The Chambers and Partners 2025 guide carries out independent research of law firms through client and peer feedback. We are pleased to announce that we are ranked highly in ten departments as well as nineteen individuals ranked throughout. Thank you to all of our clients and referees who spoke so highly of us again this year. A selection of feedback can be found below:
Crime, London
The Crime team maintains their rankings in both General Crime and Financial Crime. In the General Crime category, Anthony Burton retains the highest ranking of ‘Senior Statespeople’ with department head Phil Smith retaining his band 1 ranking. Henrietta Ronson who was promoted to Partner at SMB in April 2024, retains her rank of ‘Up and coming.’ Feedback said of the Crime team, “they provide an excellent standard of service and look at every angle in a case to make sure nothing is overlooked. They bring obvious legal expertise but at the same time they remain approachable.”
Family, London
The SMB Family team is ranked for their work in both the Children law category in band 2 and in the Matrimonial Finance: High Net Worth in band 1. The team is described as “straight to the point with fulsome yet inherently practicable advice which is always on the money.” Department head Jane McDonagh maintains her ranking in the Ultra High Net Worth guide alongside Partner Tom Farley-Hills. Tom is also ranked in Children law alongside Partners Tessa Bray and Sarah Harding. One respondent described them as “providing excellent, seamless advice and is always available, especially at critical points.”
Corporate/M&A: £10-100 million, London
The Corporate team retains their elevated position for a second year. Receiving excellent feedback the team has been referenced as being able to “operate very effectively, providing pragmatic and commercial advice. Issues are well thought-out in a collegiate and considered manner with clarity provided.” Another referee said they are “very skilled negotiators and are reassuringly knowledgeable in all aspects of law which can come up during an acquisition.”
Defamation/Reputation Management, UK
The Defamation team retains their band 1 ranking which they have kept for almost 20 years. We are pleased to announce that Partner Louis Charalambous has been elevated to Senior Statesperson in recognition of his experience in this area. Department Head, Jeffrey Smele has also increased his ranking this year alongside Emma Linch who is noted as ‘Up and Coming.’ Razi Mireskandari maintains his ranking of Eminent Practitioner. Steven Heffer who joined SMB earlier in the year is also ranked. A peer had this to say: “They cover the best media work and provide targeted advice.”
Media & Entertainment: Publishing UK
We are pleased to announce the SMB Publishing team have increased to appear as Band 1 this year. This is an incredible achievement by the entire team. Department head Martin Soames also retained his top ranking for the sixth consecutive year. Described by Chambers as “having so many talented lawyers there” it is unsurprising that the team has moved to the top band.
Media & Entertainment: Film & Television
The Film & TV team have maintained their good rankings this year alongside department head Razwana Akram retaining her ranking with Partner Simon Goldberg. The Film & TV department have been ranked for over ten years and one client said “I have absolute faith in their advice and their understanding of legal and commercial nuance. Everyone I have encountered at SMB has been thoroughly impressive.”
Media & Entertainment: Music
For the eleventh year, the Music team have continued to maintain their ranking alongside department head Richard Baskind retaining his ranking. The team are known for being able to “take a very pragmatic, hands-on approach. They always meet a challenge head on.”
International Human Rights Law
The Death Penalty Project is a legal action charity housed and supported by SMB. DPP provides free legal representation to death row prisoners around the world. They have maintained their Band 1 ranking again this year alongside co-founders Parvais Jabbar and Saul Lehfreund both maintaining their top ranking.
Alongside these rankings, we would like to highlight that department head of Franchising, Maninder Gill has maintained his ranking again this year for the tenth consecutive year. Chambers describes him as a highly personable adviser who responds quickly to client concerns. “He quickly gets to the point; he is a very practical lawyer who is always looking for a solution.”
Thank you again to all of our referees and peers for this excellent feedback.
This great achievement marks the second year running in which an SMB client has won this prestigious award, with client Curious Films winning it last year.
Read moreSimons Muirhead Burton is pleased to congratulate our client Happy Town Productions Limited on the release of Happy Town series 1 on Sky Kids.
Read morePartner and head of SMB’s Criminal department, Phil Smith, featured on Nine News Australia yesterday, discussing the Sam Kerr trial on Nine News, on Australian prime time television.
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