Jane heads the Family team. She has over twenty years of experience in family work and is highly regarded in her field as an approachable professional, well-known for her rigorous but measured approach.
She is a family mediator and collaborative lawyer and has specialist expertise in cases involving international law (including Sharia) and cases of financial complexity. Jane is ranked in both the Chambers and Legal 500 directories, which recognise her as “sensible, unflappable and approachable” and that she, “holds her own against the top firms”. Jane was made a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers in 2019, recognising her as one of the world’s most experienced and skilled family law specialists. She was named in Spear’s Magazine’s Family Law Index 2020 as a Top Recommended Family Lawyer.
Jane is a member of the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility group, actively supports the charity Voices in the Middle, and is a member of the Family Mediators Association. She also volunteers for Caris Islington, a charity which provides bereavement counselling. National newspapers regularly use Jane as an expert on family and divorce law.
Testimonials
“Jane is one of the most professional people I’ve met.” Chambers & Partners HNW, 2022
“She is a force behind the department that she’s running and always keeps the case under her vigilant control.” Chambers & Partners HNW, 2022
Jane McDonagh “is absolutely fantastic. She is really brilliant and has done lots of great work. I would always recommend her on matters. he was a litigator before she became a family lawyer, and that gives her a different take on things. She’s very commercial, very bright and very good at understanding people”
Chambers & Partners HNW, 2022
“Jane is one of the most professional people I’ve met. She is a force behind the department that she’s running and always keeps the case under her vigilant control. She’s also extremely comfortable to work with” Chambers & Partners HNW, 2022
“Department head, Jane McDonagh, is superb. She leads by example and has an enviable reputation.” Legal 500, 2022
” I felt Jane McDonagh was proactive and responded to all correspondence and enquiries promptly and in detail.” Legal 500, 2022
“Jane McDonagh was exceptional throughout.” Legal 500, 2022
“Very experienced, thoughtful, articulate, sensitive but tough when required. She maintained a firm grasp of detail throughout whilst able to consider the bigger picture.” Legal 500, 2022
“She is always clear in her advice, and supportive when hard decisions need to be made.” Legal 500, 2021
“She is understanding, not only of the intricacies of the law but also of the personal difficulties her clients face.” Legal 500, 2021
“Jane McDonagh was quickly able to get a clear overview of our situation and throughout she gave calm and consistent advice. She was always keen to hear our views and how we wished to proceed but we were guided throughout by her professional opinion. I always felt reassured having spoken to her.” Legal 500, 2021
“Jane McDonagh is the consummate legal professional. She is completely calm and considered in what can often be a highly charged emotional situation.” Legal 500, 2021
“I have only great thoughts and words for Rhiannon Guibert and Jane McDonagh. They completely understood how difficult my situation was and tried their best to achieve the desired outcome.”
Legal 500, 2021
“Jane McDonagh is a fantastic head of department.” Legal 500, 2020
“Sensible, unflappable and approachable & holds her own against the top firms.” Legal 500, 2019
“Jane is an immensely talented and personable legal counsel. She has helped me to navigate the tricky legal terrain with care and attention.” Chambers & Partners, 2021
“Jane is the consummate legal professional – completely calm and considered.” Chambers & Partners, 2021
“She is always clear in her advice and supportive when hard decisions need to be made. She is understanding, not only of the intricacies of the law, but also of the personal difficulties her clients face.” Chambers & Partners, 2021
“She’s accessible, empathetic and always discusses everything in advance.” Chambers & Partners, 2020
“She was quite simply amazing. She got straight to the nub of things and was extremely sharp.” Chambers & Partners, 2019
“Her strengths are her intelligence and legal knowledge combined with her acute emotional intelligence.” Chambers & Partners, 2018
“Top recommended family lawyer ‘Distinguished Individual.'”
The Spears’ 500, 2019Recommended family lawyer “Outstanding in Field.” The Spears’ 500, 2018
Practice areas
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“Jane has been wonderful – she is knowledgeable and kind, and has razor-sharp insights and extreme attention to important detail.”
Chambers and Partners, 2024 -
“McDonagh is always aware of issues and how to practically deal with matters.”
Chambers and Partners, 2024
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Chambers & Partners HNW, 2023“Jane has been wonderful – she is knowledgeable and kind, and has razor-sharp insights and extreme attention to important detail.”
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Chambers & Partners HNW, 2023“McDonagh is always aware of issues and how to practically deal with matters.”
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Chambers & Partners HNW, 2022“She’s very commercial, very bright and very good at understanding people”
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Chambers & Partners HNW, 2022Jane McDonagh “is absolutely fantastic. She is really brilliant and has done lots of great work. I would always recommend her on matters.”
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Chambers & Partners, 2022“She is pragmatic and sensible to work with.”
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Chambers & Partners, 2022“She is calm and clear, as well as being thorough.”
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Legal 500, 2023“Jane McDonagh is a class act. She acts for many clients who work in the media and creative industries and has a real feel for those businesses and the issues which arise. She is shrewd and her gentle manner belies a steely approach to negotiation which brings great results for her clients. I could not recommend her more for complex financial work.”
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Legal 500, 2023“Jane McDonagh – very solid and sensible advice, the true leader, highly expertized and recommended.”
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Legal 500, 2023“Jane McDonagh – First rate litigator, beloved by clients and counsel alike. Fine strategic and tactical thinker, gives very sound advice on both outcome and process to achieve the best result.”
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Legal 500, 2023“Jane McDonagh has done a truly excellent job in leading the team and building it to the size it is today.”
News featuring Jane
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21st July 2023
Congratulations to SMB’s family team, for being included in Chambers and Partners High Net Worth ranking
SMB Family Practice listed in Chambers and Partners Ultra High Net Worth.
Read more -
24th January 2023 Family
How to separate – alternative routes in divorce
Even when it might be the right decision for those who are badly matched or ready to part ways, separation or divorce can be immensely painful and challenging.
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18th July 2022 Family
The SMB family team are recognised for their outstanding work in Chambers 2022 High Net Worth Guide
Our Partners and Family team have been recognised, once again, in the Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide for 2022. An outstanding achievement.
Read more