Top Ranked by Chambers and Partners 2024

We are once again ranked as a Band 1 Leading Firm for Children: Cross-Border Disputes and as a Leading Firm for Family/Matrimonial Law and Children: Public Law Matters.

An interviewee calls the firm “innovative and they have huge strength across the board.” “Dawson Cornwell has a team of highly experienced lawyers with a wide breadth of experience and a multitude of skills” a respondent notes. One client also states, “Dawson Cornwell is client-oriented, focused, and able to adapt the work they do to the needs of the clients”. We are known as a well-respected family law boutique firm, particularly well regarded for cross-border work. We are a preeminent firm for international disputes concerning children, including leave to remove and international abduction cases relating to jurisdictions around the world, and the team has expertise in cross-border matters relating to surrogacy and adoption agreements. We also advise on contentious, high-value divorces, with dedicated departments operating for each area. Renowned for housing a collection of leading experts in cross-border issues, our international expertise is complemented by a strong offering of dual-qualified solicitors. We also have a very strong public children law practice, representing parents in care proceedings, with expertise in very complex and sensitive cases involving serious illness, mental health needs and criminal allegations.

We have 9 lawyers recognised in the directory.

For Children: Cross-Border Disputes Carolina Marín Pedreño is described as “hugely experienced in the field” who “has a very good strategic mind. She knows the law inside out and back to front and she is very good with clients” y Amy Rowe who is “a formidable lawyer, particularly on international children’s issues. She is extremely knowledgeable and an absolute go-to”. Both are ranked in Band 1. Ranked in Band 2 are Sulema Jahangir who is described as being “probably the most experienced person in the country in stranded spouse cases and forced marriages” y Hilka Hollmann whose “work ethic is legendary and she has particular strength in international adoption and surrogacy.” Forum Shah is recognised as an Associate to Watch and “is a star in the making. She knows international work inside out and she is always looking to ensure that the case is the best it can be.”

For Children: Public Law Matters Hilka Hollmann is ranked again as a Leading Individual described as “tenacious, focused and determined” and Charlotte Image-Flower is ranked as a Star Associate who “shows quite remarkable insight into the nuances of a case” y is “utterly dedicated to her clients and their lives“.

For Family/Matrimonial: High Net Worth Russell Bywater who is described as “exceedingly knowledgeable and tactically astute” y Jessica Reid who is “particularly adept at complex litigation and pre-nuptial agreements” are ranked as Leading Individuals. For Family/Matrimonial: Ultra High Net Worth Simon Bruce who “has incredible energy that he brings to his cases – he’s dynamic and incredibly committed to his clients” is ranked as a Senior Statesperson.

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