Ogier legal experts recognised in Legal 500 2025 rankings

In Jersey, the firm has been ranked top tier across eight core services, with 28 ranked individuals and another 10 recognised as key lawyers. In Guernsey, the firm has been designated top tier rankings across seven of its core services, with the directory also singling out 27 lawyers, two of which are new leading partner or associate rankings, and two of which are new additions to key lawyer status.

In addition, the rankings also recommend a number of Ogier’s offshore law specialists in London, including Bruce Scott (Leading Partner), Nkechi Hokstad (Leading Associate), Jeremy Snead (Key Lawyer), Richard Bennett (Key Lawyer) and Ewelina Clyde Smith (Key Lawyer) – meaning that a total of 70 Ogier lawyers are included in the rankings.

Partner in Guernsey Christopher Jones (pictured) said: “Our practice in Guernsey continues to go from strength to strength as we see increased recognition across our individuals and services lines. Our range of depth and expertise is evidenced by client feedback and demonstrated by our position as market leaders in so many areas. I am very proud of the team.”

Jersey practice partner Raulin Amy added: “I’m extremely proud of our team in Jersey. It’s fantastic to see their commitment to clients and hard work not only recognised by Legal 500, but also our clients, who have provided outstanding feedback. Congratulations to the team on another set of excellent results.”

In Guernsey, those recognised are:

• In Banking and Finance, Christopher Jones is ranked as a leading partner, with Paul Chanter named a next generation partner, and managing associate Matthew Macfarlane recommended as a key lawyer.
• In Corporate and M&A, Bryon Rees is ranked as a leading partner. Managing associate Michelle Watson Bunn is named as a key lawyer alongside James Walsh, Diana Collas and Gabrielle Payne.
• Insurance practice has seen its reputation enhanced from ‘firm to watch’ to ‘top tier’, with partner Richard Sharp ranked as a leading individual. Michelle Watson Bunn, James Walsh and Gabrielle Payne are also listed as key lawyers in this area.
• Bryon Rees is also ranked as a leading individual in Ogier’s Investment Funds team. It also includes Tim Clipstone, who has been awarded a new leading partner rank. As well as further recognition for Michelle Watson Bunn and Gabrielle Payne, consultant Michaela Jesson is also named as a key lawyer.
• Bryon Rees, Tim Clipstone, Richard Sharp and Paul Chanter also head up the Capital Markets team, with Diana Collas recognised as a recommended individual.
• In Dispute Resolution, partner Mathew Newman is ranked as a leading partner, while the team’s co-head, Simon Davies, is ranked in the Hall of Fame.
• Bryan De Verneuil Smith is a next generation partner, while partner Sandie Lyne and consultant Julia Schaefer, a new entry having joined Ogier in April 2024, are named as key lawyers.
• Rachel De Sanges, who heads up Ogier’s Employment team, is ranked as a next generation partner. Also part of Rachel’s team, director of Local Legal Services Helen Ruelle enters the Guernsey rankings as a key lawyer, having expanded her practice across the Channel Islands.
• In Private Client, Trusts and Tax, Matt Guthrie is ranked as a leading partner. Partner Gavin Ferguson is ranked in the Hall of Fame and Catherine Moore is recognised as a next generation partner. Chris Hards is named as a key lawyer along with a new entry into the rankings, managing associate Sophie Denman.
• In Commercial Property, partner Martyn Baudains is ranked in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame. Senior associates Piers Dereham and Martín Casas have both had their statuses enhanced from rising stars to leading associates. Counsel Jonathan Anderson is named as a key lawyer.

In Jersey those recognised are:

• For Banking and Finance, ranked individuals include Katrina Edge and Bruce MacNeil, who are both named as leading partners, and Kate McCaffrey, a next generation partner. Jennifer Cox, Nomfundo Skosana and Kamogelo Sono are noted as key lawyers.
• For capital markets, Raulin Amy and Bruce MacNeil are named leading partners, and Alexander Curry is recognised as a next generation partner.
• For commercial property, Jonathan Hughes and Katharine Marshall are named leading partners, with a leading associate ranking for Sarah Parish and recognition for Laura Shirreffs as a key lawyer.
• For corporate and commercial, Raulin Amy is recognised in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame, with leading partner rankings for Simon Dinning, Matthew Shaxson and Richard Daggett. Alexander Curry and Oliver Richardson are named next generation partners and Amy Garrod is recognised as a leading associate. James Fox and Gigi McLellan are recognised as key lawyers.
• In Dispute Resolution, Nick Williams and Damian Evans are ranked as leading partners from the Dispute Resolution team. Oliver Passmore, James Angus and Rebecca McNulty are named next generation partners. Matthew Davies is noted as a key lawyer.
• Ranked for regulatory and white-collar crime, Ogier’s team is led by Matthew Shaxson and Nick Williams, and Tom Hall is noted as a key lawyer.
• For employment, clients praised Ogier’s seamless service provision. Helen Ruelle is in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame and Will Austin-Vautier is ranked a leading associate.
• From Ogier’s Investment Funds team, Emily Haithwaite is recognised in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame, Niamh Lalor is ranked a leading partner, Sophie Reguengo and Matt McManus are named next generation partners, and Alexandra O’Grady is ranked a leading associate.
• In the private client, trusts and tax team, James Campbell is named a leading partner, and Josephine Howe and Katherine Neal named next generation partners. Henry Wickham and Richard Laignel are also named key lawyers.