CMS Cameron McKenna: ‘We don’t play croquet’

CMS Cameron McKenna has shunned the glitzy surroundings of a country club or West End hotel to host its associate away-day, instead plumping for East London’s Hackney Empire last Friday (11 May).

The firm has eschewed venues such as the Hurlingham Club, where Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer held its inaugural away-day in March, in favour of more unusual places, such as the TUC’s congress centre, which hosted the firm’s 2005 conference.

Camerons managing partner Dick Tyler told The Lawyer: “We’re a firm of the people. We definitely don’t play croquet.”

The firm has links with the Hackney Empire through pro bono work, when it raised £40,000 to help save the theatre in an Apprentice-themed event with Sir Alan Sugar.

Last Friday centre stage was taken by the keynote speaker, Law Society president and former Camerons partner Fiona Woolf, as well as Tyler, who answered associates’ questions.

Themes such as remuneration, career paths, evaluation and corporate social responsibility were discussed.