Ellis Jones Celebrates Recognition from Chambers and Partners UK 2027

Following our strong performance in this year’s Legal 500 rankings, we are delighted to celebrate further recognition in the Chambers UK Guide 2027, one of the legal profession’s most respected independent directories. 

This year’s guide has once again highlighted the strength and depth of talent across Ellis Jones, with recognition for both our departments and individual lawyers. 

Family/Matrimonial

Our Family team has once again been ranked in Band 2, recognising the department’s strength across a wide range of family law matters, including complex children disputes, high-value financial settlements and cases involving business and property assets. 

The team continues to receive individual recognition, with Joint Head of Department Deborah Leask maintaining her Band 2 ranking, while Joint Head of Department Sean McNally and Partner Katie Taft are both ranked in Band 3. This year, Partner Ian Butterworth has also been recognised in Band 4, further strengthening the firm’s individual rankings within the guide. 

Clients and peers praised the team’s expertise, pragmatic approach and client care, with Deborah Leask described as “very experienced and brilliant with clients”, while Sean McNally was recognised for his “huge experience and pragmatic” approach. Katie Taft was commended for her work on complex children matters and her empathy for clients, and Ian Butterworth was highlighted as “tenacious and very knowledgeable” and a “fierce advocate for his clients.”

Business Services

Our Business Services team has retained its Band 3 ranking in the Corporate/M&A: SME/Owner-Managed Businesses category, with Neil Cook continuing to be recognised as a key contact for the firm. 

Feedback highlighted the team’s practical, commercially focused advice and approachable style, with clients noting that the department is “responsive and able to explain legal points in a clear and commercially relevant way” and praised its ability to deliver “a tailored, pragmatic approach” that helps achieve successful outcomes.

Employment Law

Our Head of Employment, Kate Brooks, has once again been recognised as an Up and Coming lawyer, reflecting her growing reputation and expertise within employment law. 

Clients praised Kate’s personable approach and technical expertise, commenting that she “consistently delivers a high level of service, combining strong technical expertise with a pragmatic, commercially focused approach” and that she “inspires trust” through her advice and client care.

Commercial Litigation

Our Commercial Litigation team, which includes our Dispute Resolution and Banking & Finance Litigation specialists, has maintained its Band 4 ranking, recognising the team’s expertise across a broad range of complex disputes. 

Senior Associate Conor Maher has again been recognised as an Up and Coming lawyer, reflecting his growing profile within the litigation sector. 

Chambers praised Conor’s strategic approach and dedication to clients, noting that he “impresses with his judgement, tenacity and responsiveness” and “prepares cases brilliantly and gets into the detail of the dispute.”

Real Estate Litigation

We are also delighted to see further recognition for our specialists across the firm. Florence Maher has been named an Associate to Watch for Real Estate Litigation, with clients describing her as “really very impressive” and praising her strong litigation strategy, client care and technical expertise.

Recognition of our commitment

Our Managing Partner, Lauren Day, said:

For more than 35 years, Chambers and Partners has set the benchmark for legal rankings through its rigorous research process and independent assessment of law firms and lawyers across the UK and internationally. 

We are proud to be recognised once again and to see our commitment to delivering exceptional legal advice reflected in this year’s results.