Camerons five defect to Cadwalader

CMS Cameron McKenna partner Paul Biggs will take a team of four with him when he moves to US firm Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft in August.

Douglas Bennet, Frank O'Flynn and junior assistant Simon Norris will leave the energy and project finance department and Charlotte Rogers will leave corporate. The four make up Camerons' African projects team, led by Biggs for three years.

Their move is a boost to Cadwalader which has no dedicated African team.

Camerons energy projects manager Trevor Burcher says a number of existing projects for major client AES are likely to follow Biggs.

He adds: "But we have a strong ongoing relationship with that client. Instructions are being retained and new opportunities are arising."

The team's leaving date is still being negotiated.

l Camerons has just launched a benefits package in an effort to retain staff. The scheme includes the option of up to five days extra unpaid holiday and a concierge service to help staff balance work and home life.