The Citywealth International Financial Centre Awards 2020 have been announced at a ceremony in London, with Jersey taking the title of IFC of the year and Guernsey the runner-up position.
The IFC Awards are in their ninth year and were established to highlight the excellence of the advisers and managers in the private wealth sector in the major international financial centres. They are judged by a panel of highly respected practitioners from the sector, with the winners those considered to have excelled in achievement, innovation, expertise and service.
Ogier was named Jersey law firm of the year, with Mourant taking the title in Guernsey. Russell Clark of Carey Olsen’s Guernsey office was named lawyer of the year – Channel Islands & Isle of Man for the second consecutive time. Appleby received the accolade for litigation law firm of the year, while Jersey-based Dickinson Gleeson was given the trophy for boutique law firm for the third year in a row.
Commenting on his award win, Russell Clark (pictured), said: “I am flattered to have been named Crown Dependencies lawyer of the year for the second consecutive time, particularly as I was shortlisted alongside so many others. I would also like to emphasise that my individual success is only possible because I am part of a fabulous trusts and private wealth team not only in Guernsey but across the global Carey Olsen group. Similarly, I would like to thank Citywealth and the judging panel for honouring me with this award.”
Alongside their Jersey win, Ogier was also named Law Firm of the Year – Hong Kong and Singapore and Cayman based partner, Rachael Reynolds won litigator of the year. Global managing partner, Edward Mackereth, said: “We pride ourselves on working seamlessly across borders and time-zones to provide consistently excellent service to our clients, so it’s particularly pleasing to see our strengths highlighted across our Jersey and Hong Kong teams, as well as Rachael Reynolds’ world-leading talents being recognised by her peers, supported by her brilliant Cayman-based team. As we continue to move forwards as a firm it is this drive to “be extraordinary” across the board that is setting us apart.”
James Dickinson, one of the founding partners of Dickinson Gleeson, collected the award for his firm. He said: “This marks an excellent start to what is now our tenth year in operation. Our decade in practice proves that Dickinson Gleeson competes successfully with the major offshore law firms in terms of both quality of work and client service, as judged by an independent panel.”
Appleby’s win in the litigation category came alongside nominations for its practices in Bermuda, Cayman, Jersey, Isle of Man and Guernsey and it was named runner up for law firm of the year in Hong Kong and Singapore. Carlos de Serpa Pimentel, global head of Appleby’s private client and trusts department, said: “Our global presence enables us to provide comprehensive, multi-jurisdictional legal advice at the times most critical to our clients and this recognition is testament to the strength of our practices. Winning this prestigious award helps highlight the dedication and commitment from our team of experts who consistently deliver the best possible outcome for our clients.”
The Channel Island firms and individuals recognised in this year’s awards were:
Lawyer of the Year – Channel Islands & Isle of Man
Winner: Russell Clark, Carey Olsen
Shortlisted:
Kate Anderson, Voisin Law (Jersey)
Edward Bennett, Bedell Cristin (Jersey)
James Campbell, Ogier (Jersey)
Nancy Chien, Bedell Cristin (Jersey)
Russell Clark, Carey Olsen (Guernsey)
Barbara Corbett, Corbett Le Quesne (Jersey)
Matthew Jowitt, Ardent Chambers (Jersey)
Alison MacKrill, Appleby (Guernsey)
Kellyann Ozouf, Collas Crill (Jersey)
Victoria Yates, Ward Yates (Jersey)
Law Firm of the Year – Guernsey
Winner: Mourant
Runner up: Bedell Cristin
Shortlisted:
Carey Olsen
Collas Crill
Ferbrache & Farrell
Ogier
Law Firm of the Year – Jersey
Winner: Ogier
Runner up: Carey Olsen
Shortlisted:
Appleby
Bedell Cristin
Collas Crill
Mourant
Viberts
Walkers
Law Firm of the Year – Litigation
Winner: Appleby
Runner up: Walkers
Shortlisted:
Babbe
Bedell Cristin
Carey Olsen
Ferbrache & Farrell
Mourant
Ogier
Boutique Law Firm of the Year
Winner: Dickinson Gleeson (Jersey)
Runner up: Voisin Law (Jersey)
Shortlisted:
Corbett le Quesne (Jersey)
