Fintech in London

Allen & Overy LLP's strong connections with financial services authorities see it remain at the forefront of regulatory issues shaping the fintech arena. In addition, its regular involvement in major fintech projects ensures that the firm maintains a strong profile among traditional and emerging technology platforms. Ben Regnard-Weinrabe, who heads up the practice, focuses on payments, retail banking and consumer finance matters. Etay Katz left for Ashurst in May 2021.

Clifford Chance LLP's presence in the fintech space sees it advise clients such as start-ups, large corporates and institutional banking clients. The fintech offering covers advice on a myriad of transactional, regulatory and contentious issues, with the firm drawing on strengths from a broad cross-section of departments. Clients count on the expertise of practitioners active in areas such as M&A, capital markets, dispute resolution, technology, data privacy, antitrust and cybersecurity, among others. The team has expert knowledge of developing technologies, such as blockchain, smart contracts and artificial intelligence (AI), making it well- placed to handle high-profile fintech mandates. Simon Crown, Jonathan Kewley and Kate Scott now jointly lead the group, following Peter Chapman's retirement. Monica Sah  is knowledgeable about a wide ambit of legal and regulatory issues shaping the fintech arena, particularly those concerning global financial institutions and disruptor blockchain providers; her expertise includes financial and crypto asset product structuring, as well as the regulation of crypto exchanges and custody under AMLD5. In 2020, Oliver Pegden  made partner, while Simon Persoff joined from DLA Piper. In May 2021, Paul Ellison joined from Macfarlanes LLP.

Hogan Lovells International LLP's fintech offering is drawn from the firm's strengths in financial services regulation, IP, technology, corporate transactions and data protection. Emily Reid (who is a co-head of the global fintech practice) has over 30 years of experience in the fast-moving payments, consumer finance, merchant acquiring and banking industries. John Salmon is knowledgeable about the legal and regulatory issues related to blockchain technology. The practice counts start-ups, alternative lending companies, global banks and other financial institutions among its clientele. James Black made partner in 2020.

As ‘the crème de la crème of the fintech market’, Latham & Watkins leans on its international network and strong US presence to provide wide-ranging advice to financial institutions, fintech companies and internet companies developing financial offerings. The firm acts for clients on projects involving areas such as blockchain, cryptocurrency, payments and electronic trading. It is able to advise businesses on their full lifecycle, from embryonic ideas to initial public offerings (IPOs) and beyond. The multidisciplinary team offers expertise in financial products and market infrastructure knowledge, technology and commercial matters, and regulatory issues. Team head Andrew Moyle has notable experience of payments and transfers, insurtech and virtual currencies. Stuart Davis is recommended for market infrastructure, blockchain, cryptocurrency and non-fungible token (NFT) matters. In 2020, Shing Lo joined from Bird & Bird LLP, while Mike Turner was hired from Taylor Wessing LLP.

Linklaters LLP has a multidisciplinary approach to fintech matters and the team in London is able to draw on the resources of the wider global network for additional expertise. With the firm having strong relationships with regulators, it is at the forefront of regulatory issues impacting emerging fintech companies and larger established entities. It also assists with risk management, as well as investigations and enforcement actions. Particular areas of focus include payment systems and digital payments, digital assets, digitisation of financial markets, investment and corporate work, as well as data, cyber and tech disputes. Julian Cunningham-Day advises large financial services institutions and clients in other highly regulated industries, with a focus on data management, outsourcing, M&A and compliance. Harry Eddis is a go-to for advice on financial markets regulation, while Fionnghuala Griggs undertakes corporate work. Managing associate Richard Hay is experienced in new product development in the market infrastructures sphere.

With Norton Rose Fulbright having historical strengths in both the financial services and technology sectors, it is able to leverage its capabilities across a number of key disciplines to provide a full service to clients. It houses practitioners whose expertise spans areas such as banking, financial services regulatory, IP/IT, data privacy, payments and tax. The firm has recently been acting on a number of funding matters for fintech businesses, and it also advises on P2P platforms, payment systems, insurtech, regtech and cryptocurrencies. Sean Murphy counts start-ups, investors, banks and asset managers among his clientele. Nicholas Berry handles M&A, regulatory and transactional work. Victoria Birch and Imogen Garner are recommended for blockchain matters, while Hannah Meakin is recommended for advice on regulatory matters and cryptocurrency issues. Senior associate Charlotte Rowlandson has notable experience of corporate work, including venture capital and growth equity investments. Madeline Bailey joined as a consultant from an in-house role at MS Amlin.

Slaughter and May advises financial services and technology clients on their most complex and strategically significant projects in the fintech arena. The firm's workload spans areas such as blockchain/distributed ledgers, payments and insurtech, among various others. Its practice includes individuals whose knowledge covers regulatory, technology, IP and data issues, among other areas. Also notable is that the firm continues to run an incubator programme known as Fast Forward, which supports technology entrepreneurs and innovators in growth-stage companies. Ben Kingsley is recommended for governance, emerging markets and AI issues. He co-heads the practice with Rob Sumroy. Another key individual is Duncan Blaikie, who leads the firm's blockchain working group. Laura Houston made partner in May 2021.

Addleshaw Goddard is well-placed to provide a full service to clients in the fintech arena, with it fielding first-rate financial regulatory, private equity, commercial contracts, payments and technology practices. It also handles litigation for financial firms and has recently seen an uptick in fintech instructions from its Asia offices. Fiona Ghosh, who leads the fintech practice, focuses on payment solutions and specialises in the intersection of technology and regulated markets. William James is recommended for paytech, outsourcing and technology platforms.

Ashurst is seen as a first port of call by fintech innovators and financial institutions, with it having an excellent reputation in cutting-edge and transformational fintech projects. It offers a fintech legal labs programme, which is highlighted for ‘bringing some outstanding companies together from around the world, and also refreshing views of businesses that are not seen elsewhere’. The team draws on strengths from a number of practice areas, including finance, competition, corporate, disputes, employment and tax. David Futter co-heads the fintech practice with Tara Waters, who has notable expertise in new technologies. In 2020, Jonathan Cohen joined from Clyde & Co LLP, and in another development, Bradley Rice was promoted to partner. Etay Katz joined from Allen & Overy LLP in May 2021.

Bird & Bird LLP has notable expertise in payments, crowdfunding, open banking and blockchain. The practice is often seen in international mandates and it is noted for its strengths in handling corporate, commercial and regulatory matters for fintech clients. Other areas of focus include advice on Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2) and Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) matters. Christian Bartsch is recommended for his expertise in emerging and disruptive technologies. He co-heads the practice with Trystan Tether, who is particularly active in the electronic banking and financial services, electronic cash, cryptocurrency and payment mechanisms sectors.

Deloitte Legal acquired Kemp Little LLP in February 2021, which saw it take on the latter firm's fintech practice. The amalgamated entity also benefits from ancillary support from Deloitte’s non-legal disciplines, including consulting, software development, risk advisory and tax. It acts for start-ups and established fintech companies on open banking, cryptocurrencies and blockchain, electronic payments, AI and regulatory matters, among others. ‘Formidable advocate’ Chris Hill is ‘the go-to Gandalf in the intricate world of technology legal advice’. Hill is a thought leader on mobile payments and is well-supported by Jacob Ghanty, who focuses on financial services regulation. Rich Folsom made partner in April 2020.

The fintech team at DLA Piper handles a broad range of mandates for its clients, such as assistance with strategic projects, regulatory advice, financing and seed investments. Its cross-practice approach sees the firm act for banks and challenger banks, private equity and venture capital investors, asset managers, and trading platforms and exchanges. Martin Bartlam has expertise in technology solutions for new and traditional funding structures, while Anthony Day handles outsourcing and transformation projects. Bartlam and Day jointly lead the practice with Bryony Widdup, who is recommended for funding work. In 2020, Sophie Lessar joined from Simmons & Simmons, and in another key development, legal director David Cook was hired from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP's practice has built up a sizeable client base since its inception in 2015, with it acting for fintech companies, financial institutions (including challenger banks) and investors. It advises clients on a wide range of matters, such as M&A and investment transactions, IPOs, private fundraises, product-specific regulations and data protection. Matthew Gough focuses on commercial arrangements, IT and outsourcing agreements and software licensing. Simon Gamlin and Craig Rogers are also key individuals in the group. James Burnie left for gunnercooke LLP in 2020.

Fieldfisher’s cross-practice team comprises of lawyers with expertise in areas such as finance, regulatory, IT and corporate. It advises large tech companies who wish to acquire or invest in fintechs, and financial firms who are investing in fintech solutions. The practice has particular expertise in platform regulation and risk management, receivables finance, corporate fundraising, payment services and open banking. Simon Briskman, who leads the practice, is experienced in advising banks and other financial institutions on technology and outsourcing. James Walsh is recommended for commercial work and digital regulation. Stephen Moller is experienced in fintech-enabled funding platforms.

The ‘very approachable and commercially-minded’ team at Osborne Clarke LLP is active in the consumer finance, technology, AI, data protection, corporate and commercial spheres of fintech. Regulatory and dispute resolution work is another mainstay of the work undertaken by the firm, which acts for clients such as start-ups and growth businesses, challenger banks and large mainstream financial institutions. It has particular experience of structural, strategic and commercial transformations, and digitisation. With former practice head Kate Johnson leaving the practice in April 2020, the team is now jointly led by Nikki Worden and Mark Wesker. Worden is ‘effective, pragmatic and highly experienced’ and often acts for digital banks, lenders, innovators and platforms. Wesker is recommended for M&A, takeovers and IPOs.

The Bristows LLP team is ’approachable, highly experienced and commercial in its advice’. With a reputation for technology and IP, the firm is well-placed to handle fintech matters, and often does so internationally, dealing with both contentious and non-contentious work. Specific areas of focus include AI, robotics, DLT and blockchain, for which it provides advice to challenger banks, investors, academic institutions, banks and large corporates. The practice is led by Louise Eldridge, who advises fintech clients on M&A, venture capital investments and joint ventures. She is also knowledgeable about financial services regulatory issues. Vikram Khurana made partner in May 2020.

Dentons combines the strengths of its TMT and financial regulation practices to advise on high-value payments, electronic money, crypto, digital banking and IT outsourcing transactions. It acts for innovative banks, non-traditional lenders and fintech firms. ‘Outstanding partner’ Jonathan Garforth co-heads the team with Martin Fanning (who is recommended for IT matters in the financial services industry) and Alison Bryce.

Fox Williams LLP's team acts for a large number of disruptors in the fintech space and has particular experience of advising on investments into start-ups and growth companies. Leveraging expertise in financial services regulation, data privacy, IP, corporate and tax law, the team is well-placed to handle both contentious and non-contentious matters. Practice head Jonathan Segal has noted expertise in P2P lending, while Chris Finney is recommended for commercial and regulatory matters. Kolvin Stone joined from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (UK) LLP in June 2020.

Mayer Brown International LLP advises a range of clients, including start-ups, global financial institutions and tech companies. Its broad expertise includes fintech-related IP matters, cloud-related outsourcing agreements, cryptocurrency and blockchain projects. On the emerging technology side, the practice handles transactional work, disputes and regulatory matters. Mark Prinsley leads the IP and IT group and also the outsourcing practice; he has considerable experience of conducting outsourcing projects for large financial institutions. Oliver Yaros is recommended for digital transformation projects and IP transactions.

Travers Smith LLP's cross-departmental team draws on strengths in technology, corporate, financial services and dispute resolution to advise a range of clients, such as start-ups, fintech giants and large financial institutions. Dan Reavill is recommended for IT matters, such as those concerning software, data and AI. He co-heads the practice with Tim Lewis, who is active in the financial market infrastructure and payments spaces. Senior consultant Mark Evans is also recommended for payments work.

At Burges Salmon LLP, Martin Cook (who joined from WorldRemit in December 2020) leads the fintech practice. The team's work covers blockchain and cryptocurrency projects, payments and lending, data protection and cyber security, among various other areas. Also notable is that it handles a significant amount of government policy-related work and is at the forefront of legislative developments in the fintech arena. Sarah Kenshall moved to BPE Solicitors LLP in October 2020.

With a strong technology infrastructure and IP practice, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP is well placed to handle fintech matters and is particularly active in the commercial and regulatory aspects of the sector. The practice has particular expertise in cryptocurrency, blockchain, regtech and payments technology. Co-head of team Mark Bailey specialises in regulated IT sector contracting, with a focus on the financial services sector. William Garner, who jointly heads the team, handles regulatory matters.

Gowling WLG assists clients with debt and equity investments in the fintech sector, and it also handles IP, commercial contracts, regulatory issues and platform structuring matters. Clients of the firm include start-ups and other fast-growth companies, listed funds, crypto asset firms, banks and other financial institutions. David Brennan and Ian Mason co-head the multidisciplinary team, which has notable blockchain and distributed ledger technology expertise. The group in London is part of a larger international practice that acts for clients globally.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (UK) LLP advises a range of investor clients on investments into fintech businesses, and it also acts for fintech companies on regulatory and transactional matters. Working closely with its colleagues in the US, the team is well-placed to handle transatlantic matters, including those concerning payments, ICOs, blockchain and crypto. Jacqui Hatfield, Chris Grew and Shawn Atkinson co-head the team. Marco Boldini, who joined from PwC LLP in 2020, splits his time between London and Milan.

Taylor Wessing LLP, which has a well-established reputation in the technology industry, excels in handling corporate and investment matters for fintech companies and investors. It advises on a range of issues associated with new and emerging technologies, such as mobile payments, cloud computing, AI blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Graham Hann assists clients with commercial, IT and data-related issues. He co-heads the team with Angus Miln, who is recommended for venture capital and private equity transactions, and Charlotte Hill, who has expertise in financial services regulatory issues.

White & Case LLP is able to cover all the legal, regulatory and commercial issues facing its clients, which is underpinned by its strengths across a multitude of disciplines, as well as its international reach. The team's work spans areas such as payment services and e-money, crypto assets and data usage. Fintech-related corporate and finance transactions are among the drivers of activity, as are regulatory matters, IP, cybersecurity and dispute resolution. The practice is jointly led by Jonathan Rogers and Guy Potel.

Wiggin LLP provides international regulatory advice and support on corporate transactions, investments, IP issues and commercial matters. Its team's experience spans cryptocurrencies, ICOs, mobile and online payment services, as well as e-money services. David Naylor counts digital media, internet and mobile technology businesses among his clientele. He co-heads the practice with Jason Fisher, who is recommended for advice on regulatory issues. Calum Smyth joined from an in-house role at Barclays in July 2020.

Browne Jacobson LLP fields a team that ‘understands fintech and start-ups’. It focuses on investments into fintech companies, and also handles corporate and regulatory matters, as well as dispute resolution. Clients include insurers, SMEs and AIM-listed fintechs. Declan Cushley jointly leads the practice with Jon Snade, who is recommended for insurtech matters.

In May 2020, Mills & Reeve LLP’s fintech offering was bolstered by the arrival of Jagvinder Singh Kang from Codified Legal. He now jointly leads the team with Kevin Calder. The practice has considerable experience in corporate and financial deals in the fintech sector, and it also handles IT and data protection matters.

Squire Patton Boggs' work for clients in the fintech sector covers corporate and finance transactions, as well as a wide ambit of regulatory issues. Robert Bray, who heads up the team, is experienced in including private equity and venture capital work. It acts for start-ups and banks, both in the UK, and globally. In a recent development, Julian Thatcher joined from an in-house role at MHMK Capital.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP acts for financial institutions, tech companies and regulators, and utilises its transatlantic presence to handle fintech matters with an international dimension. It draws on the expertise of practitioners in areas such as IP, technology, corporate and litigation to advise on the development of new businesses and fintech products. Alastair Mitton heads up the team.