Mourant, the international law firm-led professional services business, has been recognised for its expertise in trusts and private wealth law in the Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide 2024.
Chambers High Net Worth differentiates the best professional advisers for international private wealth by identifying and ranking law firms, lawyers and professional advisers in every private wealth market around the world. Its rankings are widely considered as a mark of excellence.
In the 2024 guide, the Mourant Jersey-based International Trusts and Private Client team maintained its top tier Band 1 ranking in Offshore: Trusts in Jersey. The firm's Guernsey practice achieved a Band 2 ranking in Offshore: Trusts in Guernsey.
Overall, seven Mourant lawyers from across the firm's Guernsey, Jersey, and London offices have also been recognised in the individual ranking tables.
Mourant senior partner and leading trust litigator, Jonathan Speck, is named as a Star Individual. According to Chambers, this title is awarded to lawyers with "exceptional recommendations in their field." In the guide, Jonathan is described as "well known and highly regarded in the contentious trusts world." Another observes: "He is an excellent lawyer with a great reputation in the market."
Mourant head of international trusts and private client in Jersey, Edward Devenport, maintained his top tier Band 1 ranking, and is described by a source as "a very good technical lawyer", with another source remarking: "He is fantastic."
Senior Associate Chiara Mundy is named as an Associate to Watch and described as "definitely one to watch for private wealth work."
In Guernsey, in addition to longstanding top tier rankings in the Chambers UK and Global Guides in the area of Dispute Resolution, Partner Jeremy Wessels is recognised in this year's High Net Worth Guide. A commentator notes: "His legal knowledge and ability in court is really superb."
Partner Christopher Edwards is also noted for his litigation expertise, including in trust litigation. An interviewee comments: "Christopher is an excellent speaker and clearly knows his subject matter."
Gilly Kennedy-Smith, head of the Guernsey international trusts and private client practice, has moved up a ranking to Band 2 in this year's guide. A source commends Gilly for "proactively raising any potential risks and considerations in the initial conversations regarding a new piece of work," while another praises her for being "very efficient and great with clients."
London-based Tony Pursall is also recommended in the 'UK expertise based abroad' category for his knowledge of BVI law – a location where Mourant also has an office based. A source describes him as "very knowledgeable and highly respected as both an academic and as a structuring lawyer."
