The ‘tremendously talented‘ team at BCL Solicitors LLP has a market-leading presence in the white-collar crime space, routinely representing individuals across the full range of financial crime investigations and prosecutions, including allegations of bribery, corruption, money laundering, and fraud, both domestic and cross-border in nature. Richard Sallybanks leads the team and attracts praise for his ‘extraordinary strategic acumen,’ regularly acting for high-net-worth individuals and senior executives. ‘Wise, tough, and pragmatic‘ founding partner Ian Burton tackles cases concerning sanctions, price fixing, and extradition issues. Harry Travers takes point on large SFO investigations and tax fraud matters; Shula de Jersey and Julian Hayes are other significant names here. Shaul Brazil is a key contact for cross-border money laundering investigations, while John Binns is noted for his sanctions, asset forfeiture, and tax expertise. The team also includes a strong roster of associates, including Oliver Schneider-Sikorsky, Anoushka Warlow, and Hannah Raphael.

Corker Binning fields a deep and experienced bench of ‘true specialists in their fields‘ capable of handling the full gamut of white collar criminal matters. Acting for senior executives across a diverse range of industries, the team frequently handles investigations concerning allegations of insider trading and corruption. Andrew Smith leads the team and takes point on high-profile and international investigations. He works alongside Jessica Parker, who stands out for her expertise in criminal tax fraud investigations and general business fraud issues. Founding partners Peter Binning and David Corker remain active within the practice and stand out for their impressive track record advising on the full range of criminal matters. Nick Barnard is a key name for cross-border and multijurisdictional matters, Claire Cross leverages her in-agency expertise from the FCA to advise on criminal and regulatory investigations in the financial services space, and the ‘intelligent, rigorous and seemingly tireless‘ Maia Cohen-Lask has extensive expertise advising individuals facing investigations by UK agencies.

Hailed by clients as ‘simply the best,’ Kingsley Napley LLP maintains a leading criminal litigation practice with expertise spanning the full range of white-collar crimes. Seasoned financial crime specialist Louise Hodges oversees the department and routinely acts for high-net-worth individuals facing investigations by the SFO and FCA. The ‘very skillful‘ Jonathan Grimes leads on high-value civil asset recovery proceedings, sanctions, and fraud issues, while Nicola Finnerty handles criminal cartels, corruption, and money laundering allegations. Caroline Day specialises in business crime; Rebecca Niblock handles extradition, Red Notices, and sanctions matters; and David Sleight is a key contact for tax evasion and overseas corruption investigations. Also in the core team are financial services specialist Jill Lorimer and former SFO general counsel Alun Milford. The team is ably assisted by the ‘tactically astute‘ Sophie Wood and the ‘supremely talented‘ Gemma Tombs.

Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP acts for high-profile politicians, HNWIs, investors, and senior executives on the full spectrum of white-collar criminal matters, with notable strength in international and cross-border issues. Former CPS prosecutor Nick Vamos heads up the team, working alongside senior partner Michael O’Kane, described as ‘one of the best in London‘, who takes point on cartel, fraud, sanctions, and extradition matters. The ‘superbly efficient‘ Jasvinder Nakhwal handles asset seizure matters, and Neil Swift focuses on financial crime cases, while Maria Cronin is the name to note for money laundering, insider dealing, and criminal tax investigations. Another core individual is new partner Charlotte Tregunna, who specialises in internal and regulatory investigatory matters.

Described as ‘first-rate, intellectual, and humble’ by its clients, Bivonas Law LLP’s dedicated white-collar crime practice stands out for its strong track record handling cross-border investigations. Advice to individuals regarding sanctions issues is another key pillar of the practice. Senior partner Antony Brown has a strong track record acting for individuals in organised crime proceedings and is hailed by clients as ‘top of his league’. As a ‘superb lawyer with a great tactical approach‘, Cindy Dorrington excels across fraud, money laundering, restraint orders, and proceeds of crime proceedings. Stephen Sharp is an seasoned litigator with notable experience in international fraud cases. Brown, Dorrington, and Sharp jointly oversee the practice. Roland Ellis specialises in complex fraud allegations, while Manraj Somal is routinely instructed by high-net-worth individuals facing UK agency investigations.

Gary Bloxsome and Daniel Cundy jointly oversee the white-collar crime offering at Blackfords LLP, which regularly acts for clients in bribery and corruption, investment fraud, insider trading, and money laundering investigations and proceedings. Bloxsome, ‘a giant of the legal profession‘, leads on domestic and international fraud investigations, while the ‘exceptionally bright‘ Cundy handles corruption, tax, and proceeds of crime matters. Recently, the group has seen increased activity related to election expenses and political campaign finance issues. Managing partner Trevor Francis has a broad practice that spans electoral fraud and cybercrime, in addition to serious fraud matters. Also in the core team is ‘utterly committed‘ in-house barrister Rachel Wilson, who specialises in fraud, money laundering, and misconduct in public office cases; Naureen Shariff, lauded by clients as a ‘superstar‘; and Jennifer Richardson, who has a notable focus on mortgage, Ponzi, and carousel frauds.

Boutique litigation firm Hickman & Rose ‘consistently punches well above its weight’ to advise individuals facing serious financial criminal charges. With extensive experience handling SFO, HMRC, and NCA investigations and proceedings, the group also handles an increasing number of regulatory financial crime cases. Advice relating to account freezing orders, proceeds of crime issues, and sanctions concerns form further core pillars of work for the team. Ross Dixon and Ben Rose jointly lead the firm’s financial crime offering; Dixon has notable experience handling parallel proceedings in the UK and overseas, while Rose takes point on bribery, fraud, and corruption matters - Andrew Katzen and Claire Wallace are other key names here. Emily Sheils handles market manipulation and fraud proceedings, while Christopher Houssemayne du Boulay is a key contact for accounting fraud instructions. At the associate level, Steffan Baker ably assists on complex fraud defence cases.

Mishcon de Reya LLP fields a ‘fantastic‘ white-collar crime and investigations team with a strong track record advising individuals on financial crime investigations and proceedings before a broad range of UK and international agencies. The ‘innovative, tenacious, and absolutely never complacent‘ Johanna Walsh heads up the team; Walsh regularly handles both domestic and international serious fraud, corruption, and money laundering cases. Ben Brandon leads the firm’s extradition sub-group and handles Interpol red notice matters and high-profile extradition cases. Matthew Ewens takes point on SFO investigations into bribery and corruption allegations, with a notable emphasis on crypto trading and tax evasion issues. Nick Dent, who was elevated to the partnership in April 2024, is another key member of the team, as is Min Wiggins, who has significant experience advising on multijurisdictional corruption investigations. Alison Geary left the team in March 2024.

White-collar crime boutique firm Rahman Ravelli has a strong track record acting for senior executives, individuals in the financial services industry, high-net-worth individuals, and entrepreneurs on the full range of criminal matters. Under the leadership of managing partner Azizur Rahman, a seasoned financial crime practitioner with a notable emphasis on multinational fraud investigations, the team is also routinely instructed on compliance matters, self-reporting work, and internal investigations. Niall Hearty is the name to note for global bribery and corruption investigations, while the ‘outstanding‘ Angelika Hellweger takes point on international sanctions mandates. Matthew Cowie joined the firm from Dechert LLP in November 2023.

Under the joint leadership of Stephen Pollard and Richard Burger, WilmerHale’s growing white-collar crime practice routinely represents individuals in significant SFO, NCA, police, and HMRC investigations. The ‘legendary‘ Pollard has an impressive track record handling the full range of business crime and securities enforcement matters, while seasoned white-collar specialist Burger handles both domestic and international regulatory and criminal investigations. Lloyd Firth’s recent caseload includes representing senior individuals in bribery and fraud proceedings.

With notable strength advising in-house legal counsel, money laundering reporting officers, and non-executive directors, A&O Shearman leverages its strong corporate capabilities to represent individuals in high-profile SFO investigations. The ‘truly superb’ Eve Giles specialises in international and domestic corruption, cartels, and insider trading cases. Giles works alongside Calum Burnett and Arnondo Chakrabarti, who co-head the firm’s London litigation and investigations offering. At the associate level, Jessica Rodger represents high-net-worth individuals in internal investigations, while Alastair Madeley ably assists on regulatory investigations.

The crime, fraud, and regulatory team at Bindmans LLP handles the full range of business and financial crime matters, including fraud, corporate manslaughter, and bribery and corruption mandates. Practice head Katie Wheatley, described by clients as a ‘master tactician’, has extensive experience handling both internal investigations and regulatory investigations, particularly for individual clients in the banking sector. Kate Goold takes point on extradition cases related to allegations of financial crime, bribery, and corruption, as well as asset forfeiture proceedings. Tayab Ali handles fraud and money laundering cases, while Catherine Jackson attracts praise for her work on international fraud matters.

The growing team at Greenberg Traurig, LLP routinely acts for individuals facing allegations of money laundering, bribery and corruption, and fraud. Adeptly handling agency enforcement proceedings as well as internal investigations, the team is also well-placed to advise on international sanctions and extradition matters. ‘Really impressive operator‘ Rebecca Meads leads the team and has a solid track record defending clients before the SFO. Alex Swan is the name to note for multijurisdictional bribery and corruption and market abuse investigations. The group also includes a strong team of associates, including Helen Sotillo, Greta Barkle, who assists on cross-border matters, and Gavin Costelloe, who is recommended for work relating to money laundering and fraud allegations, as well as investigations by the Insolvency Service and Companies House.

Acting for senior executives, senior traders, and various other individuals on the full range of white-collar criminal matters, Howard Kennedy LLP attracts praise for its ‘tenacious‘ team. Ian Ryan oversees the group and has a notable emphasis on serious fraud issues, including SFO investigations. Kyle Phillips specialises in advising on financial crime and regulatory matters, particularly relating to money laundering, corruption, fraud, and bribery. Jonathan Huth is a key contact for cross-border investigations. The ‘collaborative, hardworking, and passionate’ Fran Garvey is noted for her sanctions expertise, while the ‘highly committed and enormously thorough‘ Jennifer Harper handles Section 2 notices, SARs, and cash forfeiture proceedings. Also in the core team is barrister Chloe-Jane Belton. September 2023 saw the firm strengthening its financial services investigations offering with the arrival of David Hamilton from Pinsent Masons LLP.

The investigations, compliance, and defence team at Jenner & Block LLP routinely represents boards and senior executives facing government enforcement actions and investigations, as well as internal investigations. With notable strength in cross-border matters, the team has recently advised on sanctions and export control violations, bribery and corruption, money laundering, and workplace misconduct matters. Hailed for her ‘exceptional judgment,’ practice head and managing partner Christine Braamskamp regularly acts for senior executives both domestically and abroad. Robert Dalling is routinely instructed by individuals in the energy, extractive, and real estate industries. The core team also includes Lucy Blake, who was elevated to the partnership in December 2023; Blake is a key contact for human rights, supply chain abuses, and toxic workplace culture investigations. Paul Feldberg left the team in January 2024.

Acting for members of family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and senior executives, the white-collar crime team at Macfarlanes LLP has recently seen an increase in instructions related to international sanctions. Lauded for her experience advising high-net-worth individuals, Lorna Emson now leads the team. Emson works alongside HMRC investigations expert Helen Harvey, described by clients as ‘first class and incredibly diligent‘, and fraud specialist Nikolas Ireland, who was elevated to the partnership in May 2023. Francis Bond is recommended for sanctions and international enforcement matters, handling overseas confiscation and restraint orders as well as Interpol Red Notices. The core team also includes Max Hobbs, recommended for his experience advising individuals exposed to potential money laundering. Neill Blundell left the team in March 2024.

Seated within the firm's broader dispute resolution and litigation department, Norton Rose Fulbright’s white-collar team leverages the firm’s international presence and capabilities to provide a full-service offering that spans the full range of business crime offences. Areas of recent growth for the team includes advising on senior management liability, cross-border mandates, as well as investigations relating to non-financial misconduct. Spearheaded by Neil O’May and Patrick Bourke, the group is routinely instructed to advise both corporates and individual clients. O’May is noted for his experience advising on deferred prosecution agreements as well as SFO self-reports. Andrew Reeves and Katie Stephen handle money laundering mandates, while David Harris is the name to note for cross-border internal investigations. Thomas Hubbard ably assists on SFO corruption and fraud trials. Pamela Reddy left the team in December 2023.

The investigations and white-collar defence team at Paul Hastings LLP maintains a strong offering with notable strength in cross-border matters. Leveraging the firm’s network of international offices, the team routinely handles investigations both in the UK and overseas. Described by clients as a ‘visionary thinker and strategist‘, Jonathan Pickworth oversees the practice; Pickworth acts for both individuals and corporations in bet-the-company investigations and proceedings, handling tax evasion, fraud, corruption, and money laundering matters. The ‘tenacious‘ Joanna Dimmock stands out for her extensive expertise in international corruption, cartel, sanctions, and extradition issues. Dimmock and Pickworth are ably assisted by Tom Hickey on cartel, bribery, and fraud cases before the SFO and DOJ. Stuart Alford KC joined the practice from Latham & Watkins in February 2024, while Rebecca Copcutt left the team in 2023.

Described by clients as an ‘excellent diverse team with a wealth of knowledge,’ Simmons & Simmons’ financial crime team sits within the firm’s broader dispute resolution department and has a strong track record acting for senior executives across the full range of UK enforcement agencies. Former SFO prosecutor Camilla de Silva oversees the team and leverages her experience from the criminal bar to expertly represent senior executives facing allegations of modern slavery and supply chain issues, money laundering, bribery, and tax evasion. Nick Benwell handles multijurisdictional financial crime investigations and also represents individuals being interviewed by the SFO. Emily Agnoli takes point on Interpol Red Notices, HMRC investigations, and bribery matters, with notable emphasis on representing clients in the financial sector. Also in the core team is Cherie Spinks, who stands out for her expertise in money laundering, anti-corruption, and sanctions issues.

ABV Solicitors counts high-profile individuals in the financial services, oil and gas, energy, and insurance sectors among its strong roster of clients. Handling both privately and publicly funded instructions, the team is well-placed to advise on the full spectrum of fraud and white-collar criminal matters on a national basis. Deepak Vij and Akhtar Ahmad jointly oversee the team; Vij has a strong record defending company directors and government officials in SFO investigations, while Ahmad has notable experience handling investigations by overseas law enforcement agencies in the US and Asia. ‘Star performer‘ Amirah Ajaz has a notable focus on serious organised crime and confiscation cases, while Rohit Sharma attracts praise for his ‘excellent strategic mind‘. The core team also includes Fergus Harrington, who ably assists on complex fraud investigations.

Kathleen Harris leads the enforcement and dispute resolution offering at Arnold & Porter, which attracts praise for its ‘extremely hardworking and professional‘ team. Working closely with the firm’s global capabilities and international network of offices, the group is well-placed to advise on significant cross-border and multijurisdictional investigations and proceedings. Described by clients as ‘one of the best tactical corporate lawyers in the field,‘ Harris has extensive experience handling financial fraud cases as well as international sanctions issues. The ‘vastly experienced‘ Sean Curran is another key member of the team noted for his cross-border capabilities. Harris and Curran are ably assisted by the ‘brilliant‘ Maya Paunrana.

Criminal defence boutique firm Bark&co ‘always goes the extra mile’ when representing senior executives, non-executive directors, and clients in the finance sector across the full spectrum of fraud issues. Founding partner Giles Bark-Jones is ‘commercially astute and tactically aware’; he leads the criminal fraud department and takes point on international fraud and corruption cases. David Byrne focuses his broad practice on regulatory investigations, particularly HMRC investigations. For insider dealing and boiler room fraud mandates, Peter Finbow is the name to note, while Maria Stalbow is a key contact for individuals in the financial sector.

Working in close collaboration with its US offices, Cohen & Gresser (UK) LLP excels at advising individuals on regulatory investigations and compliance, criminal defence, and AML and POCA issues; insolvency-related matters also form a core pillar of work for the team. Richard Kovalevsky KC leads the criminal defence team and acts for CEOs and high-net-worth individuals facing allegations of fraud; Kovalevsky also represents individuals facing personal sanctions designation. John Gibson has notable in-agency prosecutorial experience from the SFO and handles the full range of white-collar crime matters and investigations, while Thomas Shortland handles internal and disciplinary investigations.

Acting for business owners, financiers, high-net-worth individuals and senior executives, Cooley (UK) LLP stands out for its ability to advise on the full range of white-collar criminal matters and enforcement action issues, as well as providing assistance regarding reputational concerns. Highly regarded fraud specialist Tom Epps oversees the team; he focuses his practice on investigations work, particularly relating to accounting fraud and allegations of cross-border corruption. Epps works alongside Ben Sharrock and Monica Mylordou; Sharrock handles market manipulation and corruption issues, while Mylordou is recommended for public inquiry work.

Working in close collaboration with its US offices, Dechert LLP leverages the firm’s global capabilities to regularly defend board members, executives, and senior directors in multijurisdictional investigations and proceedings concerning sanctions violations, market manipulation, and insider trading. Former DOJ prosecutor Roger Burlingame oversees the practice and is a key port of call for UK clients facing investigations and proceedings in the US; Matthew Mazur is another key name here. Other key members of the team include bribery specialist Tim Bowden and the ‘very persuasive‘ Evan Flowers. Judith Seddon and Matthew Banham left the team in March 2024.

John Milner leads IBB Law’s criminal defence and business crime and fraud offering, which handles both private and publicly funded fraud defence work. Milner, described by clients as ‘highly intelligent and very industrious’, takes point on corruption issues, and has extensive experience advising clients on major SFO investigations. Working alongside him is Eddie Tang, whose broad caseload includes fraud and income tax issues.

Fraud and criminal defence boutique firm Janes Solicitors is regularly instructed by CEOs, employees, and senior executives on a broad range of mandates, including tax avoidance investigations, SFO investigations, and fraud and bribery matters. Founding partner David Janes leads the team and attracts praise for his ‘brilliant mind‘; Janes’ caseload includes asset recovery and POCA cases, money laundering and tax evasion investigations, and forgery issues. James Mullion takes point on fraud instructions and regulatory matters, while Fiona Gavriel has extensive trial experience with a strong track record securing acquittals for defendants accused of forgery and tax evasion. Also in the team is Simon Barker, a key contact for complex fraud, confiscation, and money laundering issues.

Kobre & Kim LLP stands out for its strong transatlantic capabilities, fielding a team lauded by clients for its ‘unparalleled experience and sophistication in multi-jurisdictional litigation’. Core names in the team include former US DoJ prosecutors Jason Masimore and Nicholas Surmacz, who focus their practices on representing HNWIs in asset forfeiture defence, regulatory enforcement actions, and cross-border investigations. They work alongside Miranda Ching, who acts for senior executives and HNWIs in fraud, bribery, and corruption instructions; Ching attracts praise for her ‘impressive legal and procedural nous and indispensable strategic insight’.

Fielding a ‘highly dynamic‘ team, Russell-Cooke LLP is well-placed to advise individuals across the full spectrum of white-collar crime matters, including tax and insurance fraud, sanctions evasion, fraud and bribery allegations, and money laundering issues. Seasoned complex fraud specialist Jae Carwardine oversees the practice and has a strong track record defending clients in SFO, FCA, HMRC, and CPS investigations, particularly related to international bribery, fraud, and corruption allegations. Frances Murray, described by clients as ‘a force to be reckoned with’, acts for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and senior management on the full range of financial crime matters, including criminal and private prosecutions, unexplained wealth orders, and account freezing orders. Carwardine and Murray work alongside Emily Russell, who has a broad caseload specialising in multi-jurisdictional financial crime issues.

Sidley Austin LLP leverages its global network of offices to provide a white-collar crime and investigations offering with notable strength in multijurisdictional mandates. ‘Truly exceptional‘ former FSA prosecutor Sara George leads the London team and has extensive experience representing both individuals and corporations accused of market abuse, insider trading, and money laundering offences. The core team also includes David Smith, who handles SFO investigations and antitrust issues.

Experienced fraud specialist Philip Smith heads up the fraud, crime, and regulatory team at Simons Muirhead Burton, which acts for investors, diplomats, and individuals in the property, technology, and finance industries. In addition, the group works closely with its crisis management and defamation team to advise on the reputational aspects of criminal investigations. The team also includes ‘fantastic advocate‘ Anthony Burton and the ‘unflappable, reassuring, able and committed‘ Henrietta Ronson. Burton, the firm’s founding partner, has extensive experience handling a diverse array of financial crime mandates, including bribery and corruption investigations as well as art fraud cases, while Ronson is a key contact for bribery, corruption, and tax evasion mandates.

Senior traders, executives, and employees across a diverse array of industries regularly instruct the white-collar crime team at Stephenson Harwood on the full range of financial crime defence matters. Former prosecutor Justin McClelland now heads up the team and takes point on both criminal and regulatory investigations, handling allegations of cartel activity, market misconduct, and internal investigations. David Capps leverages his in-house experience from the banking industry to advise clients on the full range of financial regulatory enforcement matters. The ‘dedicated, compassionate, and brilliant‘ Alan Ward is a key contact for multijurisdictional mandates, while Sean Jeffrey is the name to note for financial sanctions issues.

Fieldfisher counts senior executives in the energy, manufacturing, and automotive sectors among its strong roster of clients. With notable strength in advising witnesses on large-scale investigations as well as internal investigations, the team works closely with the firm’s civil fraud group to provide a comprehensive offering. Under the leadership of ‘excellent‘ barrister Quinton Newcomb, the team also includes Shiv Haria-Shah, who has extensive experience handling multijurisdictional investigations and large-scale compliance mandates, and the ‘bright, talented and hardworking‘ William Glover.

Sona Ganatra and James Carlton jointly lead the team at Fox Williams LLP, which has a notable emphasis on representing senior executives involved in financial crime investigations. The ‘highly perceptive‘ Ganatra leads the financial services offering and co-leads the investigations group, while Carlton heads up the firm’s white-collar crime practice. They are ably supported by Sebastian Sayer and Andrew Marra, who leverage their in-agency experience from the FCA to advise on insider dealing investigations, internal investigations, and sanctions issues. Former co-head Peter Wright remains with the team as a senior consultant.

Susannah Cogman leads the practice at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, which draws on the firm’s strength in corporate crime instructions to advise senior executives and HNWIs on police and HMRC investigations into criminal tax fraud. Also in the core team are Brian Spiro and Kate Meakin; Spiro specialises in multijurisdictional investigations, compliance, and regulatory matters, while Meakin represents clients before the SFO, FCA, HMRC, and the US DoJ. Robert Hunt, highly experienced in cross-border investigations, is also recommended.

The highly regarded Ruth Harris leads the financial crime and regulatory team at Hodge Jones & Allen, which works closely with the firm’s other departments to provide ‘expert proactive assistance’ across all stages of financial crime proceedings. Kiran Mehta, described as a ‘great strategist‘, represents individuals and corporates in pre-charge issues, investigations works, and at the trial stage. Raj Chada, who leads the firm’s larger crime, financial crime, and regulatory department, represents high-profile individuals accused of fraud. Harris, Mehta, and Chada are ably assisted by Francesca Cociani, who handles HMRC investigation.

The ‘highly principled, ambitious, and committed‘ white-collar crime practice at K&L Gates LLP has a strong track record defending CEOs, non-executive directors, and other individuals in SFO and FCA investigations as well as in public inquiries. Dylan Moses oversees the team and takes point on fraud, money laundering, and health and safety-related instructions. Sanctions and extradition mandates form another core pillar of work for the group; Michael Ruck, who has in-house experience from the FCA, is the name to note here. Also in the core team is Rosie Naylor, who attracts praise for her ‘keen eye for detail, excellent work ethic, and calm manner under pressure‘; Naylor is regularly instructed by politicians and third-party campaigners.

Adam Craggs heads up the white-collar and financial crime offering at RPC, which stands out for its strength in tax fraud-related HRMC proceedings. Craggs has specialist expertise in criminal tax investigations and prosecutions, and attracts praise for his ‘unmatched level of experience‘. Also in the core team are Sam Tate, noted for his deferred prosecution agreements expertise, and the ‘fantastic‘ Michelle Sloane, who is dual qualified in New Zealand and England and Wales; Sloane takes point on duty fraud and missing trader intra-community fraud matters.

The growing government investigations and white-collar crime practice at Squire Patton Boggs leverages the firm’s international network of offices to advise on multijurisdictional money laundering, cryptocurrency, and fraud investigations as well as sanctions matters. The ‘simply outstanding‘ Hannah Laming now leads the team and has extensive experience advising both corporates and individuals, including founders, senior executives, and high-net-worth individuals, on the full range of white-collar crime issues. Laming works alongside the ‘extremely responsive and knowledgeable‘ Ben Ticehurst, who regularly represents senior executives facing multijurisdictional fraud, bribery, and corruption investigations, and Wayne Barnes, whose recent caseload includes advising whistleblowers, compliance offices, and sports administrators on a diverse array of financial crime matters.

With strength in cross-border mandates, Steptoe UK LLP regularly advises individuals facing investigations by the SFO and the FCA. Working closely with the firm’s international offices, the team attracts particular praise for its strength in multijurisdictional investigations. Practice head Zoe Osborne attracts praise for her ‘unrivalled‘ expertise in the space and routinely takes point on cross-border financial crime investigations and litigation, including fraud, money laundering, and sanctions breaches.

Stokoe Partnership Solicitors stands out for its expertise across the full spectrum of money laundering, embezzlement, and fraud issues, regularly representing individuals accused of bribery, insider trading, and contract fraud. Richard Cannon oversees the team and takes point on cross-border cases; Amjid Jabbar is another name to note here. Also in the core team are founding partner Bambos Tsiattalou, who clients describe as being ‘on top of his game‘, and Maria Theodoulou, who has a broad criminal defence practice.

Under the joint leadership of Jonah Anderson and Anneka Randhawa, White & Case LLP fields a strong team with notable strength in multijurisdictional mandates, working in close collaboration with its US offices. Anderson focuses his practice on representing high-net-worth individuals facing both internal and criminal investigations, particularly concerning allegations of money laundering, while Randhawa is a key contact for bribery and corruption matters, tax evasion, and fraud mandates. Early 2024 saw the firm strengthening its overall offering with the arrival of seasoned white-collar specialist Neill Blundell, previously at Macfarlanes LLP.

The dedicated practice at Withers LLP adeptly advises high-net-worth individuals, politicians, and private clients on cross-border financial crime matters, with notable emphasis on compliance issues, sanctions and trade control issues, and money laundering regulations. Carl Newman and Harvey Knight jointly lead the team; Newman is a seasoned white-collar specialist with a focus on representing ultra-high-net-worth individuals facing allegations of financial crime and misconduct, while Knight takes point on FCA enforcement cases and financial services regulatory work. Other key figures include litigator Natalie Sherborn, who acts for directors and politicians across all stages of criminal prosecutions.

With strength in criminal tax litigation and money laundering investigations, Kangs Solicitors has notable experience handling international financial crime cases involving price fixing, investment fraud, and insider dealing allegations; the team is also experienced in handling financial cybercrime matters and extradition issues. ‘Highly intelligent and hugely practical’ founding partner Hamraj Kang oversees the practice and is noted for his expertise in contentious tax matters; Kang works alongside John Veale, Helen Holder, and Timothy Thompson, who split their time between the firm’s London and Birmingham offices.

With strength in transatlantic matters, the investigations practice at Pallas Partners LLP fields a team of ‘superior negotiators‘. Matt Getz and Tracey Dovaston jointly lead the team. The ‘exceptionally talented‘ Getz is dual-qualified in the US and the UK, and has a notable focus on governmental and internal investigations, particularly related to corruption issues. Dovaston takes point on investigations and criminal proceedings in the financial services space, acting for senior executives and non-executive directors facing allegations of tax evasion and money laundering. Will Hooker left the team in October 2023.

The ‘utterly exceptional‘ Mark Jones leads the white-collar crime practice at Payne Hicks Beach LLP, which stands out for its strength in acting for ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Collaborating closely with the firm’s dispute resolution, private client, and family departments, the group is also well-placed to advise on the privacy, reputation, and media aspects of financial crime cases; Hanna Basha and Nick Grant are key names here. Paul Dorrans left the team in September 2023.

Under the leadership of Julian Richards, who is based in Oxford, and Mark Abbott, the financial crime team at criminal law boutique Reeds Solicitors has notable expertise in HMRC investigations, bribery and corruption allegations, and cryptocurrency issues, a recent area of increased activity for the group. Also in the core team is ‘great clear thinker‘ Sundeep Soor, recommended for extradition cases and asset forfeiture issues.

Shearman Bowen & Co ably handles both large-scale fraud and bribery cases as well as POCA matters and money laundering issues. Founding partner Mark Bowen heads up the practice and acts for both individuals and corporations facing major fraud allegations, and is lauded by his clients for his ‘great judgment and strategic sense’. Bowen works alongside fraud specialist Vivien Cochrane, who concentrates her practice on account freezing order proceedings and POCA issues. Arlene Mansoor left the team in January 2024.