With excellent domestic and European regulatory coverage, and now better placed to assist on matters with a US nexus following the merger with legacy firm Shearman & Sterling, A&O Shearman is truly a force to be reckoned with in the financial services litigation and investigations field. The ‘outstanding’ Calum Burnett is a trusted advisor to a plethora of leading banks and asset managers, a position he has justifiably earned over the years by virtue of his ‘pragmatic and client-focused’ advice. Burnett handles high-stakes regulatory investigations spanning a range of topics, such as market abuse and insider dealing, financial crime and cyber security breaches. Arnondo Chakrabarti has a rare combination of expertise in handling contentious regulatory matters, as well as corporate crime; he has been, in recent years, at the forefront of contentious matters relating to alleged FX manipulation. The ‘very clever and diligent’ Eve Giles also excels at handling white-collar crime matters, both for institutions and individuals, and has significant experience at handing dual-track criminal and regulatory investigations. The ‘extremely hard working, responsive and smart’ Sarah Hitchins has excellent insight into ‘anticipating the FCA’s approach’ on new areas of focus, including with regard to non-financial misconduct. Mahmood Lane has a focus on market abuse and manipulation cases, while the arrival of Thomas Donegan and Barney Reynolds from legacy Shearman & Sterling further enhances the firm’s credibility for both non-contentious and contentious matters.

The ‘gold-plated team’ at Clifford Chance LLP has an ‘excellent understanding of the contentious regulatory landscape in the UK’ and is regularly engaged by high-profile financial services clients on many of their most complex and sophisticated regulatory investigations and enforcements. The ‘experienced and unflappable’ Carlos Conceicao leads from the front. He brings a level of gravitas and skill that elicits favourable results for many leading international banks and asset management firms in big-ticket market manipulation cases, inter alia. ‘Outstanding’ solicitor-advocate Dorian Drew excels at handling both high-profile enforcement actions, often involving co-ordination among multiple international regulators, and financial services litigation. Oliver Pegden ‘has come up through the ranks’ at the firm and has gained particularly strong traction among bulge bracket banks, which are appreciative of his ‘forensic approach’ to dealing with enforcement actions, internal investigations and related litigation. Kelwin Nicholls is also a key member of the team, as is Samantha Ward, who has a focus on matters with a competition angle.

The ‘highly talented and client focused’ team at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP leverages ‘in-depth market knowledge’ to good effect for large banking, asset management and insurance clients. This knowledge is gleaned not only from private practice, but also from former in-house roles and regulatory agency positions. The scope of the work is broad, running the gamut from traditional enforcement activity and investigations through to accountability reviews, working with the employment team, of individuals and groups following risk management issues. UK team head Hywel Jenkins is ‘thoughtful and considered, while also managing to be practical’. He is consequently a popular choice among clients, not only for high-profile FCA, PRA investigations and enforcement actions, but also for risk management issues relating to internal governance. Jenny Stainsby, who oversees the global group, is knowledgeable across international trends in the market, ensuring she is adept at handling work for large international financial services firms with global operations. In addition, Stainsby has been particularly visible of late in relation to non-financial misconduct investigations and whistleblowing matters. At a more junior level, the ‘very knowledgeable’ Jon Ford provides ‘commercial and pragmatic’ advice to commercial and investment banks, with added insight due to his previous in-house banking role. Chris Ninan excels in guiding clients through FCA and PRA investigations, including with regard to AML issues and market abuse. Consultant Karen Anderson is also recommended.

Spearheaded from London by Martyn Hopper, Linklaters LLP boasts an integrated contentious and non-contentious offering. The practice is well-placed to effectively represent many leading financial institutions, including large commercial, retail and investment banks, throughout the full spectrum of their contentious issues, from risk management advice and work on regulatory supervisory matters through to enforcement actions. In this regard, the team also benefits from experts throughout its ranks with former in-house agency experience, including ex-FCA managing director Clare McMullen. It is also able to draw from practitioners throughout its international network of offices on large-scale multi-jurisdictional investigations. Nikunj Kiri has wide-ranging expertise throughout the scope of issues facing clients in the sector, including with regard to systems and controls and market conduct, and is as comfortable handling skilled persons investigations, as he is PRA and FCA-led probes. Other key members of the team include retail banking expert Alison Wilson; Ben Packer, who excels at helping firms and individuals navigate regulatory scrutiny, oftentimes involving parallel investigations by multiple authorities; and recently promoted partner Elizabeth Dowd, who is skilled at helping financial institutions identify areas of potential regulatory risk and proactively helping them to improve compliance arrangements.

On an upward trajectory following a number of recent hires, including the recent arrival of white-collar expert Judith Seddon from Dechert LLP, Ashurst‘s versatile team is accomplished at handling regulatory (FCA and PRA) enforcement actions, internal investigations and related disputes. Team head Nathan Willmott exemplifies this eclecticism, defending senior banking executives in regulatory investigations and disciplinary proceedings, guiding large financial institutions on their dealings with the FCA, and providing risk management compliance advice with respect to the Senior Managers Regime (SMR). Other key members of the team include Tom Connor, who is adept at handling regulatory investigations and associated civil disputes, and Adam Jamieson, who regularly represents clients in FCA and PRA investigations as well as Section 166 skilled person reviews.

Forming part of the broader litigation offering, and closely aligned to the advisory group, the ‘collegiate’ team at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner combines a deep understanding of the black letter law with a strong sense of commerciality for investment banking clients, and individual members of senior management, in particular, across the full swathe of their contentious regulatory requirements. ‘Savvy and client-focused’ team head Polly James excels at handling sensitive whistleblower-initiated internal investigations and is very adept at assisting clients with their pre-contentious regulatory interactions with the PRA and FCA. The ‘exceptionally smart’ David Rundle continues to thrive since recently joining from Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP and is particularly skilled at assisting individuals and entities in market abuse cases before the FCA. UK head of banking litigation Oran Gelb handles disputes at all court levels as well as representing clients in market abuse-related enforcement actions before the FCA.

Led by the ‘pragmatic and knowledgeable’ Ash Saluja, CMS has a ‘deep understanding of the UK regulatory environment’. It is well-placed to provide ‘very reassuring advice’ to wholesale and retail financial services clients across the full scope of issues attracting regulatory scrutiny. Simon Morris has ‘excellent technical knowledge’ across governance matters, including with regard to the implementation of the SMCR regime. He also regularly helps regulated entities on their dealings with the FCA, both at a preliminary stage as well as in formal enforcement procedures. The ‘superb’ Alison McHaffie also has vast experience in the field and can provide ‘robust advice’ for clients, often staving off the need for formal regulatory intervention. Elisabeth Bremner has ‘in-depth knowledge of the workings of the FCA’ and is popular among both entities and senior managers seeking to navigate regulatory scrutiny. Her expertise in the market is also recognised by the FCA itself, which has instructed her to carry out Skilled Persons reviews.

Leveraging a ‘strong depth of knowledge, experience and relationships’ throughout the financial services sector, enhanced by the existence of numerous ex-senior FCA enforcement lawyers and in-house banking lawyers within its ranks, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is well-positioned to represent a myriad stakeholders on many of their most pressing contentious concerns. An ‘excellent strategist and tactician’, Gregory Brandman has acted as defence counsel on a high proportion of the FCA’s recent published enforcement outcomes and is also regularly engaged by the regulator to act as a “skilled person”. Drawing upon an ‘excellent knowledge of the broader regulatory landscape’, Jake McQuitty is also an ‘outstanding lead on enforcement cases’ related to regulatory misconduct and suspected criminality and is well-versed at handling cyber security matters. Julia Neal has ‘excellent market insight’, which she effectively leverages in the context of enforcement actions and internal investigations. Kari McKormick co-heads the team alongside Brandman and Neal and has niche expertise defending accountancy firms and their senior employees in investigations by the Financial Reporting Council.

With strength-in-depth at both partner and associate level, the ‘hardworking and committed’ team at Hogan Lovells International LLP has the resources and expertise to handle a tremendous range and volume of regulatory enforcement matters and disputes for a stellar roster of banking and funds clients. Recognised as ‘one of the titans of the financial services world’, Philip Parish leads, providing ‘calm and reassuring’ advice as a result of his ‘total command of the detail’, be it with regard to market manipulation allegations against financial services entities or disciplinary actions brought against senior managers. The team is also at the forefront of work at the intersection between regulatory enforcement and the criminal law; Claire Lipworth provides tremendous insight to clients facing financial crime matters, including in the context of anti-money laundering (AML) systems and controls, by dint of her former role as Chief Criminal Counsel at the FCA. The ‘thoughtful and clever’ Elaine Penrose also has excellent insight into the inner workings of the FCA, having spent time on secondment there, as well as regularly taking the lead in internal investigations. Arwen Handley has particular sensitivity to the regulatory needs of banking clients, having spent many years at several different investment banks; she is particularly adept at handling whistleblowing investigations with regulatory implications.

Macfarlanes LLP works in a highly collaborative fashion with the broader firmwide litigation offering and other key practice groups to provide a ‘very efficient service’ to an eclectic mix of financial services entities facing international regulatory disputes, enforcement actions and investigations. The ‘very strong and reliable’ Matt McCahearty has developed a market-leading reputation over the years, including in relation to high-profile market manipulation matters. His expertise, which includes work on UK/US cross-border matters, is also recognised by the FCA itself, with the regulator having instructed him as a “skilled person” to independently conduct investigations and prepare reports into regulated firms. Dan Lavender co-heads the team alongside McCahearty and is noted for the ‘practical and sensible‘ advice he provides in the context of potentially reputation threatening disputes and investigations.

Mishcon de Reya LLP has ‘built up a well-deserved reputation for high-quality advice’ on behalf of senior individuals at wholesale and retail financial services firms and is regularly called upon to represent them in matters of the utmost importance. Many of these relate to allegations of market abuse, with the firm noted for its robust representation and willingness to take on the FCA, progressing matters before the key decision makers. Adam Epstein heads the practice and is described by clients as a ‘doyen of the financial services’ market. Guy Wilkes has a ‘good understanding of the regulator’, having previously headed a department within FCA enforcement; he uses this insight to good effect for individuals and entities, including as it relates to alleged AML infractions. Senior associate Elizabeth Hope ‘knows the industry well’ and has niche expertise handling cases at the intersection between employment law and the FCA rules.

Reinforced by a strong advisory practice and its broader commercial litigation offering, Norton Rose Fulbright can ‘seamlessly deliver’ very effective advice to a myriad of retail and wholesale financial services clients from a risk management perspective, as well as throughout the litigation and regulatory enforcement contentious continuum. Katie Stephen is a ‘wily lawyer’ who is well-placed to represent clients in regulatory investigations and enforcement actions, having been seconded to the FCA, as well as broader civil litigation cases. Combining ‘technical expertise with very skilled relationship and negotiation skills’, David Harris is a popular choice to provide high-level board advice in contentious scenarios, he is also very skilled at guiding entities through FCA and PRA investigations, as well as being increasingly busy of late advising on sanctions and AML matters. Claudia Van Gruisen continues to grow her reputation advising clients in internal and external criminal and regulatory investigations, with a focus on bribery, money laundering, fraud and regulatory compliance.

With an ‘exceptional understanding of the nuances of dealing with the FCA’, Simmons & Simmons is a very popular choice for financial services clients facing both routine supervision matters as well as more contentious, event-driven supervision and enforcement matters. Key to the firm’s success before the regulator is the work of the ‘incredibly clever’ Emma Sutcliffe, who ‘has a depth of knowledge of the regulatory sphere that is second-to-none’. Sutcliffe is particularly effective for investment and retail banks, and senior individuals within those organisations, and regularly advises on potentially reputational threatening cultural issues and conduct risk cases. Caroline Hunter-Yeats and Tim Boyce co-head the overarching team alongside Sutcliffe and are noted for consumer duty and banking litigation skills, respectively. Douglas Robinson is skilled at managing litigation alongside concurrent regulatory enforcement actions and has a niche focus advising on contentious matters within the fintech and crypto space.

Leveraging ‘tremendous strength-in-depth’ at a partner and associate level, Slaughter and May has the resources and expertise to handle large-scale domestic and multi-jurisdictional regulatory enforcement actions and pursuant civil litigation. Appreciated for her ‘deft strategic instincts’, Gayathri Kamalanathan exemplifies this ability to guide banking clients through multi-headed disputes. The ‘very clever’ Ewan Brown also excels at representing banks in various regulatory and governmental investigations, including into allegations of attempts to manipulate FX rates. Jonathan Clark is a ‘great litigator’ whose recent work has focused on large-scale market manipulation matters for banks. Other recommended practitioners include Holly Ware, who excels at handling bribery and corruption, market abuse and money laundering cases; Ross Francis-Pike, who provides ‘detailed and forensic’ advice to retail banks, among others; and Deborah Finkler, who has vast experience in the field. Richard Swallow heads up the overarching disputes and investigations group.

Drawing upon a ‘good breadth and depth of expertise’, Stephenson Harwood provides ‘incredibly responsive, pragmatic and commercial’ advice to individuals and entities facing regulatory scrutiny. Sean Jeffrey is ‘very knowledgeable’ across an array of regulatory and fraud issues facing the sector and has achieved very favourable results for clients in both FCA enforcement matters and S166 reviews. Recognised as a ‘terrific strategist’, team head Justin McClelland is ‘perfect for any really tough financial services dispute’, including those with an international dimension and/or parallel regulatory enforcement actions and civil disputes. Alan Ward is ‘clever, savvy and hardworking’, and continues to gain market recognition as a result of his work for individuals and entities subject to regulatory and criminal investigations, as well as in internal investigations.

Drawing upon ‘strong experience and industry insights’, Addleshaw Goddard is able to provide ‘added value and pragmatic legal advice’ to a range of financial services clients, including retail banks and building societies. David Pygott ‘combines huge experience and intellectual rigour with outstanding client focus’ and is a popular choice to represent entities accused of market abuse, the handling of inside information, and AML infractions. Pygott is also at the cutting-edge of market developments, as demonstrated by his involvement in high-profile debanking matters. The ‘very thorough, proactive, and pragmatic’ Sarah Thomas is also a key member of the team and, as well as handling work for banks and building societies, regularly provides boardroom advice to listed companies regarding allegations of market misconduct, including insider dealing.

The ‘flexible and very client-focused’ team at Baker McKenzie provides ‘insightful and commercially minded advice’ to an eclectic mix of financial services clients, including banks and individuals facing complex and high-profile regulatory enforcement cases and internal and external investigations. Drawing upon a ‘wealth of experience and technical knowledge’, developed both in private practice and in-house at a leading bank, Jonathan Peddie is very sensitive to the commercial realities of clients in the space and is adept at advising on both civil and criminal matters. Philip Annett has ‘excellent regulatory insight’, in part due to his former work at the FCA, and is favoured by clients for his ‘very user-friendly and commercial’ advice for clients often involving cross-border issues.

Despite the recent retirement of Peter Bibby and the departure of Chloe Pawson Pounds, the small partner-led team at Brown Rudnick LLP maintains significant visibility in the market, chiefly as a result of the ‘conscientious and thorough’ Ian Weinstein, who is now practice head. ‘Thoughtful and wise in tricky scenarios’, Weinstein regularly acts for senior executives and banks in FCA investigations and enforcements. He is also noted for his ability to ‘master even the largest and most complex financial services disputes and find the winning points’. Chloë Kealey is ‘detailed and forensic’ in her representation of clients both in criminal and regulatory enforcement actions.

The ‘exceptionally strong’ team at Dentons has ‘rich experience of extremely complex and high-value disputes’ for a varied array of clients in the sector, including asset managers, banks and brokers. As well as assisting clients in investigations before the FCA, it also acts for the regulator itself in some high-profile matters. ‘Brilliant’ team head Katharine Harle is noted for her work defending financial services clients in enforcement actions and investigations concerning market misconduct and non-financial misconduct. The ‘intellectually brilliant’ Lara Seabourne leads the firm’s relationship with the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and has consequently handled a significant amount of judicial review matters. Recently made up to partner, Zeena Saleh is ‘proving herself on bigger cases’, both for the FCA and in matters adverse to the regulator.

Forming a very cohesive unit alongside the firm’s advisory team and collaborating with transactional finance experts, DLA Piper has a deep understanding of the underlying products and is well-positioned to advise banks and insurers across the full scope of their contentious issues. It handles risk management and supervisory work at one end of the spectrum through to major enforcement actions at the other. ‘Savvy and strategically minded’ team head Tony Katz has vast experience handling both domestic and international regulatory investigations, as well as being instructed by the FCA to conduct investigations as a “skilled person”. The team is also able to leverage expertise from its international and regional offices, with Edinburgh-based Stuart Murdoch particularly skilled in this area. Other niche areas of expertise include contentious work in the cyber security and fintech space.

Fox Williams LLP has ‘great insight’ into the financial services sector and provides ‘very articulate advice’ to senior executives, neo and challenger banks, and mid-range investment firms subject to FCA, SFO and PRA investigations and enforcement actions. ‘Very user-friendly’ team head Sona Ganatra is an ‘expert in the field’, including in relation to non-financial misconduct, as well as for fintech clients undergoing investigation or supervisory intervention by the FCA. Sebastian Sayer has a strong appreciation of the inner workings of the regulator, having formerly been in-house at the FCA; he has recently been involved in numerous regulatory investigations for individuals at investment banks with regard to AML infractions. Peter Wright has significant gravitas in the sector and, in his role as senior consultant, remains involved in FCA enforcement investigations and related civil and criminal proceedings.

Kingsley Napley LLP provides ‘high-quality advice’ to individuals, particularly in the context of contentious financial services matters where accusations of criminality are involved. As well as continuing to regularly handle fraud-related enforcement actions, the firm is increasingly prominent at handling non-financial misconduct matters and has developed a discrete sexual misconduct group bringing together criminal, regulatory and employment specialists to assist senior managers navigate these potentially career-ending allegations. ‘Brilliant’ team head Jill Lorimer  is a ‘clear-headed and insightful lawyer’, traits which are invaluable for individuals accused of insider dealing and market abuse, as well as small-mid-sized authorised firms facing FCA regulatory scrutiny. Drawing upon skills developed in-house at the FCA’s enforcement team, James Alleyne is able to provide excellent insight for clients facing regulatory enforcement proceedings, particularly in relation to supervisory matters. As well as handling conventional fraud and market abuse cases, he also has a keen interest in ESG matters and regularly advises clients accused of “greenwashing”. Louise Hodges  heads up the criminal litigation offering.

 

Under the expert guidance of Andrea Monks, Latham & Watkins specialises in handling high-stakes regulatory enforcement actions and associated litigation for myriad large banks, asset managers and funds. The firm also excels at handling internal investigations into workplace culture, an area in which Nell Perks is very skilled, in addition to her work advising clients on ESG risk. Leveraging the credentials of its very accomplished fintech advisory and transactional group, the team is also well-placed to advise payment companies and crypto exchanges, inter alia, on associated contentious matters. The firm’s extensive global network sees the team is handle cross-border matters, utilising its expertise with regulators and law enforcement across major financial hubs to manage intricate issues spanning various jurisdictions.

Leveraging ‘incredible depth of industry and sector knowledge’, developed in private practice and in-house at various regulatory bodies, Pinsent Masons LLP provides ‘workable commercial solutions’ for insurers, banks and pension providers when faced with systemic regulatory risk events and collateral customer actions. Key to the team’s success in this regard is the work of the ‘calm and unflappable’ Jonathan Cavill, who devises overarching strategies for clients aimed at minimising formal regulatory enforcement actions or civil litigation. Cavill also has core litigation expertise both in the context of FCA enforcement actions, as well as in Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) matters, including challenging their decisions through judicial review. Formerly a senior regulator at the London Stock Exchange and Financial Ombudsman, Anthony Harrison is also a well-respected member of the group, as is Colin Read, who heads up the Insurance, Regulation and Funds team, which houses the financial services contentious regulatory offering.

Able to draw upon expertise spread throughout the firm’s international network, Reed Smith LLP is well-positioned to represent clients, including banks, broker-dealers, listed corporates and accountancy firms, in both domestic and multi-jurisdictional agency investigations and follow-on litigation. Robert Falkner is a ‘pleasure to work with’ and delivers highly strategic advice to clients faced with allegations across a range of regulatory misdeeds, including insider dealing and market abuse. Charles Hewetson is also recommended and excels in handling international anti-bribery and anti-corruption investigations.

Leveraging a ‘winning combination of experience, ability and client engagement’, Travers Smith LLP‘s cross-practice group, which fuses together its financial services and markets and commercial litigation offerings, provides ‘commercial advice’ to banks, brokers and fund managers, inter alia. Rob Fell has, over the years, been involved in many high-profile internal and regulatory investigations. Toby Robinson is a ‘tough and respected litigator with excellent judgement’, which endears him to banking clients facing enforcement action brought by the FCA, including with regard to market abuse. Stephanie Lee is also recommended. Heather Gagen heads the team.

Combining ‘US law firm heft coupled with gold-standard UK lawyers’, WilmerHale excels in representing financial services entities and senior executives in large-scale regulatory investigations and enforcements. In this context, the team is particularly effective in helping clients navigate matters with regulatory and criminal implications, through large-scale internal or regulatory agency-led investigations. The ‘hugely impressive and experienced’ Richard Burger ‘will leave no stone unturned in achieving the best for his clients’. He has vast experience defending clients before a range of regulatory bodies including FCA, SFO and the US DOJ. Hot on the heels of Burger’s arrival from DWF in January 2023, the firm welcomed the arrival of Imogen Makin from the same firm in January 2024. Makin is also noted for her aptitude at handling global investigations. The ‘legendary’ Stephen Pollard co-heads the team alongside Burger and is able to leverage ‘deep experience across the regulatory and criminal divide’. 

The ‘nimble and astute’ team at Akin works on its own and often alongside its US-based colleagues to provide ‘sensible, commercial solutions’ to banks and funds across a range of purely domestic and cross-border contentious financial services matters. ‘Hardworking’ team head Helen Marshall provides ‘user-friendly advice’ and is noted, in particular, for her robust defence of asset management clients facing regulatory scrutiny. Counsel Joe Hewton has a ‘particular flair for intricate regulatory applications’ and is the key contact within the practice in relation to UK and US matters.

The ‘highly experienced and agile’ team at City-based boutique Bivonas Law LLP provides ‘practically oriented and bespoke advice’ to individuals facing regulatory scrutiny in relation to fraud and market abuse infractions, among others. The firm is noted for its flexibility and ability to pivot between disciplines, ensuring that clients are able to receive a one-stop-shop service on both civil and criminal matters. Leveraging ‘tremendous analytical and strategic acumen’, managing partner Cindy Dorrington is adept at dealing with FCA investigations, including in relation to insider dealing, and is noted for her ability to ‘help clients to avoid difficulties at an early stage’. Roland Ellis is a ‘very versatile’ litigator, who handles both FCA investigations as well as broader commercial litigation within the industry.

Drawing upon 'excellent technical skill and commercial nous', commercial litigation boutique Cooke, Young & Keidan LLP provides 'client-focused, streamlined and commercial' advice to corporates and individuals across a range of complex supervisory and enforcement proceedings and associated litigation. Under the guidance of 'intelligent, sensible and commercial' team head Stephen Elam, the practice continues to grow its expertise in the crypto currency space, an area that the 'very impressive' Sam Roberts is particularly adept. Unfettered by any conflicts, the firm also excels at prosecuting complex and significant claims against banks.

 

White-collar and regulatory boutique Corker Binning provides ‘high-quality’ advice to individuals in high-stakes regulatory investigations and enforcement actions, many of which often involve multi-faceted, cross-border issues and an involvement with overlapping regulatory agency scrutiny. Drawing upon her former in-house regulatory prowess, ‘brilliant’ team head Claire Cross has excellent insight into the machinations of the FCA. Cross excels in advising clients on cross-over criminal and regulatory matters, including as it relates to insider dealing and market abuse, as well as increasingly issues relating to non-financial misconduct. Recognised as one of the best white-collar lawyers in the market, Peter Binning is the ‘go-to person with high stakes matters and high-profile clients’. Nick Barnard has ‘great instincts’ and is an up-and-coming member of the team as a result of his ‘breadth of experience across regulatory and criminal investigations’.

DAC Beachcroft LLP is experienced at helping clients navigate a wide range of contentious regulatory matters, with work covering the full spectrum of the FCA process, as well as SFO and HMRC investigations. As part of her broad practice, which also includes regulatory enforcement actions and associated litigation, Angela Hayes regularly handles internal investigations for large financial institutions, regularly working alongside the firm’s employment team on non-financial misconduct cases. Jonathan Brogden co-heads the team alongside Hayes and defends both individuals and entities in regulatory and criminal investigations and prosecutions, often involving an international complexion.

Led by Simon Lafferty, the ‘highly intelligent’ team at Fieldfisher provides an ‘extremely efficient’ service to a wide range of entities, including retail asset managers and City broker dealers, on their dealings with the FCA. The team is often successful in remediating problems when faced with intervention action. Duncan Black is ‘calm, considered and informed’, melding his advisory and contentious expertise to good effect for clients facing regulatory scrutiny, including in relation to allegations of market abuse, and seeking to minimise the punitive effect of such action. Formerly in-house at the FCA, the ‘knowledgeable, practical and determined’ Sam Clyndes has excellent insight into the regulator’s mindset and has been pivotal to the firm’s success for clients facing intervention action.

Increasingly visible in the market following some notable hires in recent years, the ‘proactive and commercial’ team at Greenberg Traurig, LLP excels in defending individuals and entities across a wide array of contentious regulatory issues, as well as white-collar matters. Team head Matt Hancock has a ‘down-to-earth, pragmatic approach to difficult issues’, be it in relation to high-profile market abuse allegations or in the context of the regulatory rules under the Senior Managers Regime. Katharine Bond is ‘very supportive and hardworking’ in her efforts on behalf of senior individuals responding to regulatory scrutiny, including where it overlaps with employment issues.

Leveraging the firm’s market-leading transactional offering in the private equity space, Kirkland & Ellis International LLP provides ‘practical and commercially-oriented advice’ to some of these clients, and their associated portfolio companies, on any contentious regulatory issues that may arise. The team is, however, by no means limited to this segment of the market and handles complex internal investigations on non-financial misconduct issues. The ‘very client friendly and uber responsive’ Julia Dixon has been pivotal to the firm’s success since joining several years ago from Linklaters LLP, combining both contentious and broader regulatory advisory prowess. Marcus Thompson co-heads the team alongside Dixon and provides ‘commercially very astute advice’ to clients on business-related criminal matters, including anti-money laundering, anti-bribery and corruption.

Led from London by Alistair Graham and Chris Chapman, Mayer Brown International LLP regularly advises large global banks, insurers and asset managers on regulatory enforcement matters. The team is able to leverage significant international resources across Europe, Asia and the US, often handling matters that involve a multi-jurisdictional component. Noted for his technical knowledge, ‘pragmatism and commercial approach’, Chapman is key to this work and also regularly handles significant internal investigations probing into non-financial misconduct and insider dealing allegations, inter alia.

Sidley Austin LLP maintains a strong practice on behalf of large, sophisticated international entities and individuals seeking advice and representation when faced with reputation or career threatening issues, often at the intersection of financial crime and regulatory enforcement. Much of this work is of a cross-border nature, with the team working well with other offices including in the US and Asia. Sara George is ‘truly exceptional’ and has vast experience representing clients accused of a variety of regulatory infractions, including as they relate to insider trading, market manipulation and money laundering.

The ‘very helpful’ team at Squire Patton Boggs has ‘a broad depth of experience’, ensuring it is well-positioned to represent financial services entities in regulatory and criminal enforcement actions, as well as internal investigations. The ‘very experienced and talented’ Hannah Laming has been pivotal to the firm’s enhanced market reputation, since joining from Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP in mid-2022. Laming is recognised as ‘an absolute star to have in your corner – whether it’s leading an investigation or defending individuals’. With a reputation for being ‘sensible but hard-headed’, Chris Webber is also a key member of the team across both banking litigation and regulatory enforcement and intervention matters, as well as Skilled Person Reviews.

Under the leadership of ‘absolute superstar’ Harvey Knight, Withers LLP provides ‘clear and well-intended advice’ to senior executives facing regulatory scrutiny. Recognised as ‘one of the few lawyers who really understands how to defend individuals against the bulwark of the regulator’, Knight continues to regularly elicit excellent wins before the FCA and PRA in potentially career-threatening cases.

Spread among its London and Bristol offices, the ‘highly commercial’ eight-strong team at Burges Salmon LLP provides a ‘very high-quality work product’ to entities responding to regulatory probes. The practice is also instructed by regulatory bodies, including the FSCS. Team head Matthew Kaltsas-Walker is ‘very smart and impressive’ and takes the lead on the FSCS work. He is also the main contact for insurance litigation, acting for policyholders in claims against insurers and brokers.

The ‘incredibly innovative’ team at boutique law firm Constantine Law Limited provides ‘a bespoke client service’ to individuals, in particular, subject to internal investigations and FCA enforcement actions. ‘Shrewd and tenacious’ team head Sarah Wallace has deep knowledge of FCA regulations and is recognised as a ‘tough and respected opponent’, including in cases relating to insider dealing allegations. The team also often works closely with its employment offering on disciplinary matters.

Combining ‘legal rigour, collegiate spirit, and real concern for clients’, Gowling WLG has developed a strong reputation advising individuals and regulated firms subject to FCA/PRA supervision and enforcement matters. In addition, it has capability in more niche areas, including advice on contentious fintech mandates. Team head James Sidwell combines ‘great legal knowledge, excellent judgment, and strong analytical skills’. 

Combining professional regulatory and white-collar criminal law expertise, Hickman & Rose has a good reputation advising senior executives in high-profile FCA and FRC enforcement matters, striking ‘a good balance of big picture and strategy with amazing attention to detail’. Key contacts include ‘exceptionally dedicated and talented’ team head Andrew Katzen; co-founding partner Ben Rose, who ‘has an incredible level of experience and knowledge across criminal and regulatory contentious FS work’; and ‘exceptional lawyer and tactician’ Claire Wallace.

With its relatively small London-based practice, King & Spalding LLP punches above its weight; the team leverages its wider commercial litigation offering, as well as its US offices, and is well-suited to advising both entities and senior individuals in cross-border matters. Many of the matters have potential criminal exposure, including recent work regarding allegations of money laundering, “spoofing” and market manipulation. Dual US and UK-qualified partner Aaron Stephens heads up the team and ‘brings an infectious enthusiasm to every case’.

Milbank provides an ‘excellent client service’ to institutions and individuals facing domestic regulatory scrutiny, while the firm’s transatlantic operations uniquely position it to effectively manage tasks that have implications in both the UK and the US. William Charles is ‘especially skilled at instilling a sense of confidence in people making decisions in complex and tense circumstances’. His workflow includes regulatory and internal investigations for institutions and employees spanning a wide range of issues, including allegations of “spoofing” and misuse of price-sensitive information. In his role as head of the London litigation and arbitration team, Julian Stait regularly handles banking disputes.

Established in 2022, litigation boutique Pallas Partners LLP has hit the ground running, providing ‘clear and direct advice’ to individuals and entities facing domestic and international regulatory challenges. ‘Very commercial and practical’ dual US and UK-qualified partner Matt Getz is key to much of this work and is particularly noted for his cross-border sanctions expertise. The ‘extremely strategic’ Tracey Dovaston co-heads the team alongside Getz and ‘really knows what businesses are concerned about’, making her an ideal choice to handle internal investigations, including with regard to non-financial misconduct allegations. Alessia de Quincey ‘is also very skilled and definitely one to watch’. 

The ‘excellent’ practice at boutique litigation firm Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP provides ‘user friendly and knowledgeable’ advice to corporate entities and individuals subject to criminal, regulatory and internal investigations, both domestically and abroad. The ‘outstanding’ Anna Bradshaw is ‘highly skilled at running complex cases’, including those that involve financial crime or that overlap with sanctions violations. Team head Neil Swift is particularly skilled at representing individuals accused of financial crime, both at an early stage through an internal investigation, as well as in enforcement proceedings brought by agencies including the SFO and FCA.

Shoosmiths LLP is particularly active advising foreign banks, with a retail function, and wealth management firms on risk management strategies associated with the FCA’s new Consumer Duty rules. ‘Outstanding’ team head Daren Allen has been taking the lead on this work and also has experience representing clients in investigations, regulatory enforcement proceedings and litigation. Andrew Bowden-Brown is also a key part of the team and regularly assists asset-based lenders to bring claims for fraud perpetrated against them by customers.