The Legal 500

The ‘ outstanding’ team at Allen & Overy LLP is widely known as a leader in the field. Robert Hunter’s ‘ bloodhound instinct’ ensures ‘ he gets to the bottom of things’, working alongside the ‘ tenacious’ Mona Vaswani. They advised HSBC on the multimillion-pound fraud claim relating to deposits made into accounts controlled by Liberal Democrat donor Michael Brown. Sidney Myers heads the regulatory investigations group, advising financial clients on FSA enforcement and other matters.

The addition of Carlos Conceicao, a former head of regulatory enforcement at the FSA, adds weight to client statements that Clifford Chance is ‘ the best regulatory investigations firm in the City’. Roger Best‘ works like a demon’, while the ‘ first-class’ Simon Davis is praised by clients who also note the firm’s ability to ‘ co-ordinate efforts across borders’. The group recently acted for a major bank in a global review of its payment activities.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP has a ‘ strong’ fraud group, whose recent highlights include securing the recovery of significant assets for the Brunei Investment Agency. Ian Taylor is part of a team advising a number of financial groups affected by the Parmalat collapse, and the London group has also been combining with colleagues in Milan to advise various institutions on an investigation regarding allegedly fraudulent tax filings.

At Herbert Smith LLP, David Mayhew and Martyn Hopper are recognised FSA experts and act for a number of financial institutions, while the ‘ dynamic’ Simon Bushell has ‘ particular experience’ in Russian issues, and is working on Tajik Aluminium Plant’s fraud claim against its former director. The firm is also advising BSkyB on its breach of contract and deceit claim against EDS. It is noted as ‘ extremely effective on pre-emptive remedies’.

Alan Walls’ team at Linklaters LLP is increasingly active in bribery and corruption matters. It conducted an internal investigation for an international manufacturing group regarding accounting issues in its subsidiaries, and is also advising PwC regarding issues related to the collapse of the MG Rover group. Diana Good is ‘ proactive’ and ‘knowledgeable’, and the team is noted for its thoroughness.

Fraud disputes with an international flavour are Lovells LLP’s specialism. The ‘ meticulous’ Jeremy Cole is a ‘ first-rate’ insolvency practitioner who acted for the receiver of a BVI company following the collapse of a joint energy venture in the former Soviet Union. Crispin Rapinet heads the group, which is increasingly active in the Middle East region.

Specialist fraud firm Peters & Peters has ‘ achieved huge things’ in this area, regularly acting in high-value matters such as representing the NHS in its £100m price fixing claims against pharmaceutical companies. The ‘ tenacious’ yet ‘ realistic’ team includes Keith Oliver and Jonathan Tickner, who both‘ maintain perspective’in order to‘ secure the desired outcome’. Steve McCann and Tony Lewis also both impress clients.

At Ashurst LLP, Jane Hanna is praised for her ‘ thoroughness’ and ‘ candour’, and conducted an investigation into a longstanding fraud discovered at a subsidiary of Alfred McAlpine. Group head Edward Sparrow has ‘ presence’.

A ‘ focused’ fraud unit, Andrew Keltie’s team at Baker & McKenzie LLP is acting for an overseas central bank and the relevant national prosecution authority in a multi-jurisdictional asset tracing matter. Arun Srivastava is recommended for ‘ high-level’ regulatory work.

The lawyers at Mishcon De Reya‘ understand what wins cases’, emphasising ‘ return on investment’ in asset tracing matters. A practitioner ‘ at the top of his field’, Gary Miller is representing an international pharmaceutical group following a complex employee fraud involving millions of pounds in improper payments. Dan Morrison is a ‘ powerhouse’.

Norton Rose LLP has advised a number of its AIM-listed clients in relation to fraud allegations, with recent work including an internal investigation into the circumstances leading to the suspension of trading in the shares of Itacare Capital Investments. The firm continues to act in the claims facing Ranbaxy. James Bagge is highly recommended.

Nick Benwell’s team at Simmons & Simmons is representing an international investment bank under investigation for fraud in the UK and Hong Kong. This ‘ commercial’ group ‘ responds intelligently to complex problems’. Robert Turner is ‘ impressive’ in financial regulatory disputes.

Elizabeth Barrett’s ‘ resourceful’ team at Slaughter and May continues to represent BA in the face of raids by the OFT, European Commission and US Department of Justice. The ‘ terrific’ Sarah Lee advises MAN in its claims for damages following the purchase of ERF.

Stephenson Harwood is representing Venezuela state petrol company Pedevesa as international corporations fight efforts to nationalise the country’s assets. Alongside John Fordham, Paolo Ghirardani is ‘ a favourite’. Tony Woodcock is ‘ sensible and down to earth’.

Byrne and Partners’ Bernard O’Sullivan and Nicola Boulton are noted for their ‘ hands-on approach’. The team secured awards in excess of US$1bn for Yukos Oil in four arbitration proceedings, and is now acting in the first FSA criminal prosecution for insider dealing. Michael Potts‘ inspires confidence’.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is defending an entity against two separate fraud actions by Russian shipping companies, for alleged misappropriation of transaction commissions. Simon Morris is ‘ well regarded’ in the financial regulatory arena.

Jones Day continues to act for Langbar in proceedings against former directors, and is defending Goldshield against price-fixing allegations. Sion Richards is ‘ effective’.

The ‘ high-calibre’ Andrew Witts at LG is acting for the Government of Brazil in the ongoing matter of alleged fraud by former Sao Paulo mayor Paulo Maluf. Hailed as ‘ one to watch’, the firm added three partners from Dorsey & Whitney.

SJ Berwin LLP’s Tim Beale is representing the head of a publishing group in a £10m fraud claim. The ‘ very capable’ Justin Michaelson joined from Weil, Gotshal & Manges.

At Taylor Wessing LLP, David de Ferrars is one of a number of asset tracing specialists praised for ‘ high standards’ and a ‘ practical approach’.

Travers Smith LLP represented Natwest in its high-profile case against Rabobank, as well as advising RBS on a range of Enron-related issues. Jonathan Leslie is ‘ experienced’ and ‘ analytical’.

Elizabeth Robertson’s arrival from Peters & Peters has strengthened Addleshaw Goddard’s fraud group. Pietro Marino is acting for Cube Capital in a misappropriation of funds claim.

The arrival of the ‘ experienced’ Nathan Willmott from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP adds regulatory capability to Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s fraud group. Segun Osuntokun also joined the firm, from DLA Piper UK LLP.

‘ Quality’ small firm Bivonas is acting for investors in a fraud claim against HSBC. John Bechelet is ‘ extremely competent’. The firm is set to be joined by Mark Rainsford QC from 23 Essex Street.

Among a number of cases with Russian links, Clyde & Co LLP is representing Ansol in the TadAZ dispute. Paul Friedman‘ means business’.

The ‘ dedicated’ Neil Gerrard and Jonathan Pickworth at DLA Piper UK LLP provide ‘ pragmatic’ and‘ no-nonsense’ advice on international fraud matters.

Noel Campbell’s team at Holman Fenwick Willan is representing a broker accused of arranging secret commissions in the Fiona Trust and Intrigue Shipping matter.

Ince & Co is currently engaged on three large shipping fraud cases, with clients including Russia’s Novoship and Sovcomflot.

Morgan Lewis has the ‘ excellent’ Robert Goldspink, and represented Rabobank in its dispute with NatWest.

Osborne Clarke’s ‘ distinguished’ Adrian Lifely is acting for CDH Investments in battle for the Tajikistan aluminium industry.

Andrew Ford at Withers LLP acted for the defendants in the Langbar claim.

BCL Burton Copeland is representing a trader in an FSA investigation into AIM share dealings. Robert Lawrie has joined the firm from Farrar's Building.

James Irvine has moved his team from Howrey LLP to Bristows, and continues to represent DaimlerChrysler following the collapse of Castor Holdings.

John Rupp heads Covington & Burling LLP's European fraud practice, and has wide-ranging experience advising international companies subject to multi-jurisdictional regulation.

Gerallt Owen has joined Crowell & Moring from Eversheds LLP.

Davenport Lyons is advising companies involved in the alleged fraud at Music Sales Group. Trevor Sears provides ‘a personal service’.

Nick Burkill at Dorsey & Whitney is handling a £3.5m corruption matter for a top 20 UK plc.

Edwin Coe LLP represents the Langbar Shareholder Association, and is frequently seen in Africa-related fraud cases.

Paul Worth at Eversheds LLP has handled million-pound mortgage fraud cases for HSBC and Alliance & Leicester.

Representing a former Mayflower director, Farrer & Co secured a half-million pound award from the accountancy regulator.

Irwin Mitchell is acting for two investors in a £30m fraudulent misrepresentation claim, involving proceedings in the UK and abroad. Alan Owens and team head Jonathan Wheeler left for Morrison & Foerster MNP.

Kingsley Napley regularly represents individuals in FSA investigations.

The ‘ focused’ and ‘ creative’ Steven Philippsohn at PCB Litigation LLP has experience in high-value international asset disputes.

Shearman & Sterling LLP is representing Volvo, under investigation by the US Securities and Exchange Commission regarding its participation in the UN Oil for Food programme.

Steptoe & Johnson is acting for the world’s largest oil service company in a multi-jurisdictional corruption investigation.