Camerons reinforces CEE with sector group shake-up

CMS Cameron McKenna has overhauled its sector groups after a summer of high-profile departures and arrivals, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

The top-15 firm announced that Warsaw-based energy partner Andrzej Blach will head the energy, projects and construction group in the CEE.

The job was previously held by Moscow-based David Griston, who joined Clifford Chance in July along with Moscow head of international banking Jared Grubb.

Blach will lead a regional team of 10 partners and 40 associates. The firm has eight different sector groups.

Meanwhile, one of Camerons' newest recruits will head the CEE hotel and leisure group. Corporate partner Daniel Bilak, who joined the new Kiev office from Ukrainian firm Sergei Koziakov & Partners two weeks ago, will take up the position.

The CEE has emerged as one of Camerons' biggest success stories and the region now contributes around £40m to a firmwide turnover of £197.4m, while referrals among the CMS network have leapt by more than 60 per cent for the second year running.

Regional head Duncan Weston said: "Our CEE business continues to grow remarkably and has doubled in size in the last two years. One of our particular strengths is how we have optimised integration of our practice groups and sector groups across both the UK and the CEE."