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The focus of this section is on criminal fraud by companies and related regulatory investigations.

Allen & Overy LLP advised a number of FTSE 350 clients on allegations of bribery and corruption; and defended BAE Systems plc in the SFO’s corruption inquiry. The team also has expertise in sanctions work and competition law. Jonathan Hitchin, Arnondo Chakrabarti and regulatory expert Calum Burnett are well-known leaders in the field.

The team at BCL Burton Copeland has considerable strength in depth. ‘Consummate team leader’ Ian Burton is widely thought of as ‘the finest criminal fraud lawyer by a long stretch’; ‘if there is a chance of nipping an investigation in the bud, he will do it’. Praise is also high for Richard Sallybanks. The team recruited Michael Drury, previously of the SFO and more recently director for legal affairs at the Government Communications Headquarters.

Clifford Chance is particularly active advising clients in the financial services sector. Highlights included advising a leading financial services institution regarding a criminal prosecution arising from a €400m derivative transaction. Roger Best is well regarded, and senior associate Judith Seddon is also recommended.

DLA Piper UK LLP saw the loss of Neil Gerrard and Jonathan Pickworth to Dechert LLP in 2011, but hired the experienced and well-respected Jo Rickards from Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP. Simon Airey and Duncan Wiggetts both have a wealth of experience across the board, and other members of the team include former senior employees of the SFO and HMRC.

Herbert Smith LLP is advising several multinationals on the UK aspects of international bribery and corruption investigations; and is acting for a large financial services client in an ongoing FSA investigation. Peter Burrell leads the team, and Graham More is also highly recommended.

Linklaters LLP has continued to advise BAE in corruption investigations by the SFO and DOJ. Other recent work includes acting for the administrators of Torex Retail plc (in administration) in an SFO investigation. John Turnbull’s ‘excellent judgment is first class, and a rare commodity’; and Satindar Dogra is ‘very tenacious and able to drive matters forward’.

Despite the loss of Jo Rickards to DLA Piper UK LLP, Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP has seen an increase in instructions from large corporate clients. Highlights included acting on a groundbreaking matter for Hermitage Capital, where the team approached the Council of Europe in its quest to find redress for the client regarding a fraud allegedly perpetrated by the Russian authorities. Michael O’Kane is practice head, and Anand Doobayis also recommended.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP has a growing reputation in this field. Recent work includes advising the Pakistan Cricket Board regarding the police investigation into spot fixing. Elizabeth Robertson is ‘determined, charming, very experienced, and has good judgment and really cares’, and is also advising some household names on corruption matters.

Crowell & Moring has a broad practice and is acting on a wide range of investigations involving regulators in multiple jurisdictions. Recent work includes advising on an SFO investigation into a £52m pension fraud. Practice head Gerallt Owen is well known and highly recommended.

Eversheds LLP has a broad practice, and has been acting in a number of international corruption cases. The team is also on the fraud and money laundering panels of the Nationwide Building Society and Santander. Neill Blundell is recommended.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP acted in a substantial number of complex multi-jurisidictional investigations for FTSE 100 clients. Highlights included advising a major publishing group on two separate matters involving fraud, corruption and money laundering issues in East and West Africa. Paul Lomas and Raj Parker are well known in the field.

Hogan Lovells International LLP’s global capability in this area is hard to beat; it has experience in conducting investigations in Africa and many CIS states, as well as strong US capability. The team has been particularly busy advising major international clients on the impact of the Bribery Act. Jeremy Cole leads the team.

Kingsley Napley LLP has one of the largest teams in this field. Recent work includes advising a global company in complex, multi-party criminal proceedings. Stephen Gentle has ‘a practice to die for, and which he manages with calm and realistic aplomb’; and Mark Beardsworth is ‘well known, and brilliant with clients and fellow solicitors in other firms’. Stephen Pollard has ‘a legendary reputation for his work against the FSA’.

Russell Jones & Walker has a strong track record in this area. In 2010, the team succeeded in negotiating the termination of several investigations, including for Indiclaim in an SFO investigation regarding the administration of the world’s biggest compensation scheme. Rod Fletcher and Jeremy Summers are highly recommended.

Simmons & Simmons has extensive experience in working with the full range of regulatory authorities in high-profile criminal and regulatory investigations. The team, led by the highly respected Nick Benwell, has been advising a company in relation to the SFO’s investigation into the UN Oil for Food Programme.

Recent work for Richard Swallow at Slaughter and May includes guiding GlaxoSmithKline through an SFO and DOJ investigation into the UN Oil for Food Programme, with the SFO’s investigation recently discontinued. Jonathan Cotton is advising on an overseas corruption investigation, and assisting a global company in relation to sanctions regimes.

Arun Srivastava at Baker & McKenzie LLP advised the EBRD on corporate crime and corruption issues; and is advising a major high-profile multinational company on an internal money laundering investigation. Andrew Keltie heads the firm’s business crime unit.

Bivonas LLP has successfully defended some blue-chip clients regarding allegations of overseas corruption, and fraudulent commission payments. The experienced Antony Brown heads the team.

Neil Micklethwaite at Brown Rudnick LLP ‘shines with good judgment, thorough preparation and an acute intellect’. Recent work includes acting for the Hermitage Fund in liaising with Interpol and SOCA regarding the alleged destruction of the fund by Russian authorities; and advising GLG Partners in the SFO’s investigation into Torex.

Covington & Burling LLP has a strong US presence, and recently welcomed Robert Amaee, previously head of the anti-corruption unit at the SFO, adding to the firm’s capabilities in advising international companies on anti-bribery and money laundering issues involving UK and US regulators. John Rupp leads the team.

Karolos Seeger at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP specialises in internal investigations with a focus on corrupt practices. Recent work includes advising Ferrostaal AG in an extensive internal compliance investigation regarding allegations of corruption in several jurisdictions.

Tony Lewis at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is well placed to advise clients on the new Bribery Act. Other recent work includes advising a large financial services business regarding an SFO investigation prompted by an FBI request. It is ‘an impressive firm with a strong work ethic’, and ‘a real pleasure to work with’.

Kirkland & Ellis International LLP acted in investigations into overseas corruption practices regarding the US Oil for Food Programme; and advised a major media and entertainment company in relation to possible fraudulent and criminal conduct surrounding an acquisition.

McGrigors LLP has been advising companies in the oil and gas, financial and construction sectors on sanctions and export control compliance. Other highlights included advising numerous blue-chip companies on Bribery Act compliance programmes. William Christopher heads the team.

Kevin Roberts at Morrison & Foerster (UK) LLP has been advising a global company on large-scale overseas corruption allegations; and advising a client regarding allegations of bribery relating to a number of multimillion-dollar contracts under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Norton Rose LLP has been particularly active advising corporates on the development and implementation of comprehensive anti-corruption programmes in light of the new Bribery Act. Recent work for Charles Evans includes advising a major multinational company in an ongoing SFO investigation into bribery and corruption.

The highly respected Anthony Barnfather leads the team at Pannone LLP, dividing his time between Manchester and London; the firm opened a new office in London in 2010, headed up Sara Teasdale, who returned from Roiter Zucker Solicitors.

Pinsent Masons’ sector-led approach has led to an increase in instructions from clients requiring advice on anti-corruption and money laundering issues. Barry Vitou leads the team, which has been busy on advisory work and investigations for major clients in the oil and gas, pharmaceutical, transport and technology sectors.

Although relatively new to this practice area, Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP has made a notable impact on the market, with clients ‘impressed by its preparation, enthusiasm and attention to detail ’. Steven Francis and senior associate Richard Burger are both former FSA enforcement lawyers.

Shearman & Sterling LLP is well placed to advise on the US and UK aspects of fraud matters. Jo Rickard heads the team.

Matthew Cowie at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP has been involved in some of the SFO’s highest-profile overseas corruption investigations. Gary DiBianco leads the team.

Steptoe & Johnson has UK and US qualified lawyers who advise on bribery and money laundering investigations involving both UK and US regulators. Ray Werbicki is the key figure in the team following the recent departure of Tom Sprange to King & Spalding International LLP.

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