Jane heads the Family team at SMB.
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
“McDonagh is always aware of issues and how to practically deal with matters.”
Chambers and Partners HNW, 2023
“She is a force behind the department that she’s running and always keeps the case under her vigilant control.” Chambers and 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 and 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 and Partners HNW, 2022
“Jane is an immensely talented and personable legal counsel. She has helped me to navigate the tricky legal terrain with care and attention.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“Jane is the consummate legal professional – completely calm and considered.” Chambers and 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 and Partners, 2021
“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
“Top recommended family lawyer ‘Distinguished Individual.'”
The Spears’ 500, 2019
Recommended family lawyer “Outstanding in Field.”
The Spears’ 500, 2018
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