Kushraj “Kush” Cheema, North America Research Director

Kushraj “Kush” Cheema is the Research Director – North America for Chambers and Partners, based in the company’s recently opened New York office. He started at Chambers as a researcher in 2015, became a Deputy Editor on the Chambers USA Guide in 2017, and moved to New York in early 2020 for his current role. As a researcher, Deputy Editor and in his current position, he speaks to hundreds of law firms, in-house clients and third-party sources to help ensure Chambers’ coverage is the most up-to-date and accurate source of information for purchasers of legal services, with particular specialism in the private equity, dispute resolution and alternative legal services sectors. He currently leads the research function in Chambers’ first US office, where he works with law firms to explain Chambers’ processes and best practice, with in-house lawyers to ensure they can make best use of the directory, and to examine potential new areas of coverage.

James Haggerty, Head of USA Research

James began his career at Chambers seven years ago starting as a Researcher on the UK/USA team, later moving through a stint as Assistant Editor on the UK Bar team, before joining the USA team full time as a Deputy Editor in 2017. In that role he oversaw our leading coverage of the Energy & Projects space, alongside other key USA practice areas. In August 2021 James took over the leadership role on the USA team from former Editor Toby Eccleshall, moving into the new position of Head of USA Research. James works closely with Kush Cheema, the North America Research Director, to helm our USA project and our efforts to research and rank the best law firms in America. James is responsible for running the entire Chambers USA research operation from our London office. Working with the team of Research Managers, James oversees our world-class research team, drives the development of our research methodology and ensures the quality of Chambers legal rankings. The USA team researches thousands of attorneys and law firms across all 50 states, in DC and at a nationwide level, covering around 200 different practice areas. Our expert Research Managers provide specialist expertise and guidance to our wider US research team, which comprises often as many as 100 researchers dedicated to producing gold-standard Chambers research on the US legal market.

Alek Quick-Tomašević, Research Manager - USA, Chambers and Partners

Originally from London, Alek spent most of his childhood growing up in the Netherlands before returning to the UK to study Literature at the University of Reading and the Graduate Diploma in Law at BPP Law School. Alek worked as a Research Analyst on the UK/US team prior to his current position as Research Manager, and now oversees sections including Intellectual Property, Life Sciences, Securities and White-Collar Crime.

Zahra Damji, Research Manager - USA, Chambers and Partners

Zahra has been a Research Manager on the USA Team since 2017, and was previously a Researcher on the UK/USA team and Assistant Editor on the UK Bar team. She studied Law at the University of Birmingham. Zahra oversees the Labor & Employment, EBEC, Media & Entertainment, Government Relations and Political Law sections of the Guide.

Keavy Hunnigal-Gaw, Research Manager - USA, Chambers and Partners

Keavy spent three years as a US/UK Researcher before moving over to the US guide as a Research Manager in 2021. Based out of the London office, she oversees research on the antitrust, capital markets, environment, insurance and real estate sections. In her spare time you can catch her playing tennis and trying new restaurants.

Matthew Court, Research Manager - USA, Chambers and Partners

Matt joined Chambers as a researcher on the UK/USA team, before being promoted to Research Manager on the US team. He previously worked as a Technical Researcher for a town planning consultancy, and graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in American Literature, History and Politics. Outside of work he’s a keen squash player.