Carey Olsen has been praised for its ‘technical excellence’ in the 2020 edition of the Chambers and Partners High Net Worth (HNW) guide and continues to be ranked in more jurisdictions than any other offshore law firm.
In total, 10 of the firm’s lawyers from across its Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey offices have been recognised by Chambers, one of the world’s leading reference and ranking bodies for the legal sector.
In addition, Carey Olsen was the only law firm to achieve Band 1 status in Guernsey, where it is recognised by market commentators for the ‘strength and depth in its private client department’ and as ‘the first name we think of for trust and fiduciary providers from the private client side. We see them as the best’.
The firm’s Jersey office attained Band 2 status and is praised by sources for being ‘very thorough and always well prepared; they anticipate things before they happen’. Another source noted how ‘for HNW clients, they cover a lot of bases – they put their clients first and are very responsive’.
Russell Clark, managing partner and head of the trusts and private wealth group in Guernsey continues as a Band 1 ranked lawyer and is described as ‘one of the most well-known names in Guernsey’. Interviewees also highlight his ‘high level of expertise’ and how he is ‘very technical and very intelligent’.
Fellow Guernsey partners Konrad Friedlaender (Band 2) and Natasha Kapp (Band 3) are also ranked. Konrad is praised for his ‘superb turnaround time and responsiveness’ and acclaimed as ‘a top lawyer’. Natasha, who is ranked for the first time, is commended for her advice on ‘matters which straddle contentious and non-contentious issues’.
Another source notes how she ‘handles very substantial family trusts and is very good’. Counsel Patricia Montgomery has moved up to Band 3 in the Guernsey rankings and is ‘a very well-liked lawyer who just gets on with everyone and has great technical skills’.
Jersey’s head of the trust and private wealth practice, Siobhan Riley, is ranked in Band 2, while fellow Jersey partner Alexa Saunders has moved up to Band 3. Siobhan is highlighted for her ‘very good understanding of the family office environment’ and as someone who ‘offers very good, practical and commercial solutions’. Alexa is praised for ‘always delivering her advice when she says’, while another source says ‘she is wonderful’ and ‘does a good job’.
Commenting on the firm’s rankings, Russell commented: “We are delighted that the expertise of our teams in Guernsey and Jersey have been recognised in this excellent set of rankings which, when combined with our rankings in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, put us out in front as the leading trusts and private wealth group in the offshore legal sector. We thank our clients for providing outstanding feedback and our staff for their commitment and hard work”.
