A ‘go-to firm for contentious regulatory matters’, Magic Circle outfit Allen & Overy LLP runs a workload spread across the UK, Europe, the US and Asia. Calum Burnett leverages 30 years’ experience in overseeing the market’s most high-profile market abuse, insider dealing, financial crime, bribery and corruption, insider dealing and cultural failing cases; he co-heads the practice alongside Arnondo Chakrabarti whose recent workload includes extremely complex anti-competitive behaviour and multi-jurisdictional market manipulation proceedings. Eve Giles provides the team with money laundering, cartel and corruption prowess, while Sarah Hitchins is a key port of call for clients involved in FCA investigations pertaining to non-financial misconduct and wide-spread consumer mis-selling. Mahmood Lone is also integral to the offering, largely due to his distinguished track record in cross-border investigations into benchmark rate manipulation.

Clifford Chance LLP is home to a ‘first-class’ team, fronted by Carlos Conceicao, a former head of the FSA’s Wholesale Group who specialises in cases of market abuse; his team also leverages Dorian Drew’s proficiency in handling cases brought by multiple regulators, including the PRA and FCA, as well as Oliver Pegden’s experience in wholesale market conduct issues. Elsewhere, Kelwin Nicholls has recently handled sizeable disputes in the blockchain and commodities sectors, while Samantha Ward deploys her technology know-how when supporting on FCA, SFO, European Commission and CMA-related proceedings.

Famed for its ‘specialist knowledge and insight into regulatory enforcement teams’, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP leverages its Silver Circle status and broad international footprint to act on an array of domestic and multi-jurisdictional matters. Jenny Stainsby leads the firm’s global practice and is naturally well-versed in an array of international investigation and enforcement affairs, while Hywel Jenkins fronts the domestic practice and is a go-to for complaints handling, consumer redress and issues involving the Financial Ombudsman Service; they are supported by Andrew Procter, a lawyer with a track record in market abuse and control cases, in addition to Karen Anderson whose key strengths include wholesale conduct, conflicts of interest, control issues and sponsor duties. Senior associates Benedicte Perowne and Jon Ford are emblematic of the team’s deep bench strength, having already amassed significant exposure to a wealth of external investigations including those before the FCA, DOJ, SFO, SEC and CFTC.

Magic Circle firm Linklaters LLP is hailed for its ‘unrivalled experience, commercial sense and client focus’. Martyn Hopper fronts the practice, leveraging his background at the FSA to support on array of market leading insider dealing, market manipulation, unauthorised trading and corporate disclosure proceedings, among others. Other integral names include Nikunj Kiri, a veteran of numerous PPI complaint, mis-selling, market misconduct matters, along with Alison Wilson, an authority for FCA investigations, internal investigations and pre-enforcement matters within the retail banking space. Ben Packer is famed for his work on PRA and FCA investigations, representing companies and individuals alike, while Clare McMullen serves as a leading name for market abuse work, conduct issues and AML proceedings. At counsel level, Elizabeth Dowd is a US-qualified lawyer whose recent workload includes a PPI complaint, benchmark manipulation and controls failings in the context of bribery and corruption risks.

Ashurst’s practice was recently bolstered by the high-profile January 2022 arrival of Nathan Willmott; he joined from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner where he served as practice head, and added extensive experience in market abuse, risk management and governance failing, senior management misconduct and conduct rule breach matters, among many others. Tom Connor heads up the practice and has recently been active on FCA enforcements, internal investigations and trading pattern affairs. The group is also increasingly active in financial crime, market abuse, cryptocurrency, ESG regulatory risk and diversity and inclusion mandates. Adam Jamieson is a further new arrival from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, who joined in June 2022.

CMS receives instructions on contentious financial services affairs from a broad variety of industry players such as retail and wholesale banks, funds, wealth mangers, listed and technology companies, brokers and insurers. Ash Saluja leads the practice which is home to Simon Morris, a lawyer with an extensive track record before the PRA, FCA and several overseas regulators. Alison McHaffie has recently handled standout s166, internal investigation and redress project instructions, while Elisabeth Bremner is a go-to for market abuse, trader mismarketing and insider dealing proceedings.

Hailed by one client as ‘the Rolls-Royce of financial services teams’, Hogan Lovells International LLP demonstrates a tenacity for a plethora of domestic and cross-border matters, including FCA, FRC, ESMA and OFSI-led affairs. The team is led by Philip Parish, a seasoned veteran in market misconduct, LIBOR, swaps mis-selling and foreign exchange affairs who is also a go-to for senior individuals facing FCA action. Elaine Penrose is also a standout, owing to her track record in supporting banks, investment businesses and individuals in business-critical investigations. Other key streams of work include contentious consumer finance, sanction and anti-money laundering affairs.

Macfarlanes LLP is geared to handle a broad variety of regulatory dispute, enforcement action and investigation proceedings. Dan Lavender is well-versed in matters with a multi-jurisdictional element, having handled affairs throughout Europe, the US and Middle East; he co-heads the team alongside Matt McCahearty whose track record spans LIBOR, foreign exchange and anti-money laundering cases. At senior counsel-level, Aalia Datoo is forging a prominent reputation for bribery, corruption, market abuse, fraud and international sanction compliance matters.

Norton Rose Fulbright, hailed by one client as a ‘superb, world-class firm with outstanding ability at all levels’, is especially well-regarded for its sanctions, market abuse, AML, authorisation and permission, ESG, financial promotion, fraud and whistleblowing capabilities. Katie Stephen is also regarded as a market leader for s166 reviews, money laundering issues, retail mis-selling work, consumer credit matters and market disclosure affairs, having garnered experience before the FCA, Ofgem, PRA, FRC and AIM, among many other regulators. Elsewhere, David Harris, who co-heads the team alongside Stephen, has a distinguished level of proficiency in cross-border investigations and has overseen a number of parallel investigations which intersect the DoJ and SEC in the US.

Simmons & Simmons demonstrates a tenacity for a broad variety of contentious financial services affairs including market abuse, systems and control breaches, misconduct and individual accountability matters. Richard Sims is routinely involved in high-stakes FCA enforcement investigations, including LIBOR and FX-related affairs, while Emma Sutcliffe has prowess in multi-jurisdictional proceedings and is especially well-regarded for firm-wide cultural issue cases; the pair head the practice which also disperses distinct expertise in respect of consumer duty and cryptocurrency affairs, the latter of which is a particular forte of ‘brilliant‘ managing associate Douglas Robinson.

At Slaughter and May, the practice is able to leverage the experience of Deborah Finkler, a lawyer with a three-decade long track record of acting on FCA, PRA and FOS proceedings. Elsewhere, Ewan Brown serves as a go-to within the market for FX manipulation cases, while Holly Ware is a figure of prominence owing to her LIBOR investigation, market abuse and money laundering know-how. Jonathan Cotton is acclaimed for his capabilities in export controls and sanctions, Company Act offences and FSMA matters, among many others, and the team also includes Gayathri Kamalanathan, an up-and-coming partner with over 10 years experience of senior in-house roles at leading banks. Jonathan Clark is also a key name to note. Richard Swallow leads the group.

Stephenson Harwood‘s offering is led by Sean Jeffrey who has recently been active on FCA enforcement matters concerning money and retail products, and is likewise a go-to for financial sanction and s166 investigations; his team includes Justin McClelland, a former prosecutor, whose key fields of focus include market misconduct, cartel activity and system failure allegations. Alan Ward was recently promoted to partner, having garnered exposure to a wealth of investigations in the EU, UK, US and Far East, while seasoned veteran Tony Woodcock retired from the partnership though remains active as a consultant.

Travers Smith LLP fields a team with extensive experience in regulatory investigations, disciplinary proceedings and enforcement actions, including those before the FCA, UKLA, SFO, LSE, SEC and EU Commission, among other bodies. Practice head Rob Fell runs ‘big cases beautifully’, brining over 20 years’ of experience to the table, including advising on several high-profile investigations into the Bank of England between 2013-2017. Stephanie Lee provides the practice with prominent multi-jurisdictional capabilities, having represented several clients in cross-border investigations and garnered experience before the DoJ and SEC in the US.

The team at Addleshaw Goddard is adept at the full suite of contentious financial services affairs, from civil and regulatory investigations through to criminal and independent investigations and remediation/redress exercises. Practice head Nichola Peters counts money laundering and market abuse cases among her key strengths, while David Pygott serves as an expert on insider dealing, mishandling of inside information and anti-money laundering affairs. Sarah Thomas is the other key partner in the team, particularly for her capabilities in sensitive whistleblowing matters.

The ‘exceptional’ team at Brown Rudnick LLP is led by Peter Bibby, a market veteran with over 30 years of experience under his belt; he routinely caters to banks, asset managers, mortgage businesses and insurance brokers, in addition to a plethora of individuals, and is supported by Chloe Pawson-Pounds, an up-and-coming partner with an extensive track record in FCA investigations.

At Silver Circle firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, Polly James was recently elected to practice head, an acknowledgement of her first-rate reputation in handling internal investigations and whistleblower complaints in addition to FCA and PRA-led interactions; she is supported by Oran Gelb who co-heads the overall banking practice, leveraging a track record in UK, Europe, US and Asia-based investigations, as well as an intimate knowledge of wholesale financial markets.

The practice at Dentons was recently bolstered by the January 2022 arrival of Chris Brennan, former practice head of White & Case LLP, who arrives with significant exposure to misconduct affairs, particularly in the retail and wholesale markets. Katharine Harle leads the practice and is especially well-versed in s166 reviews, internal investigations, conduct and culture issues, and governance and remediation affairs. At the more junior end, counsel Zeena Saleh, a specialist in cross-border matters, is hailed as a ‘star asset for any team‘.

DLA Piper’s team is co-headed by Tony Katz and Sam Millar; the former is well-versed in conducting investigations throughout the UK, EU, US and Asia, both internal and external, while the latter provides the group with considerable expertise in money laundering, insider trading, cybercrime, market manipulation and accounting irregularities. Patrick Rappo is the other senior name in London and acts on an array of corruption, fraud and international bribery affairs.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is geared to support on a broad array of investigation, enforcement and risk advisory matters, including s166, cybersecurity, operational resilience, anti-money laundering and financial crime cases. Gregory Brandman is well-versed before the FCA, PRA and SFO, among other bodies, while Jake McQuitty is a go-to for market abuse, senior management misconduct and insider dealing affairs; the pair co-lead the team alongside Julia Neal, formerly of the Enforcement Division of the FSA, who handles a number of cross-border and international investigations, demonstrating particular accomplishments in market misconduct issues and the mis-selling of retail investments.

Fox Williams LLP serves a client base of senior executives, foreign banks, mid-range investment companies and fintech players. Peter Wright is completely dedicated to this space and demonstrates a tenacity for FCA and PRA investigations, including those with a cross-border component; he co-leads the team alongside James Carlton who is adept in regulation, disciplinary investigation and financial crime affairs. The team is also home to Sona Ganatra, whose many strengths include a prominent fintech sector reputation, as well as senior associate Sebastian Sayer, formerly of the FCA’s enforcement division.

Kingsley Napley LLP enjoys a prominent reputation for its representation of individuals suspected of market abuse and insider dealing, also regularly catering to small and medium-sized FCA-regulated companies on a wealth of other matters. Louise Hodges is also an expert in market manipulation and breach of principal cases, while fellow practice head, Jill Lorimer is forging an excellent track record in acting for crypto asset businesses.

Catering to banks, asset managers, private equity houses, hedge funds and exchanges alike, Latham & Watkins demonstrates considerable prowess in investigations, conduct and culture, senior manager responsibility, market abuse and financial crime mandates. The practice is headed up by Andrea Monks who thrives on the risk management, regulatory enforcement and internal investigation fronts. Nell Perks is involved in a variety of domestic and cross-border affairs, including whistleblowing and mis-selling cases. Former practice co-head Jon Holland retired in March 2023.

Mayer Brown International LLP hones its focus on cross-border mandates, leveraging its footprint in London, New York and Hong Kong in the process. Chris Chapman caters to a roster of banks, insurers and individuals on a broad array of international and external investigations, including those before the FCA and PRA; he co-heads the team alongside Alistair Graham, a solicitor advocate.

Mishcon de Reya LLP’s practice has traditionally counted its representation of individuals as its keystone though has recently noted an uptick in its corporate-side representation. The team is fronted by Adam Epstein, a veteran of numerous high-profile PRA and FCA investigations, who is particularly well-versed in cross-border, pre-investigation and pre-enforcement affairs. Guy Wilkes is a standout for internal investigations, listing breaches, financial crime and market abuse matters, while, beyond partner-level, Elizabeth Hope is praised as ‘one of the best associates in the whole financial services field‘.

Osborne Clarke LLP is relied upon by traditional financial service companies, alternative lenders and fintech companies, among other entities, for a broad breadth of regulatory investigation and enforcement matters; examples include issues around the mis-selling of financial products, s166 reviews, data breaches, financial institution collapses and redress reviews. Rachel Couter leads the practice and also provides the group with market abuse, insider dealing, AML, safeguarding and responsible lending capabilities.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s London team forms part of the firm’s wider UK and international offering, demonstrating prowess in remediation and redress projects, FCA investigation and FOS complaint defence strategies. Insurance sector specialist Colin Read leads the practice which is also home to Jonathan Cavill, an up-and-coming partner with a prominent reputation in regulatory risk, direct claim and complain, FCA scrutiny and investigation mandates.

At Reed Smith LLP, the team is geared to act on the full array of PRA, FCA and FRC enforcements and investigations, counting its knowledge of cross-border affairs, particularly those involving the US, as a key distinguisher. Robert Falkner is especially accomplished within the commodity, foreign exchange, securities and derivatives markets; he co-leads the practice alongside Charles Hewetson whose track record includes a number of overseas anti-bribery proceedings.

Leveraging a presence in both New York and London, Shearman & Sterling LLP’s practice is headed up by Barnabas Reynolds, a go-to for several banks, asset managers, financial infrastructure providers and insurers on a wealth of enforcement and contentious affairs. The team is also home to Thomas Donegan whose track record encompasses insider dealing, anti-money laundering, sanctions and market manipulation matters, among many others.

Akin caters to investment funds, retail banks, insurance companies and hedge funds, providing representation on a broad variety of FCA and PRA-led proceedings. Practice head Helen Marshall garners distinction through her 25 years’ experience in the field, nine of which were spent as the Head of Enforcement Law and Policy and Head of Forensic Investigation at the FSA; her key areas of expertise including thematic reviews, investigations, enforcements, compliance issues and information requests, among others.

The team at Baker McKenzie undertakes regulatory enforcement cases and investigations, both internal and external, on behalf of international banks, executives, senior managers and financial services clients. The team, which possesses a track record before the FCA, PRA and SFA, is especially adept in LIBOR, Forex and other benchmark manipulation affairs, and is also well-equipped to support on matters with transatlantic or APAC-related components. Jonathan Peddie co-leads the team alongside Mark Simpson.

Litigation boutique Bivonas Law LLP is home to Cindy Dorrington, a leading name for cases brought by the SFO, FCA, CPS, NCA and HMRC; she is supported by Antony Brown, a lawyer with 30 years of experience in contentious affairs, and John Bechelet whose illustrious track record includes successes in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.

Cooke, Young & Keidan LLP is a boutique firm, dedicating its focus to financial and commercial disputes. The firm has been engaged on a number of complex cryptocurrency matters and is also acclaimed for its capabilities in fit and proper person, AML issue and market abuse affairs, among other alleged FCA Handbook breaches. Stephen Elam serves as the primary contact.

Specialist firm Corker Binning represents large banks and senior executives, among other clients, in a wealth of investigations, including those which intersect the FCA, SFO, SEC and DoJ. Claire Cross leverages her experience as a former senior lawyer at the FCA to advise on a plethora of money laundering, insider dealing, regulatory regime breach and misleading statement affairs. The team also consists of Peter Binning, whose background at the CPS and SFO makes him a ‘go-to’, as well as David Corker, a fraud and corruption specialist.

Fieldfisher fields a team with specialist knowledge of banking regulation, capital markets, anti-money laundering, fintech, consumer finance and retail product regulation matters. The practice is fronted by Duncan Black, a market abuse specialist, and likewise counts securities and commodities dealing, conduct of business and derivatives regulation among its core strengths.

At Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP, the team is particularly proficient in multi-jurisdictional matters, particularly those intersecting the UK and US. Core expertise encompasses FSMA matters, customer redress exercises, FCA investigations, remediation programmes, insider dealing, corruption and alleged mis-selling. Melanie Ryan is well-versed before both the FCA and SEC; she serves as practice co-head alongside Chris Warren-Smith whose workload also includes retail share trading, investment management, mortgage, overdraft charge and bancassurance affairs.

The team at Taylor Wessing LLP caters to both banks and senior executives on an array of trading, whistleblowing, benchmarking and antitrust matters, among others. Laurence Lieberman is a private banking and wealth management expert, often involved in transatlantic cases, while Charlotte Hill disperses specialist knowledge on market abuse and insider dealing affairs; the pair co-lead the department, which is particularly well-versed in cryptocurrency disputes, alongside Andrew Howell.

TLT operates across an array of governance, policy framework, remediation, PBR and s166 review matters, catering to a mixture of UK banks, building societies and financial services providers. Bristol-based Jonathan Hoey leads the practice and serves as a key port of call for several of the firm’s high street bank clients.

WilmerHale hones its focus on the full suite of FCA-related enforcement actions, directing particular attention towards senior executives faced with regulatory exposure. Stephen Pollard leads the practice and has gathered notable insider trading, market abuse and internal investigation expertise throughout his illustrious 30-year career; he is supported by counsel David Rundle who is also well-versed before the SFO and PRA.

Withers LLP directs a distinct level of focus towards representing senior employees, chief executives and non-executive directors involved in PRA and FCA-led matters. The team is led by Harvey Knight who notably spent six years at the FCA as its lead authorisation and approvals lawyer; his key fields of expertise encompass regulatory perimeter affairs, permissions and approvals, supervisory issues and enforcement investigations.

Constantine Law Limited, an employment and regulatory boutique, comes highly recommended for its work on FCA investigations, non-financial misconduct internal affairs, whistleblowing issues and conduct breach allegations. The practice, which represents both individuals and companies, is steered by Sarah Wallace and is also a natural choice for matters which intersect employment and regulatory law.

Led by James Sidwell, Gowling WLG is geared to support on an extensive array of contentious financial services affairs including FRC, FCA and PRA authorisations, supervisory and enforcement proceedings, LIBOR matters, FX manipulations and SEC investigations; the team is also notably formidable within the fintech field, acting on contentious ICO, cryptocurrency and blockchain proceedings.

Greenberg Traurig, LLP was recently bolstered by the October 2021 arrival of Matt Hancock from Mishcon de Reya LLP; he arrives with over 14 years of experience in regulatory enforcement actions, including before the PRA and FCA, and is supported by Katharine Bond, an of counsel with specialist knowledge of the payments space.

Hickman & Rose , a disputes boutique, is distinguished through its distinct emphasis on representing company directors and senior executives. The offering is led by Andrew Katzen, an expert in financial misconduct, market and benchmark manipulation, insider dealing and FCA principles breaches. Ben Rose and Ross Dixon are among the other key names.

King & Spalding LLP is engaged by a variety of executives, managers, entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals, financial institutions and corporations. Aaron Stephens is renowned for his proficiency in anti-money laundering, market abuse, fraud and anti-corruption matters; he serves as practice co-head alongside Robert Dedman.

Milbank represents both individuals and institutions, including those involved in cross-border and FCA-led investigations. Julian Stait leads the team which is home to William Charles, an up-and-coming partner, and Charles Evans, the key port of call for several prominent global financial companies.

Led by Arun Srivastava, the team at Paul Hastings LLP aims to cover the full suite of contentious financial services matters, including those with transatlantic, insolvency law, sanction violation and cryptocurrency elements. Srivastava demonstrates a proven track record in FCA enforcement matters and is supported by Jonathan Pickworth.

A disputes boutique, Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP represents individuals, companies and institutions in market abuse and insider dealing matters, among many other contentious affairs. Nick Vamos fronts the business crime and investigations practice while Neil Swift takes lead on the regulatory front. The team is particularly active on the cross-border front, having litigated across Europe, the US, the Middle East and India.

Sidley Austin LLP, a US-headquartered outfit, covers a broad variety of regulatory, enforcement and litigation affairs, frequently acting on matters with a cross-border element. Sara George serves as practice head, calling upon her experience in market abuse, insider dealing, money laundering and cybersecurity mandates, including those before the FCA, CFTC, DOJ and SFO.

Squire Patton Boggs leverages its broad national and international network to oversee an array of multi-jurisdictional AML, financial crime, bank sanction and skilled person review proceedings. Paul Anderson and Anthony Taylor co-head the national offering with Chris Webber and Wayne Barnes serving as key contacts at the London office. Hannah Laming is the European head of the government investigations and white collar practice.