According to clients, ‘it is not possible to have a better team' than the group at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP, which regularly handles both complex international work and ultra-high-value domestic work. The practice's international reach is bolstered by its team members' skills, with James Freeman a go-to for Anglo-French cases, James Riby for Anglo-Italian, and Miranda Fisher also a specialist in this area. Team head William Longrigg is sought after for high-value divorce and prenuptial matters, often acting for high-profile clients; family businesses and their treatment on separation are a particular focus for Sarah Higgins. Cases involving cryptocurrency assets are also an area of expertise for the team, with Sarah Jane Boon a key name here. Sarah Anticoni heads up the firm’s family mediation offering, with ’star of the future‘ Jamie Kennaugh also a mediator. Joshua Green is recommended as ’wise beyond his years’, regularly acting for clients in the sports industry and handling cases involving publicity and media law issues, while Emily Borrowdale often advises start-up entrepreneurs.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘It is not possible to have a better team than that offered by the Charles Russell Speechlys family team. All of the partners are stellar and the associates, many of whom are future partners in the making, are fearsomely bright. Whether for finance and/or children, I would recommend and do recommend CRS to anyone contemplating family or private litigation.’

  • ‘A great stable with some real talent - not flash or brash but quietly effective. They get the job done and done well. The overall impression is one of focusing on the best interests of the client overall, and where possible taking a collaborative approach to get there.'

  • 'Jamie Kennaugh is empathetic, warm and supportive to her clients. A star of the future.'
  • 'William Longrigg is charm personified, affable and approachable, with a twinkle in his eye, but a steel in his negotiations not to be ignored.’
  • ‘Miranda Fisher is excellent. She is extremely responsive and provides the highest quality advice to very demanding clients. Her client manner is superb and her attention to detail very impressive. Undoubtedly one of the best family/divorce lawyers in the country.’

  • ‘Sarah Jane Boon is a strategic, fearless litigator, good judgment, very analytical.'

  • 'Josh Green is wise beyond his years, excellent with clients who adore him, good judgment.'

  • ‘James Freeman is robust, hugely intelligent, pragmatic, thoughtful. A really impressive lawyer and mediator. Wearing his mediator hat he adopts an unusually interactive, inquisitorial style that gets results’

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 associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

William Longrigg

Other key lawyers

Miranda Fisher, Sarah Higgins, Sarah Jane Boon, Jamie Kennaugh, Emily Borrowdale, Joshua Green, James Riby, Charlotte Posnansky, Erica Shelton, David Carver, James Freeman, Sarah Anticoni