Ogier in Guernsey has retained top tier rankings across five of its core services in the latest Legal 500 UK guide, including Banking and Finance, Commercial Property, Private Client, Trusts and Tax, Corporate and M&A, and Dispute Resolution.
The directory, which is a guide to leading UK and offshore law firms, has also singled out 27 lawyers for recognition, four of which are new additions to the Recommend / Key Lawyer status.
According to client feedback Ogier are "market leaders in all aspects of offshore law" and is "responsive and practical in its approach with the team, extremely engaged and proactive in offering commercial advice".
Practice partner Christopher Jones said: "We are delighted that we continue to rank as top tier in five of our core services and proud that we are recognised as market leaders. The client feedback demonstrates our range and depth of expertise across our service lines."
From the top tier Baking and Finance team, Christopher Jones is ranked as a leading individual, with Paul Chanter named a next generation partner, and managing associate Matthew Macfarlane and consultant Michaela Jesson recommended as key individuals.
In the "totally reliable" Corporate and M&A team, partner Bryon Rees is ranked as a leading individual, with key lawyers noted as partners Tim Clipstone and Richard Sharp, managing associate Michelle Watson Bunn and senior associates James Walsh and James Dickinson.
The firm was also listed as a "Firm to Watch" for Insurance, with Richard Sharp ranked as a leading individual.
Bryon Rees is ranked as a leading individual in Ogier's Investment Funds team, which is described by clients as having a "strong culture of client service, always delivering work on time and in a commercial manner to achieve results". It also includes the "excellent" Tim Clipstone, Michelle Watson Bunn and James Dickinson, all named as recommended or key individuals, as is senior associate Gabrielle Payne.
Bryon Rees and Tim Clipstone also head up the Capital Markets team, with Richard Sharp, James Walsh, Michelle Watson Bunn and senior associate Diana Collas all listed as recommended individuals.
Dispute Resolution is "a real class act – always on the ball, handling difficult technical legal questions and commercial issues with the same ease", according to the guide's client feedback. Partner Mathew Newman, ranked as a leading individual, is described as an "excellent leader of the team, very commercially astute and guides clients through the various stages of litigation in a reassuring and calm manner", while the team's co-head, Simon Davies, is ranked in the Hall of Fame. "Exceptionally easy to work with and receptive to all the issues", Bryan De Verneuil-Smith is a next generation partner, and also recommended are partners Sandie Lyne, who "has all the usual qualities that make a lawyer first-rate", and Alex Horsbrugh-Porter.
Rachel DeSanges, who heads up Employment, is ranked a next generation partner, recognition of her team being "by far the most pragmatic and knowledgeable employment law practice on the island". Senior associate Fay Warrilow, an "excellent communicator", is a key lawyer, as is Sandie Lyne.
In Private Clients, Trusts and Tax, partner Matthew Guthrie is ranked as a leading individual and described as "able to pick up on the key elements without issue and cut through to the heart of what is really important". Partner Gavin Ferguson is ranked in the Hall of Fame and Catherine Moore is recognised as a next generation partner. "Personal and efficient" managing associate Chris Hards is a key lawyer.
In Commercial Property, partner Martyn Baudains, ranked in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame, is described as "a truly excellent advisor" who "marries legal and commercial advice like no other" and "appreciates one without the other doesn't work". Senior associates Piers Dereham, described as "knowledgeable, commercially minded, thorough and responsive", and Martín Casas, who is "a useful person to have on your side to get a transaction over the line", are also ranked as rising stars. Counsel Jonathan Anderson is named as a key lawyer.