Spear’s Review

Jane McDonagh heads up the family law department at Simons Muirhead Burton. 

McDonagh’s specialism lies in financial proceedings arising from divorce and relationship breakdown, and she acts for a wide variety of clients within the media and entertainment world, as well as billionaires. Thoroughly international in character, her practice often spans multiple jurisdictions, with a particular focus on the Middle East and East Asia, as well as the US.

McDonagh also has a mediation practice, and is a collaborative lawyer. Her approach is governed by a thorough emphasis on listening to clients and showing them ‘that we understand each case is different’, McDonagh tells Spear’s. Cases can be emotional, and sometimes it is better to listen first rather than dive into advice, she says.

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Jane McDonagh, founder of Simons Muirhead Burton’s family law department, could not be clearer that individuals navigating divorce or separation need a lawyer who is tough, tenacious and undaunted by the challenges. 

But Jane also understands the need for compassion. Though every case is different and deeply personal to the client, the right application of these skills has been an important part of her success. ‘[Jane is] completely calm and considered in what can often be a highly charged emotional situation ... always clear in her advice, and supportive when hard decisions need to be made ... understanding, not only of the intricacies of the law, but also of the personal difficulties her clients face,’ says one client. 

Jane’s practice is financially complex and international (she is a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers) and uses her niche expertise in sharia law to great effect. She brings clients a ‘solid’ track record in the Family Courts and varied experience of dealing with cross-cultural challenges, family matters, children with special needs or the forensic analysis of business assets. 

A recent case for the wife of a politically sensitive HNW resulted in ‘years of hard-hitting litigation’, with assets spread across various jurisdictions. ‘We achieved an extremely good outcome for our client,’ she says, ‘despite significant headwinds.’ 

Other highlights include highly contested proceedings involving Ukraine, Egypt, Oman, Iran and Dubai. McDonagh’s team covers everything from assisting with cohabitation and nuptial agreements to forensic disclosures and child abduction cases. She stresses that each client’s circumstances are different, depending on where they are in their relationships.