Professionals at law firm DQ Advocates have received further ringing endorsements from two leading UK guides.

They have gained numerous accolades and retained high level status in both the newly-released Chambers guide and Legal 500 rankings.

As well as securing prominent success as a company across key business areas, DQ’s lawyers and associates were recognised for their work providing the highest levels of expert service for clients.

That included seven separate awards in the Chambers and Partners Guide.

In addition, the Legal 500 directory awarded a total of 20 commendations to the Douglas-based company and staff.

DQ Advocates gained top tier status in two key business sectors, with no fewer than eight individual lawyers and associates ranked for excellence in their practice areas.

Senior associates Tara Cubbon and Adam Killip both appeared in the Chambers Guide for the first time when they were named associates to watch.

Tara was named as ’one to watch’ for her dispute resolution work, praised for ’very impressive’ skills in the courtroom and described as someone who ’communicates well and puts her clients at ease’.

In also being listed, Adam was described by clients as ’very knowledgeable, with excellent attention to detail and fast response times’.

Adam was the only commercial associate named on the ’one to watch’ list.

As a company, DQ also retained its band two status in two practice areas: corporate & finance and employment.

That was further reflected with individual success as managing director Mark Dougherty was named as a leading individual in corporate & finance and director Leanne McKeown was individually ranked as a leading associate in Offshore: Employment - Isle of Man.

DQ director and head of dispute resolution Giles Hill was the other individual recognised as he was named in band two for dispute resolution work.

Mark Dougherty and Stephen Dougherty, head of corporate and commercial, were both named ’leading individuals’ as DQ was awarded Legal 500 ’top tier’ status for its shipping, aviation and space work.

Associate director Donna Matthews was named in the ’next generation lawyer’ category.

There was also tier one recognition for DQs employment work where Leanne was ranked as a ’leading individual’ in the top band.

The Legal 500 ranked DQ as Tier 2 in six practice areas (corporate & commercial, dispute resolution, investment funds & capital markets, banking & finance, insurance & pensions and private client trusts & tax) with eight further individual endorsements.

Hazel Dawson was ranked as a ’next generation’ lawyer.

The other individual lawyers and associates ranked in their practice areas were Mark Dougherty (leading individual corporate & commercial), Donna Matthews (next generation lawyers, corporate & commercial), Giles Hill (leading individual, dispute resolution), Annemarie Hughes (leading individual, insurance & pensions and private client trusts & tax) and Tara Cubbon (next generation lawyers, dispute resolution).

Managing director Mark Dougherty praised the team for its success.

He said: ’To retain our rankings across key business areas is recognition of DQ’s commitment to maintaining a high quality of service.

’The rankings are based on thorough and independent research, taking into account client experience and peer observation, so are a real testament to the professionalism and expertise of our team.

’Our people are our greatest asset and they will undoubtedly play an important part in our growth story over the coming years. They make a formidable team and to know they are recognised as amongst the best by independent peers is fantastic.

’Well done to all the staff for achieving this position and a big thank you for your hard work.’

Adam Killip

Tara Cubbon