Dawson Cornwell ranked as Top Tier Firm, by the Legal 500, 2023

We are ranked again as Tier 1 for family law. The Legal 500 is one of the two main industry standard directories.

We are described by the Legal 500 as a firm with a “strong and broad team and is able to put the boots on the ground in a case very quickly, deploying a wide array of talents to meet any different issues that are thrown up.” The team has a ‘stellar” reputation for its children work and is described as “leading in the field of international children work”. It also “has expertise in all area of family law”. Russell Bywater  heads the matrimonial department while Carolina Marin Pedreño leads the children department. There have been a number of significant additions to the team at a senior level. It remains “one of the best boutique family law firms’ in London”.

Four of our partners are listed in the elite “Leading Individual” list: Russell Bywater “rightly deserves his reputation as one of London’s leading family lawyers. Russell stood by me with calm, ethics and good humour. His deep expertise shines through in all aspects: -Strategic and critical thinking skills – Russell plays the long game, almost like he is a chess master, with each move not always being obvious, but building up to a crescendo. He is a master of the technical details.” Amy Rowe and Simon Bruce recently joined the team. Both have a “solid background and great reputations” and should be “excellent additions” to the team. It was also pleased to add Sarah Jane Lenihan  to its ranks who has been described as a “legal force of nature.”

Additionally partners Carolina Marín Pedreño and Jessica Reid have been named in the “Next Generation Partner” list: Carolina Marín Pedreño is “is a highly dedicated lawyer who was my solicitor for a child abduction issue. She is hardworking, professional, tactical, strategic and aims to resolve matters in a non-confrontational way. Carolina even took my messages while on vacation and her advise was always spot on. Her team is excellent.” Jessica Reid is “an outstanding member of the team! Her ability to genuinely care for her clients and her sense of empathy is what makes her stand out. She has the ability to be measured and give clarity in emotional situations. She is highly professional and knowledgeable. You can feel safe with Jessica knowing that you are being represented by one of the best there is.”

Three of our Senior Associates are singled out as “Rising Stars”: Anna Shadbolt, Amy Barrow who is “incredibly diligent and her attention to detail is very, very high. She marshals the issues in the case well and guides the client through the case, focusing the case on where the client’s case is strongest. I rate her very highly” and Forum Shah who is “a fantastic children’s lawyer. She has vast experience representing children and young people in complex proceedings within the private, public and international arena.” 

We consider that our matrimonial team holds its own against other much larger firms: Three of our lawyers are “recommended” being Partner Charlotte Conner who gives “excellent impartial advice that was realistic, not not just what I wanted to hear. Charlotte Conner was supportive, caring and went above and beyond every time” and Associates Kate Brett and Olivia Longrigg.

And our children team is renowned: “Dawson Cornwell have a reputation for being leaders in the field of child abduction and rightly so; they have a team of experienced and knowledgeable lawyers who provide a top quality service to clients.” Also “recommended” in the children team are Partner Sulema Jahangir, Senior Associate Charlotte Image-Flower, Associates Lina Khanom, Aysel Akhundova and Floriane Laruelle and Solicitor Felicia Munde.