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” and 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” and 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” and 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” and 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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