, were first outlined in December.

All existing CMS UK practice group manager have held on to their leadership roles, while their counterparts will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the practice groups in Scotland.

Of the six practice group managers based in Scotland, five are legacy Dundas partners, while the human capital practice head in the country – Alison Woods – is a CMS UK partner.

CMS UK head of corporate Andrew Scheach will oversee the practice in the City while funds partner Colin Lawrie will lead the corporate group in Scotland.

CMS UK banking head Rita Lowe will work alongside former Dundas co-managing partner Caryn Penley, while CMS UK real estate chief Mark Heighton will lead the practice alongside fellow Dundas co-managing partner Allan Wernham.

CMS UK head of international arbitration Guy Pendell will lead the commercial, regulatory and disputes practice alongside Edinburgh partner Colin Hutton. The human capital practice will be jointly led by Simon Pilcher in London and Aberdeen-based Woods.

The energy, project and construction practice will be led by Aberdeen-based CMS UK partner Stephen Millar and Edinburgh partner Trudi Craggs.

Craggs is the only one of Dundas' four sector group heads taking up a role as practice group manager in Scotland. The Scottish firm's sector group leadership structure had also included partner Philip Mackay as head of financial services, Iain Lindsay as head of real estate and Michael McAuley as government and public sector head.

It is not clear how Dundas' government and public sector group has aligned with the new practice group structure.

The firms confirmed in December that Dundas chairman Ward would become senior partner of the Scottish operations. Meanwhile Penley joins the CMS board and has been named co-executive partner for Scotland, jointly held with Millar.

Practice group heads in full

Corporate
London – Andrew Scheach
Scotland – Colin Lawrie

Banking
London – Rita Lowe
Scotland – Caryn Penley

Real estate
London – Mark Heighton
Scotland – Allan Wernham

Commercial, regulatory and dispute resolution
London – Guy Pendell
Scotland – Colin Hutton

Human capital
London – Simon Pilcher
Scotland – Alison Woods

Energy, project and construction
London – Stephen Millar
Scotland – Trudi Craggs

• Guy Pendell is co-chair of Legal Week Commercial Litigation and Arbitration Forum, which takes place in London this November. For details click here.