Leading independent Isle of Man law firm, Cains, has been described as an “excellent firm for navigating complex areas of law” in the newly launched 2025 edition of the Chambers UK Guide, with many of its lawyers gaining individual recognition.
Cains itself retained Band 1 status for its expertise in each of its main practice areas, namely Offshore Corporate and Finance and Dispute Resolution.
Commentary and feedback in this year’s guide includes the Corporate and Finance practice as having “a strong depth of understanding and technical knowledge.” Another commented “the lawyers quickly grasp our commercial objectives and offer practical insights as well as legal expertise” citing the team’s domestic and international experience in facilitating cross-border transactions.
Six of the corporate team were among the top ranked lawyers in the Isle of Man for their corporate and finance legal work, including Tim Shepherd who was hailed as “one of the leading experts” and “a great leader of his team. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of Isle of Man law.” Tristan Head was noted for being “efficient, effective and responsive”. Also individually ranked, Steven Quayle was credited for being “solid and dependable” for his Asset Finance work; Scott Leonard-Morgan was praised for his “very efficient and responsive manner” and being “exceptional in all criteria. It’s a pleasure to work with him.” Managing Associate Stephanie Chew was identified as a ‘Star Associate’ and described as “proactive, diligent and a pleasure to work with”.
Cains’ Dispute Resolution team was recognised as “experts in their field and highly regarded” and as a team that “provides thoughtful commercial advice”.
Seven individually ranked litigation lawyers include Seth Caine, who has Senior Statesperson status and Peter Clucas, being “excellent and [having] very good judgment”. Robert Colquitt was described by clients as an “excellent advocate who is thoughtful and extremely thorough” who “quickly grasps complex litigation issues and provides great technical advice combined with commercial realism”. Lindsey Bermingham is praised as being “an exceptional lawyer. She is very efficient and focused on the right issues” with a “a strong grasp of complex regulatory matters aligned with commercial reality.”
Managing Associate Tara Cubbon and Senior Associate Emily Johnson are both recognised as associates to watch with Tara being recognised as “very strong advocate”. Clients cited Emily as being “impressive and very bright, Emily’s work is thorough and completed in a timely manner.”
Head of Cains’ Employment and Data Protection team, Katherine Sheerin, was identified as “an excellent employment lawyer. She is calm, clear and knowledgeable ” and having “a deep understanding of the relevant legislation, due process and the mindset of the courts and the ability to cut through the legal aspects to deliver practical advice to the client.”
The Chambers UK results follow closely on from Cains being awarded [eight] Tier One rankings across all of its practice areas it submitted by Legal 500 UK earlier in the month.
The full list of Cains’ Chamber UK leading individuals includes:
Offshore Corporate & Finance: 1
Offshore Dispute Resolution: 1
Individuals
Tristan Head (Offshore Corporate & Finance)
Tim Shepherd (Offshore Corporate & Finance)
Scott Leonard-Morgan (Offshore Corporate & Finance)
Steven Quayle (Offshore Corporate & Finance)
Stephanie Chew (Offshore Corporate & Finance)
Matthew Wilkinson (Offshore Corporate & Finance)
Seth Caine (Offshore Dispute Resolution)
Peter Clucas (Offshore Dispute Resolution)
Robert Long (Offshore Dispute Resolution)
Robert Colquitt (Offshore Dispute Resolution)
Lindsey Bermingham (Offshore Dispute Resolution)
Tara Cubbon-Wood (Offshore Dispute Resolution)
Emily Johnson (Offshore Dispute Resolution)
Katherine Sheerin (Offshore Employment)
