DISTINGUISHED DQ REMAINS THE ‘LAW PRACTICE OF CHOICE’
14 December 2023
Acclaimed Island law firm DQ Advocates has again been recognised one of the best practices in the
British Isles.
The Douglas-based company once more features prominently in both the newly-released 2024 Legal
500 rankings and Chambers & Partners Guide.
Both are highly respected publications covering jurisdictions the world over.
The Legal 500 UK shows DQ has achieved top tier rankings across several of its key business areas
with no fewer than nine members of the team featuring in the prestigious industry directory,
alongside impressive client feedback and recommendations.
Considered an important third-party reference guide to the legal sector across the country, DQ
gained top tier placing in two key sectors (Employment and Private Client Trusts & Tax).
In addition, three senior lawyers are named as ‘Leading Individuals’, two members of staff are
ranked as ‘Next Generation’ partners, and four employees are classified as ‘Rising Stars’.
Once again, a partner at the firm retained her position in the Hall of Fame in two separate
categories.
The Legal 500 Hall of Fame is solely reserved for partners who are at the pinnacle of the profession
and have received constant praise by their clients for continued excellence.
Head of Private Client, Trusts & Pensions, Annemarie Hughes is acclaimed for her pragmatic and
highly knowledgeable approach in a variety of matters, with inclusion in both the Private Client,
Trusts & Tax and Insurance and Pensions sectors, while one of her colleagues, Associate Director
Donna Matthews, an expert in advisory issues in relation to trusts, is named as a ‘Next Generation
Partner’ for her work in that area.
As well as the Private Client, Trusts & Tax department, DQ’s Employment division has retained its top
tier status, led by the ‘diligent, tenacious and tireless’ Leanne McKeown.
Two of her team, Jessica McManus and Joshua Quinn, are ranked as ‘Rising Stars’ for their body of
work in that sector with Mark Emery also receiving a ringing endorsement as a Next Generation
Partner.
Elsewhere, the banking and finance team is noted for its considerable experience in tax, regulatory
and compliance services with Associate Director Adam Killip awarded the same Rising Star accolade.
He and Donna gained the same status for the Corporate and Commercial Division where Managing
Director Mark Dougherty was again named as a leading individual along with Head of Corporate and
Commercial Andrew Harding.
Described as ‘a highly skilled and experienced team that sets it apart from other firms’, it was
acknowledged for its extensive knowledge of corporate and commercial law, combined with a
practical approach which provides effective solutions to complex legal problems.
There was further acclaim for the firm’s Dispute Resolution department which has been promoted
to Tier Two status with the technically excellent Mark Emery listed for a second time, on this
occasion as Next Generation Partner. In addition, Mark Dougherty (Leading Individual) and Donna
Matthews (Rising Star) have received further inclusions in Shipping and Aviation with DQ noted as a
‘go-to- firm’.
Managing Director Mark Dougherty said the range of testimonials from clients was a tribute to the
entire staff.
He explained: ‘To be ranked for excellence in so many areas of practice across two widely respected
publications really is a true reflection of DQ’s commitment to maintaining a high quality of service.
The rankings are based on thorough and independent research, taking into account client experience
and peer observation, so are a real testament to the professionalism of our team, both advocates,
associates, advisors and consultants.
‘Our people really are our greatest asset so to see them recognised as amongst the best is fantastic.
It really is a team effort.’
The Legal 500 research of all law firms is based on a combination of feedback from 250,000 in-house
peers, client feedback and independent assessment of a variety of factors, including the strength
and depth of the practice, and a law firm’s ability to handle the most complex and innovative work.
DQ’s reputation has also been enhanced further by the Chambers and Partners UK Guide 2024 and
High Net Worth Guide in which it retained its rankings across key business areas.
These included Annemarie Hughes – the ‘go-to’ for anything related to local trust law who retained
her Band One status for Offshore Trusts, while Donna Matthews was ranked as an Associate to
Watch in the same category.
Corporate Finance (Offshore) is once more highly regarded in Band Two with Mark Dougherty highly
regarded and ‘fantastic litigator’ Leanne McKeown included in the top band for her work in offshore
employment.
With Adam Killip named an as ‘associate to watch’ and Mark Emery listed as an ‘up and coming’
advocate, it caps off a series of plaudits in a directory which is compiled by a team of editors who
conduct extensive research among legal practitioners and clients. Chambers has been ranking
lawyers and legal firms since 1990, covering more than 190 jurisdictions.
Mark added: ‘This recognition really outlines the strength and dedication of all colleagues and I
would like to congratulate them all individually and collectively. Such strong endorsements show
why we continue to be a law practice of choice for many.’
