At Taylor Wessing LLP, practice head Emma Jordan, who focuses on representing high-net-worth clients and trustees, is dual qualified as both an English barrister and a Jersey advocate. It is a ‘tenacious and hardworking team’, which is ’always available‘. It is ’able to explain things clearly and simply‘, say clients. Kirstie McGuigan is another key individual whose work spans contentious and advisory matters. Also recommended is Caroline Tayler, who has a strong reputation for her work on complex international estate disputes, as well as for her trusts advice in divorce proceedings. The group is skilled at advising on civil fraud, asset-tracing and recovery within offshore trusts and structures, while additionally being well equipped to deal with high-value issues of capacity, in particular where the protector loses capacity. Sacha Somerston is another experienced member of the department.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Kirsty McGuigan - a first-rate partner. Hardworking, incredibly sharp, and always responsive. Sacha Somerston - probably the best senior associate operating in this area of law. A real star.'
‘The firm has a team of able and experienced trial lawyers with good strength at all levels. Emma Jordan is a force of nature. A tenacious and able courtroom advocate and great to work with.’
'George Porter - a standout senior associate with formidable strategic instincts, together with first-rate technical and forensic skills. He is highly adept and enormously effective at every stage of a case. He is a first-rate practitioner and a star of the future.’
‘I've worked with Emma Jordan and George Porter for multiple years and they are really friendly and easy to get along with. They have a clear idea of the direction of travel and strategy and are always working hard.’
‘Kirsty McGuigan - Great leader. Caroline Tayler - Very reliable and very good legal instincts . Sacha Somerston - One to watch, impressive and careful in approach.’
‘The TW contentious trusts and probate team provide the perfect professional service. They are diligent, organised, hardworking and very well led by their exemplary partners. Their client care is immaculate, but they are also conspicuously kind and supportive to their own associates and staff.'
Key clients
- Mondo Bongo LLC and UBO of Mondo Bongo LLC, Brad Pitt
- Equity Trusts (Jersey) Limited
Work highlights
Acting for a world-renowned Hollywood actor and his Californian LLC in complex multi-jurisdictional litigation concerning a wine business and associated chateau and land.
Representing the eldest son of an ultra-high-net-worth Italian family dealing in oil and gas in confidential multi-party arbitration proceedings involving a claim for breach of trust and dishonest assistance related to a wholesale distribution out of trusts of approximately $4bn to his father, the Settlor.
Acting for the Guardian Ad Litem appointed by the Bermuda Court to represent the interests of young and yet-to-be-born beneficiaries of high-value family trusts in a Public Trustee v Cooper application brought by the Trustee.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Kirstie McGuigan
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Caroline Tayler
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Sacha Somerston
Practice head
Emma Jordan
Other key lawyers
Kirstie McGuigan; Caroline Tayler; Andrew Hine; Sacha Somerston; George Porter