Counting international blue-chip corporations and household names among its impressive roster of clients, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP maintains a market-leading white-collar crime practice praised by clients for its ‘world-leading expertise channelled into pragmatic and useful advice’. Advice regarding DPAs, AML, and international sanctions form core pillars of work for the team, which is jointly led by co-managing partner Lord Peter Goldsmith KC and Karolos Seeger; Seeger leads the London white-collar and regulatory defence group, and has notable experience handling internal investigations concerning corrupt practices legislation. Jane Shvets is another key name here, and also takes point on cross-border investigations, attracting praise for her ‘outstanding‘ experience. For sanctions instructions, anti-corruption investigations, and compliance matters, Konstantin Bureiko is the name to note.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, praised for its ‘extraordinary strength in depth‘, regularly acts for leading corporates and entities across the manufacturing, banking, oil and gas, and banking industries, with a focus on high-profile and cross-border investigations. Under the leadership of the ‘outstanding‘ Susannah Cogman, the team has recently seen an uptick in instructions concerning money laundering compliance and sanctions advisory work. Cogman works alongside the ‘world-class‘ Brian Spiro, who is highly regarded for his expertise in national and international agency investigations, and Kate Meakin, who advises corporations and financial institutions on fraud, corruption, and sanctions issues. With notable emphasis on UK and EU sanctions, Elizabeth Head is another name to note here.

Fielding an ‘excellent diverse team with a wealth of knowledge,’ Simmons & Simmons expertly handles bet-the-company criminal and regulatory matters for a diverse roster of blue-chip clients. The group sits within the firm’s broader disputes and investigations team and also collaborates closely with its international network of offices. Practice head Camilla de Silva leverages her in-agency experience from the SFO to advise private sector and government clients on regulatory enforcement actions and internal investigations. Cherie Spinks attracts praise for her ‘unmatched’ expertise in sanctions and money laundering issues, Nick Benwell is a key name for multijurisdictional investigations, while Emily Agnoli is regularly instructed by clients in the energy, tech, and pharma sectors. They work alongside a strong group of ‘terrific associates’, including Tom Bowen, praised for his ‘fearsome ability’, and Alexandra Webster, another key contact for AML and sanctions mandates.

Regularly representing multinational corporations, financial institutions, and public bodies in financial regulatory and corporate crime investigations and criminal proceedings, Slaughter and May fields a ‘world-class‘ disputes and investigations team with a ‘wealth of experience‘ in the space. Jonathan Cotton, who clients describe as ‘highly intelligent with excellent judgement‘, and Richard Swallow have extensive experience acting as coordinating counsel in cross-border investigations and regulatory matters, while Ewan Brown takes point on DPAs. Cotton, Brown, and Swallow now jointly lead the team. Other key individuals include Holly Ware, recommended for bribery and corruption issues, and Gayathri Kamalanathan, who regularly acts for financial institutions; Ella Williams is another key name here, while Nicholas Querée ably assists on agency-facing investigations.

The global investigations team at Addleshaw Goddard expertly handles a broad range of corporate crime mandates, including international sanctions issues, contentious financial services regulatory matters, and investigations. The highly regarded Michelle de Kluyver, described by clients as a ‘superstar of the field’, oversees the team; de Kluyver takes point on cross-border financial crime investigations, as well as compliance and governance issues. Working alongside her is Nichola Peters, whose extensive expertise encompasses DPAs, corporate advisory work, and investigations into corruption, sanctions violations, terrorist financing, and fraud. Polly Sprenger is a key name for private prosecutions as well as complex fraud and workplace misconduct investigations. Also in the core team is Neeta Chityal, who was promoted to partner in May 2023; Chityal is a key contact for financial institutions seeking advice on cross-border corporate crime and regulatory investigations.

Jointly led by contentious financial services expert Calum Burnett and seasoned litigator Arnondo Chakrabarti, A&O Shearman’s regulatory investigations and corporate crime offering spans the full range of relevant advice for corporate clients in the financial services, pharma, tech, and mining sectors. Leveraging its global network of offices, the group is particularly well-placed to advise on multijurisdictional investigations and criminal proceedings. The highly regarded Eve Giles is a core member of the team, and has a broad practice with an emphasis on corporate cases concerning cartels, corruption, money laundering, and insider dealing issues. Another key individual is Jonathan Hitchin, noted for his cartel investigations expertise.

Baker McKenzie LLP fields an investigations, compliance, and ethics practice with a strong track record advising household names on the full gamut of corporate crime matters, including whistleblower issues, asset freezing orders, and bribery, corruption, and fraud investigations. Key individuals in London include Joanna Ludlam, who takes point on regulatory compliance matters, corporate criminal liability issues, and crisis and reputation management; Charles Thomson, who handles multijurisdictional fraud investigations; Jonathan Peddie, a key contact for financial institutions; and Sunny Mann, a key contact for sanctions, export control, and bribery compliance and investigations. Ludlam, Thomson, Peddie, and Mann jointly oversee the team. The team has recently seen an increase in instructions related to international sanctions and money laundering issues.

With notable strength in the financial services space, Clifford Chance LLP’s regulatory investigations and financial crime offering spans the full range of relevant issues, including allegations of bribery, corruption, and tax evasion. Advice concerning international sanctions and issues concerning securities fraud constitute further significant pillars of work for the team; export control specialist Michael Lyons is a key contact here. Practice head Luke Tolaini is the name to note for internal investigations and crisis management instructions, while Christopher David takes point on insider dealing, tax evasion, cartel, and money laundering mandates.

Roger Burlingame heads up the financial crime and investigations offering at Dechert LLP, which leverages the firm’s global network of offices to expertly handle multijurisdictional investigations, regulatory enforcement actions, and criminal proceedings with ‘real commercial savvy’. With notable strength in the aviation sector, ESG, cryptocurrencies, and sanctions issues also feature prominently in the group’s recent caseload. Former DoJ prosecutor Burlingame advises UK and European corporate clients facing investigations by the US government, while Evan Flowers is a key contact for clients in the financial services, energy, and healthcare industries. Former practice head Judith Seddon and Matthew Banham left the team in March 2024, while Matthew Cowie departed in November 2023.

Described by its clients as a ‘powerhouse for advice to corporates on corporate crime’, Hogan Lovells International LLP runs the gamut of corporate and financial crime issues, handling enforcement issues, whistleblowing matters, criminal liability cases, and internal investigations. Liam Naidoo heads up the team and has a particular focus on advising corporate clients on corruption issues and other financial crime. Claire Lipworth, who clients laud for her ‘unrivalled experience and knowledge of the field’, has in-agency prosecutorial experience from the FCA; Lipworth is a key contact for money laundering and fraud issues. Naidoo and Lipworth work alongside the ‘tactically astute and highly intelligent‘ Olga Tocewicz, who ably assists on multijurisdictional investigations and enforcement actions.

Highly regarded for its risk advisory capabilities, the government, regulatory, and internal investigations offering at Kirkland & Ellis International LLP stands out for its strength in handling non-financial misconduct investigations, an area of recent focus for the group. Marcus Thompson leads the team and is a seasoned financial crime specialist, with particular expertise advising private equity clients on business crime and risk mitigation. Patrick Navein’s expertise encompasses corporate compliance, money laundering issues, and economic sanctions; the latter is another core pillar of work for the group, with Shruti Chandhok being another name to note here. Satnam Tumani and Andrew Butel left the team in December 2023.

With notable industry experience across the tech, media, energy, and banking sectors, Linklaters LLP’s financial crime offering runs the gamut of criminal and regulatory investigations. Practice head Alison Wilson specialises in FCA enforcement actions and investigations, while seasoned financial services regulatory expert Martyn Hopper is a key contact for financial institutions. The ‘utterly brilliant‘ Alison Saunders leverages her prosecutorial experience from the CPS to advise on criminal fraud, proceeds of crime, and environmental matters, while the ‘wonderfully erudite‘ Elly Proudlock is the name to note for SFO investigations. The group has also recently seen an increase in instructions relating to environmental investigations, financial crime controls, and economic sanctions issues. Satindar Dogra, lauded for his ‘uncompromising knowledge of the law‘, leads the firm’s sanctions sub-group.

Norton Rose Fulbright regularly handles corporate criminal liability, sanctions and international trade issues, and multijurisdictional fraud investigations work for leading clients in the financial services sector. The group is also well-placed to advise on follow-on civil disputes arising out of criminal and regulatory matters. ‘Vastly experienced‘ criminal and regulatory specialist Neil O’May handles DPAs, SFO self-reports, and high-profile financial criminal litigation. David Harris takes point on contentious financial services work, while Andrew Reeves is the name to note for criminal and regulatory investigations. O’May, Harris, and Reeves jointly oversee the team. Stuart Neely, who was elevated to the partnership in 2023, handles AML, fraud, and ESG-related matters, while Claudia Van Gruisen’s expertise encompasses corporate manslaughter, bribery, and corruption issues. Pamela Reddy left the team in December 2023.

The investigations and white-collar defence offering at Paul Hastings LLP acts for leading manufacturers, media corporations, tech companies, and clients in the financial sector. ‘Superb lawyer and brilliant leader‘ Jonathan Pickworth heads up the team and focuses on AML, tax evasion, fraud, and corruption matters. Pickworth works alongside Joanna Dimmock, noted for her expertise in international corruption, cartels, extradition, and sanctions issues, and Morgan Miller, who splits his time between the firm’s London and Washington DC offices. Arun Srivastava is a key name for regulatory issues. Former prosecutor Stuart Alford KC joined from Latham & Watkins in February 2024, strengthening the firm’s global investigations offering. Other core members of the team include Tom Hickey, who handles internal investigations, and experienced litigator Adina Ezekiel. Rebecca Copcutt left the team in April 2023.

Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP fields a ‘superb team with wonderful talent at all levels’ that is routinely instructed to act on the full gamut of criminal disputes and investigations, as well as financial crime compliance issues. ‘Vastly experienced’ practice head Nick Vamos has a broad practice encompassing investment fraud, sanctions violations, and extradition issues, while senior partner Michael O’Kane leverages his in-agency experience as a prosecutor at the CPS to advise on the full range of corporate crime issues, particularly multijurisdictional and cross-border instructions. Maria Cronin, a ‘true expert in her field’, is the name to note for international corruption and money-laundering matters, while Jasvinder Nakhwal takes point on regulatory investigations, asset seizure matters, and extradition issues.

Fielding an ‘incredibly focused, hard-working‘ team, Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP stands out for its strength in transatlantic anti-bribery and corruption, AML, and sanctions investigations, particularly for clients operating in the energy and heavy industry sectors. ‘Stand-out’ senior partner Peter Burrell leads the group and regularly defends companies before the SFO, FCA, and HMRC, as well as appearing before the High Court on cases concerning financial fraud, securities, tax evasion, and insider dealing issues. Rita Mitchell, dual-qualified in the UK and the US, has a notable emphasis on multijurisdictional internal investigations and enforcement proceedings, while Simon Osborn-King takes point on financial crime work for financial institutions.

The ‘highly proactive’ enforcement and dispute resolution offering at Arnold & Porter counts multinational corporates operating in the tech, pharma, and oil and gas sectors among its strong roster of clients. The ‘formidable‘ Kathleen Harris heads up the team; Harris’ expertise encompasses the full range of regulatory, compliance, and enforcement matters, including fraud, AML, bribery, and corruption issues. Working alongside her is Sean Curran, lauded by clients for his ‘very keen forensic mind’, who takes point on cross-border and multijurisdictional cases. Additionally, the group handles a high volume of sanctions-related matters, including compliance reviews and internal investigations into possible sanctions violations.

The growing corporate crime and investigations practice at Ashurst excels across the spectrum of multijurisdictional investigations and financial crime issues, handling large-scale SFO fraud and bribery investigations, non-financial misconduct, as well as economic sanctions matters. Practice head Ruby Hamid has extensive experience handling the full gamut of criminal and investigatory mandates, particularly for financial institutions as well as clients in the energy, finance, and infrastructure sectors. Hamid works alongside Judith Seddon, described by clients as ‘a force to be reckoned with’, who joined the team in March 2024; Seddon’s expertise encompasses AML and sanctions compliance, internal investigations, and the defence of clients facing SFO, FCA, and HMRC actions.

The regulatory and investigations team at Clyde & Co acts for corporations across a diverse array of sectors, including the trade and commodities, energy and natural resources, insurance, and aviation industries. Instructions regarding allegations of market abuse, corruption, and insider dealing form core pillars of work for the team. John Whittaker is a key individual for international trade issues, including sanctions compliance and AML, while Rachel Cropper-Mawer takes point on regulatory investigations. Charles Kuhn, who also heads up the firm’s private prosecutions offering, has notable expertise in sanctions, securities litigation, and market abuse issues; the trio jointly oversee the practice.

The ‘experienced, commercially savvy, and strategic‘ Eoin O’Shea heads up the risk and investigations offering at CMS, which has a strong track record advising clients in HMRC, SFO, EA, and HSE investigations. O’Shea is a fraud specialist whose recent caseload also includes sanctions advisory work. Omar Qureshi is a key contact for compliance matters, while Amy Wilkinson specialises in internal investigations into bribery, fraud, and accounting irregularities. The core team also includes barrister Kitty St Aubyn and digital fraud specialist Josie Welland.

Regularly instructed by major clients in the consultancy, finance, media, and tech sectors, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher has notable experience acting as coordinating counsel in large-scale global investigations. Philip Rocher heads up the team, which also includes seasoned litigator Sacha Harber-Kelly. Patrick Doris is a key contact for cross-border bribery and corruption investigations as well as contentious antitrust matters, and Allan Neil advises financial institutions on compliance matters and multijurisdictional disputes, while Matthew Nunan is the name to note for financial services regulatory work.

Working in close collaboration with the firm’s US offices, Greenberg Traurig, LLP maintains an ‘outstanding‘ white-collar crime and investigations practice with strength in cross-border mandates. Rebecca Meads oversees the department and her experience encompasses anti-bribery and corruption, AML, and asset freezing matters. Meads works alongside the ‘highly capable‘ Alex Swan, who handles tax investigations, compliance programmes, and due diligence instructions.

The ‘highly responsive, strategic and collaborative‘ investigations, enforcement, and white-collar defence team at HFW stands out for its notable sector strength across the shipping, commodities, aerospace, and insurance industries. Notably, sanctions advice for clients in the commodities and shipping sectors constitute core pillars of work for the team. ‘Enormously experienced‘ practice head Barry Vitou has a strong track record advising corporations on the pre-charge stages of criminal investigations, while Anne-Marie Ottaway is the name to note for instructions relating to financial and trade sanctions.

With strength in the life sciences and tech industries, the white-collar defence and investigations team at Latham & Watkins regularly handles multijurisdictional corruption and fraud investigations. Anti-corruption specialist Nathan Seltzer now co-heads the team alongside Pamela Reddy, who joined the firm from Norton Rose Fulbright in January 2024. Reddy, described by clients as ‘a force to be reckoned with‘, acts for global corporations throughout all stages of an investigation, including at the interview and trial stages. The core team also includes Clare Nida, who handles both internal and agency investigations for clients in the US and the UK. Stuart Alford KC left the team in December 2023.

Acting for financial institutions, private equity companies, and corporate clients in the energy and manufacturing sectors, Macfarlanes LLP fields a strong corporate crime practice with notable emphasis on AML and sanctions issues. Lorna Emson heads up the team and has a notable focus on fraud and financial crime work. New partner Nikolas Ireland is another name to note for fraud issues. Francis Bond takes point on matters concerning overseas confiscation and restraint orders, Interpol Red Notices, and sanctions issues, while Helen Harvey has a focus on HMRC investigations. Former practice head Neill Blundell left the team in March 2024.

Mishcon de Reya LLP’s white-collar crime and investigations team has a strong track record defending clients in SFO prosecutions, FCA investigations, and notable extradition cases. ‘Outstanding‘ practice head Johanna Walsh has extensive experience advising SMEs and large multinational companies on allegations of fraud and corruption. Walsh works alongside Matthew Ewens, whose recent caseload includes several money laundering investigations in the cryptocurrency space. Also in the core team is Kizzy Augustin, a name to note for health and safety-related instructions, and Min Wiggins, who defends individuals and corporates in criminal fraud proceedings. Alison Geary left the team in January 2023.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP leverages the strength of its global network of offices to advise on the full range of sanctions, tax evasion, fraud and corruption, and other financial crime issues with an international element. Chris Warren-Smith heads up the team and takes point of cross-border investigations and proceedings for clients in the financial services sector. Warren-Smith works alongside Paul Mesquitta, whose broad practice encompasses commercial litigation, international arbitration, and insurance disputes.

Sam Tate leads the ‘talented‘ white-collar and financial crime team at RPC, which maintains a strong reputation for its expertise in HMRC tax fraud investigations. Tate has notable experience advising on DPAs and works alongside financial crime litigation specialist Michelle Sloane and the ‘outstanding‘ Adam Craggs, who also leads the firm’s tax disputes team. Thomas Jenkins is the name to note for anti-corruption investigations as well as compliance programmes, while Lucy Kerr’s expertise encompasses anti-bribery and corruption mandates.

Ryan Junck heads up the ‘admirable‘ global white-collar defence and investigations team at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP, which stands out for its strength in cross-border and multijurisdictional matters. Junck regularly advises on compliance reviews and corporate governance matters, and his expertise encompasses insider trading, financial fraud, corruption, and money laundering issues. Andrew Good is regularly instructed by financial institutions facing SEC and DoJ investigations, while Vanessa McGoldrick is a name to note for cross-border regulatory and criminal bribery and corruption, tax evasion, and money laundering matters. Elizabeth Robertson left the team in December 2023.

Stephenson Harwood is regularly instructed to advise investment clients, large banks, retailers, and asset management companies on the full range of corporate crime issues. Justin McClelland heads up the team and handles cartel issues, market misconduct work, and internal investigations, attracting praise for his ‘impeccable judgement’. Sean Jeffrey takes point on matters concerning financial sanctions, while the ‘immensely knowledgeable and hardworking‘ Alan Ward is routinely instructed by financial institutions on multijurisdictional regulatory investigations. 2023 saw the firm strengthening its financial regulatory offering with the arrival of the ‘outstanding‘ David Capps, previously at Ashurst. Tony Woodcock left the team in 2023.

Jonah Anderson and Anneka Randhawa jointly lead the ‘extremely responsive and flexible‘ white-collar and investigations practice at White & Case LLP, which leverages the firm’s global network of offices to provide a strong multijurisdictional offering. Anti-money laundering specialist Anderson focuses on investigations, compliance, and due diligence issues, often with a cross-border element, while the ‘incredibly industrious‘ Randhawa takes point on financial crime and criminal defence work. Neill Blundell joined the firm from Macfarlanes LLP in March 2024, strengthening its sanctions, regulatory defence, and compliance offering.

The investigations and criminal litigation team at WilmerHale has a broad practice with notable strength in transatlantic instructions. Co-chair Stephen Pollard, lauded for his ‘incredible experience and phenomenal judgement’, has a strong track record representing corporate clients in high-profile proceedings brought by the SFO. Pollard works alongside co-chair Richard Burger, a former prosecutor with extensive experience handling domestic and international regulatory enforcement and criminal investigations. Lloyd Firth handles internal investigations as well as multijurisdictional government-facing investigations. Imogen Makin joined the team in January 2024, and is a key contact for financial institutions.

Managing partner and financial crime specialist Richard Sallybanks heads up the specialist business crime and regulatory team at BCL Solicitors LLP; its expertise runs the gamut of financial and corporate crime issues, including ESG compliance, AML, regulatory offences, and data protection issues. With a focus on contentious matters, the team has recently seen an uptick in instructions concerning economic and trade sanctions, as well as tax evasion issues and environmental protection mandates. The ‘absolutely stellar‘ Richard Reichman takes point on the contentious regulatory front, Shaul Brazil is the key name for financial crime cases, while John Binns is highly recommended for sanctions and tax evasion instructions.

Working in close collaboration with the firm’s US offices, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP’s white-collar defence and investigation team has a notable emphasis on the defence of serious fraud and regulatory matters. Duncan Grieve now heads up the team and is regularly instructed by multinational corporations to advise on internal investigations as well as SFO, FCA, and OFSI investigations and criminal proceedings. Kevin Roberts left the team in November 2023, as did Charlotte Glaser.

Clients praise the white-collar defence and investigations practice at Cohen & Gresser (UK) LLP for its ‘extraordinary tactical and strategic nous‘. Cross-border investigations regarding financial crime and corruption in the energy and construction sectors feature prominently in the team’s caseload; Richard Kovalevsky KC is a key name here. The ‘exceptionally talented‘ John Gibson, who has in-agency prosecutorial experience from the SFO, heads up the team. Other key individuals include Thomas Shortland, who takes point on internal and disciplinary investigations.

Ian Hargreaves and David Lorello jointly lead the white-collar defence, compliance, and investigations team at Covington & Burling LLP, which stands out for its strength in corporate compliance work and regulatory enforcement matters concerning export controls, AML, and bribery allegations. Hargreaves is a fraud specialist and also has extensive knowledge of corporate governance and risk management issues, while clients describe Lorello as a ‘true sanctions expert’. Ian Redfearn takes point on bribery and corruption mandates, while Sarah Bishop, dual-qualified in the UK and the US, is the name to note for ethics and compliance matters.

DLA Piper is regularly instructed by clients in the financial services, fintech, manufacturing, and retail industries to advise on the full spectrum of corporate crime and compliance mandates, with a notable emphasis on investigations. Laura Ford oversees the team, which sits within the firm’s broader litigation and regulatory department; Ford’s expertise encompasses financial misconduct investigations, transactional due diligence, and compliance programme design. Ford works alongside Tony Katz and Sam Millar, who handle internal investigations into bribery, fraud, and financial services regulatory issues. The ‘brilliant‘ Andrew Sackey, who joined from Pinsent Masons LLP in March 2024, is highly regarded for his criminal tax fraud expertise.

The corporate crime and investigations practice at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP counts large multinational corporates, banks, and operators in the tech and retail sectors among its strong roster of clients. International financial sanctions specialist Zia Ullah oversees the team and leverages his in-house experience from the banking industry to advise financial institutions on all aspects of economic sanctions. Ullah works alongside Anupreet Amole, who handles business crime and compliance matters with a focus on corruption and fraud, and Steve Smith, who advises on AML investigations, compliance matters, and POCA issues. Another key name for AML compliance is Ruth Paley, lauded by clients for her ‘highly developed sense of strategy‘.

The commercial crime team at Fieldfisher works closely with the firm’s larger dispute resolution offering and civil fraud team to provide a full-service offering with a notable emphasis on cross-border instructions. Described by clients as ‘clearly brilliant and supremely fluent in the law’, practice head Quinton Newcomb takes point on complex multijurisdictional internal investigations as well as compliance reviews; ‘truly exceptional‘ litigator Shiv Haria-Shah is another key name here. The core team also includes William Glover, who ably assists with internal criminal investigations concerning POCA, bribery, and corruption allegations.

Jones Day fields an ‘extremely responsive and client-oriented’ investigations and white-collar defence team with notable strength in cross-border litigation and investigations. Sion Richards heads up the practice and has a focus on multijurisdictional investigations into major fraud and corruption matters. Richards works closely with the ‘sensationally bright’ Adam Brown, who attracts client praise for his ‘phenomenal strategic insight’ and regularly acts for financial institutions, corporates, and insolvency practitioners on the full range of criminal and regulatory investigations. Former practice co-head Glyn Powell retired in January 2024.

King & Spalding LLP  fields an ‘experienced and enthusiastic‘ team with notable strength in sanctions compliance, financial services regulatory work, and market abuse and manipulation issues. Dual-focused on the US and the UK, practice head Aaron Stephens takes point on financial crime investigations and compliance challenges, acting for corporates and financial institutions. Margaret Nettesheim, also dual-qualified in the UK and the US, is another key member of the team, and handles regulatory and criminal investigations for clients in the oil and gas, shipping, and aviation industries, attracting praise for her ‘consistently strong work and analysis‘. 2024 saw the firm strengthening its public prosecutions offering with the arrival of Max Hill in February.

Louise Hodges leads the corporate crime and investigations team at Kingsley Napley LLP, which is regularly instructed on the full range of corporate criminal investigations and cases with a notable emphasis on ESG and human rights issues as well as regulatory investigations. The ‘focused and strategic’ Hodges has notable expertise advising corporates on bribery and fraud issues, while Caroline Day specialises in criminal and internal investigations. The core team also includes former SFO general counsel Alun Milford, criminal defence expert Nicola Finnerty, and the ‘supremely talented’ Gemma Tombs, whose broad practice covers POCA matters, AML issues, and sanctions advice.

Mayer Brown International LLP’s expertise encompasses cross-border investigations, regulatory issues, and compliance reviews, as well as ESG matters. Compliance instructions and internal investigations concerning corruption allegations form key pillars of work for the team, which is overseen by ‘superb practitioner’ Alistair Graham, an experienced litigator with an emphasis on regulatory and fraud investigations, as well as international asset tracing. Sam Eastwood, lauded for his ‘unparalleled experience,’ takes point on anti-corruption, AML, human rights, and economic sanctions-related matters, while Jason Hungerford, dual-qualified in the UK and the US, is the name to note for financial crime and regulatory mandates.

McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP stands out for its specialisation in the online gaming sector, with the team handling DPAs, regulatory investigations, and compliance reviews for leading names across the sector. Practice head and ‘superb tactician’ Simon Airey is a key contact for clients in the betting and gambling industries seeking advice on complex corporate crime and regulatory issues, while James Dobias has significant experience acting on DPAs. Airey and Dobias work alongside William Merry, who ably assists on SFO, HMRC, and FCA investigations.

With notable experience advising on large multijurisdictional investigations, Morrison Foerster regularly handles fraud matters, public inquiries, and economic and trade sanctions. Saqib Alam and Hayley Ichilcik jointly head up the practice; the ‘extremely responsive and engaging‘ Alam is triple-qualified in the US, the UK, and Singapore, and takes point on multijurisdictional regulatory investigations, while Ichilcik focuses her practice on white-collar criminal litigation defence, financial crime investigations, and compliance instructions. The ‘superb‘ Chloe Kearns is the name to note for market abuse, fraud, and money laundering instructions.

Rosanne Kay and regulatory enforcement specialist Charles Hewetson jointly lead the ‘commercial, responsive and technically brilliant’ team at Reed Smith LLP, which attracts praise from clients for its sanctions expertise. A key name here is Leigh Hansson, who splits her time between Washington DC and London, while Patrick Rappo is a key individual on the fraud, bribery, and corruption front. Work for clients in the pharma, accounting, and manufacturing sectors also features prominently in the team’s caseload.

With notable strength in cross-border AML matters, Ropes & Gray handles compliance and due diligence matters as well as investigations for clients in the financial services, private equity, pharma, and tech sectors. Amanda Raad leads the team and is dual-qualified in the US and the UK; Raad has a broad practice encompassing internal investigations, criminal enforcement and regulatory matters, and compliance issues. The US-qualified Sean Seelinger is another key member of the team and takes point on cross-border anti-corruption and AML investigations. Paige Berges left the team in April 2024.

Sara George leads the white-collar defence and investigations team at Sidley Austin LLP, which leverages the firm’s global reach to provide a interdisciplinary offering with strength in cross-border and multijurisdictional mandates. George is an experienced financial crime specialist and former FSA prosecutor with extensive experience advising corporate clients on market abuse, insider dealing, money laundering, and corruption issues. Working alongside George is litigator Samantha Cumming, whose expertise encompasses matters involving allegations of financial misconduct, corruption, bribery, and fraud.

The government investigations and white-collar crime team at Squire Patton Boggs stands out for its strength in conducting internal investigations for clients in the banking, manufacturing, and energy sectors. Allegations of bribery, regulatory misconduct, and sanctions violations are key areas of expertise for the group. Hannah Laming heads up the team and has a broad practice acting for SMEs, governments, and listed multinational companies. Wayne Barnes is the name to note for internal fraud investigations and sports investigations, while Ben Ticehurst takes point on fraud, bribery, and corruption investigations. Jonathan Chibafa left the team in March 2024.

With strength in procurement fraud, government-facing work, and shipping sector instructions, Bivonas Law LLP’s regulatory and corporate crime group is described by clients as ‘highly professional, caring and responsive to all client needs‘. Senior partner Antony Brown, Steve Sharp, and the ‘outstanding‘ Cindy Dorrington jointly lead the team; Brown has a strong track record advising governments and banks, and Sharp takes point on criminal and regulatory investigations before the SFO, FCA, and NCA, while Dorrington is the name to note for contentious financial services work. The core team also includes Roland Ellis, a ‘towering figure in the regulatory regime‘.

Tom Epps heads up the ‘exceptionally well integrated‘ white-collar defence team at Cooley (UK) LLP, which continues to demonstrate strong cross-border expertise across sanction compliance matters and AML proceedings. Epps is noted for his 'excellent judgment in the heat of an enforcement raid or the pressure of an under-caution interview'. James Maton, a key contact for major names from the tech and life sciences sectors, regularly advises on international investigations.

Sanctions advice and trade compliance instructions form core pillars of work for the regulatory and investigations team at Dentons. Department head Katharine Harle is a seasoned financial crime specialist, particularly relating to fraud, ABC, and AML issues, while the ‘very knowledgeable and pragmatic’ Roger Matthews takes point on sanctions instructions; new partner Dan Lund is another name to note here. Harle and Matthews are ably assisted by the ‘exceptional’ Sarah Partridge-Smith, a key name for AML compliance work and multi-agency investigations.

Managing partner Christine Braamskamp heads up the investigations, compliance, and defence practice at Jenner & Block LLP, which attracts client praise for its ‘high-quality advice’. Braamskamp is a seasoned corporate crime expert with notable experience advising on cross-border and multijurisdictional mandates. Also in the core team is Robert Dalling, who acts for companies operating in the extractive, energy, and real estate sectors, and the ‘very knowledgeable’ Lucy Blake, who takes point on non-financial misconduct, human rights issues, and supply chain abuses. Paul Feldberg left the team in January 2024.

Sanctions compliance, advisory issues, and risk assessments constitute core pillars of work for the white-collar defence and investigations team at K&L Gates LLP, praised by clients for its ‘significant experience in the financial and regulatory sectors’. The ‘experienced, tenacious and strategic’ Dylan Moses leads the team and specialises in money laundering, fraud, and health and safety issues. Michael Ruck’s expertise encompasses multijurisdictional investigations as well as regulatory issues, while Rosie Naylor is the name to note for bribery and corruption investigations.

Matt Getz and Tracey Dovaston jointly lead the ‘extremely experienced’ investigations and financial crime offering at Pallas Partners LLP. Getz, dual-qualified in the US and the UK, focuses his practice on sanctions as well as government and internal investigations, while the ‘incredibly impressive’ Dovaston is a key contact for financial services clients facing regulatory investigations. The duo works alongside Alessia de Quincey, who ably assists on financial crime investigations as well as litigation.

The investigations and white-collar defence group at Steptoe UK LLP attracts particular praise for its ‘top-notch’ sanctions and export controls practice, a key area of increased activity for the group. Zoe Osborne heads up the team and has a notable emphasis on cross-border financial crime and regulatory investigations and enforcement actions, working alongside the ‘quick and sharp’ Alexandra Melia; Melia is regularly instructed to advise on anti-corruption, bribery, and export control issues for clients in the financial services, manufacturing, and tech sectors.

Carl Newman and Natalie Sherborn jointly oversee the white-collar defence and investigations practice at Withers LLP. Newman acts for both individual and corporate clients, handling FCA, PRA, SFO, and HMRC investigations, while Sherborn is the name to note for cross-border and multi-agency investigations. The duo works alongside financial services regulatory expert Harvey Knight.