Clifford Chance LLP has expertise across M&A, technology, data privacy, financial regulation and insurtech matters. Other areas of focus include capital markets, tax, antitrust, intellectual property, ethics, cybersecurity and litigation work. The practice advises tech-focused corporates and financial institutions, regulators and governments, insurance companies, financial investors and disruptors. Simon Crown leads the team alongside Jonathan Kewley, with the latter focusing on the cutting-edge areas of technology ethics, data, AI, cybersecurity and blockchain regulation. Kate Scott completes the leadership trio, specialising in fintech litigation. Monica Sah is recognised for her work relating to regulatory change for global financial institutions and disruptor blockchain providers. André Duminy, also head of the firm’s London technology sector focus group, global outsourcing department and UK commercial practice, is another key member of the team, while senior associate Diego Ballon Ossio advises technology companies, financial institutions and other market participants on the regulatory aspects of digital asset trading and custody issues.

Hogan Lovells International LLP focuses on the fintech, virtual currency, blockchain, payments, consumer finance, robo-advice and transactional banking sectors. The practice has seen an increase in instructions in relation to blockchain and digital assets, cryptocurrency and buy now pay later issues. The firm’s expertise in fintech extends across a number of practice groups, including the financial services regulation, corporate transactions, intellectual property, technology, and data protection practices. Global head of fintech Emily Reid leads the team and has considerable experience advising established players and start-ups who are disrupting and challenging traditional financial technology models. John Salmon oversees the blockchain and digital assets practice; he is recommended for handling IT services contracts relating to development projects, software licensing, cloud issues, and systems integrations. James Black and Jonathan Chertkow deal with fintech regulatory issues, and Anthony Doolittle is another key name to note.

Latham & Watkins advises traditional financial institutions, investors, emerging fintech businesses as well as internet companies that are developing financial offerings, such as payment and lending platforms. The cross-disciplinary team handles matters relating to blockchain, cryptocurrency, tokenisation, payments, cloud, artificial intelligence, electronic trading, cybersecurity, digital banking and technology outsourcing. Practice head Andrew Moyle advises clients across the fintech space on technological issues, encompassing payments and transfers, insurtech and virtual currencies. Stuart Davis is recommended for his work on market infrastructure, blockchain and tokenisation, cryptocurrency, Web3 and payment services mandates. Christian McDermott has considerable experience in payments and cryptocurrencies, and Fiona Maclean supports fintech clients on data privacy and strategy issues.

Linklaters LLP provides the full spectrum of transactional and regulatory advice on fintech projects for e-money and financial institutions, challenger banks, infrastructure and payment services providers, and technology companies. The practice supports fintech clients with anti-trust matters, disputes and crisis management work, employment issues and tax advice. Key product areas of focus include digital assets, payment systems and digital payments, corporate restructuring matters and, data, cyber and technology disputes. Julian Cunningham-Day leads the global fintech team, specialising in technology projects in the financial services and other regulated industries. Group co-heads Harry Eddis and Fionnghuala Griggs have expertise in financial markets regulation and fintech-sector based M&A work, respectively. Head of UK fintech, counsel Richard Hay, has considerable experience in new product developments in the context of market infrastructure. Michael Voisin and Lisa Chang (who made partner in 2022) are further key names to note.

Norton Rose Fulbright’s multidisciplinary practice combines the firm’s strengths in the financial services and technology sectors; this allows for collaboration across the banking, insurance, financial services regulatory, IP/IT, corporate, payments, disputes and tax departments. The practice handles the breadth of work in the fintech space including advice on P2P platforms, payment systems, regtech and insurtech issues, artificial intelligence, smart contracts, blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Global head of fintech Sean Murphy advises on investments, acquisitions and joint ventures in the fintech sector. Co-head of payments Victoria Birch focuses on fundraisings, investments and acquisitions as well as the legal and regulatory issues relating to the deployment of blockchain and distributed ledger technology. Hannah Meakin leads the firm’s regulatory fintech offering and is also an expert in cryptocurrencies and tokens. Nicholas Berry completes the leadership team and oversees the insurtech practice. Beyond partner level, counsel Albert Weatherill is another key member of the department. Charlotte Rowlandson departed for Allen & Overy LLP in 2021.

Bird & Bird LLP is recommended for its work in payments, crowdfunding, open banking and blockchain. The practice often handles cross-border corporate, commercial and regulatory matters, including data protection issues. Practice head Trystan Tether focuses on electronic banking and financial services, cryptocurrency and payment mechanism mandates, while co-head Jonathan Emmanuel advises on a variety of technology and commercial projects, often assisting clients with disruptive digital technology adoption. Christian Bartsch is noted for his work on emerging and disruptive technologies, and senior financial services regulatory specialist Gavin Punia deals with the regulation of digital wealth management services, payment services and electronic money products. Senior associate Christina Fleming joined from Charles Russell Speechlys LLP in 2021, offering expertise in blockchain, open banking, payments technology, cryptoassets, cryptocurrency, NFTs and open source software.

Deloitte Legal acquired Kemp Little in 2021, incorporating its fintech practice in the process. The team handles the full gamut of fintech issues, including digital payments and e-money work, open banking, crypto and blockchain issues and insurtech matters. The commercial technology department works closely alongside lawyers from the financial regulation, data protection, IP, corporate and employment legal teams. Practice head Chris Hill specialises in fintech contracting, including software, cloud, data, IP licensing, AI and open banking issues. Jacob Ghanty handles financial regulation matters, while Rich Folsom is recommended for dealing with cryptocurrency issues. The team has been bolstered by the arrival of director Richard Aitchison in June 2021.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP handles AI and data, biometrics, blockchain, crypto-asset, M&A and operational resilience work for fintech clients, financial institutions and investors. The team also advises on issues related to IT platforms and the cloud, data protection matters, payment regulations and disputes. Practice head Matthew Gough specialises in commercial arrangements, including the terms and conditions of supply and purchase, IT and outsourcing agreements, and software licensing work. Craig Rogers focuses on the creation of banking, investment and insurance platforms, cloud computing and cybersecurity issues, as well as, regulatory compliance in technology and outsourcing arrangements. Cardiff-based Eve England and Paul Pugh are further key members of the department.

Fieldfisher’s fintech offering focuses on platform regulation and risk management, receivables finance, corporate fundraising, payments services, open banking and cloud/SaaS solutions as well as financial firm digital transformations. Department lead Simon Briskman has considerable experience acting for banks and other financial institutions on technology and outsourcing issues. John Brunning advises fintechs, banks and other financial services stakeholders on technology related projects; this includes helping banking clients move into the cloud and advising on digital transformation programmes for financial institutions. The trio comprising Tom Ward, Tim Bird and James Walsh are also recommended, with the latter having expertise in cloud-based platforms, payment services and new technology platforms. Thomas Colmer has added to the team’s strength in depth, arriving in October 2021 from PwC LLP.

Osborne Clarke LLP’s full-service team is recognised for its work in the fintech platform, technology, corporate and regulatory spaces. The department advises a variety of clients including fintech unicorns, challenger banks, payment companies, retail and SME finance platforms, financial institutions and technology businesses. Recently, the practice has seen an increase in instructions within the buy now pay later market. Nikki Worden leads the team alongside Mark Wesker, with the latter focusing on corporate fintech work. Paul Anning has expertise in payments, while Mark Taylor advises fintechs on innovative IT development, implementation and exploitation issues, data protection work and outsourcing matters. Rachel Couter supports fintechs in cutting-edge FCA investigations. Paul Harris joined the firm from Linklaters LLP in 2022.

Slaughter and May represents a wide-range of clients across the fintech space, including challenger neobanks as well as insurtech, payment, financial regulation and financial data companies. The team also advises financial services and technology clients on their strategic projects within the fintech market. The firm continues to run the ‘Fast Forward’ incubator programme, which supports the work of technology entrepreneurs and innovators. After the departure of Ben Kingsley in April 2022, Rob Sumroy now co-heads the practice alongside newly promoted partner James Cook, who advises fintech companies on corporate transactions. Jan Putnis handles financial regulatory issues, while associate David Shone acts for fintech start-ups and challengers on a variety of matters.

Addleshaw Goddard provides a full-service offering to its fintech clients. David Anderson and Elvan Hussein are the key contacts. Fiona Ghosh departed for Ernst & Young LLP in 2022.

Bristows LLP has expertise in AI, robotics, distributed ledger technologies and blockchain. The client base ranges from fintechs and challenger banks, investors, SMEs, academic institutions through to banks and large multinationals. Practice head Louise Eldridge undertakes M&A, venture capital investment transactions and joint ventures for clients in the fintech sector. Elridge also has particular expertise in blockchain and DLT, digital transformation, regtech and insurtech mandates. The duo of Toby Crick and Marc Dautlich are also recognised as key members of the team, with the latter focusing on matters at the intersection of technology and data protection issues.

Dentons acts for banks, non-traditional lenders and fintech businesses operating in the UK, advising on high-value payments and electronic money, crypto, digital banking and IT outsourcing transactions. Practice head Jonathan Garforth has expertise in the emerging and fertile regulatory landscapes of open banking, digital payments, crypto and buy now pay later products. Alison Bryce jointly leads the practice from the Glasgow office and has a particular emphasis on software development agreements as well as escrow and hosted service arrangements. Tristan Jonckheer and Sarah Lima both focus on payment services within fintech. Martin Fanning is another important name to note.

Fox Williams LLP is recognised for advising disruptive fintech clients, ranging from start-ups to growth companies. Particular areas of focus for the department include alternative finance, business-to-business and business-to-consumer fintech platforms, digital wealth issues, payments and challenger banks. Practice head Jonathan Segal is well-regarded in the P2P lending space, while Chris Finney is a non-contentious financial services regulatory specialist. Peter Finch joined from Hogan Lovells International LLP in September 2021.

Mayer Brown International LLP deals with issues in the fintech space relating to banking, IP, M&A, consumer finance, outsourcing, cryptocurrency and blockchain mandates, cloud transactions, and payment, cybersecurity and financial services regulation work. The practice advises global financial institutions as well as newer fintech entrants. Mark Prinsley, who is head of the intellectual property and IT group, supports technology-based businesses at all stages of outsourcing transactions. Co-head Chris Chapman focuses on contentious and non-contentious regulatory issues under UK and EU law, and Oliver Yaros is recommended for handling fintech and digital transformation projects.

Paul Hastings LLP operates closely with its colleagues in the US, supporting fintech-based clients in relation to financial services, regulatory, transactional, data protection, IP and technology issues. The team also handles cryptocurrency, payment, distributed ledger technology (DLT) and compliance matters. Arun Srivastava leads the team, while Nina Moffatt is a key name to note.

Taylor Wessing LLP acts for challenger banks, established banks, market disrupters and investors. The practice handles fintech-related investments, M&A, commercial agreements, partnering and joint venture agreements, litigation, regulatory work, competition matters, data protection issues and employment projects. The team is overseen by a senior leadership trio comprising Graham Hann, Angus Miln and Charlotte Hill, with the latter focusing on fintech regulatory issues. Howard Palmer is regarded as another key individual within the team, and senior associate Clare Reynolds advises on the regulatory matters associated with outsourcing and the use of technology in financial services.

Travers Smith LLP draws upon the expertise of practitioners across associated disciplines, including the technology, competition, commercial, finance, insolvency and corporate departments. The practice is fronted by Tim Lewis and provides a ‘one-stop shop’ for its client’s needs in the fintech space, which includes start-ups, fintech giants and large financial institutions. Natalie Lewis advises fintech ‘disruptors’ and other clients looking to introduce new fintech products to the market. Dan Reavill has expertise in the technology and data security aspects of payment systems and services. Phil Bartram, Louisa Chambers and senior consultant Mark Evans are also recommended.

Burges Salmon LLP handles the full spectrum of fintech work, including financial services regulation, blockchain and cryptocurrency issues, cybersecurity work, payments matters, technology transactions and commercial arrangements. Martin Cook leads the Bristol-based practice, advising fintech clients across transactional and regulatory issues. Mark Shepherd focuses on M&A transactions in the sector. Associate Brandon Wong is another key member of the team.

Gowling WLG advises on investments, intellectual property matters, commercial contacts, regulatory issues and platform structuring mandates. The multidisciplinary practice benefits from a dedicated financial services regulatory team, which has expertise in cryptoassets regulation, consumer credit, payment services and the use of AI in financial services. David Brennan co-heads the team alongside Ian Mason, with the latter advising on the regulatory aspects of fintech, including ICOs, cryptocurrencies and blockchain developments. Kristian Rogers is another key team member.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (UK) LLP has expertise in regulatory advice, regulated transactions as well as cryptocurrencies, payments, blockchains and ICO issues. The UK branch works in tandem with its US counterparts, with clients including emerging fintech payment service providers, traditional financial institutions, fintech investors and technology companies developing payment platforms. Jacqui Hatfield jointly leads the practice alongside Chris Grew, with the former focusing on fintech platforms and cutting-edge technologies, including DeFi platforms, in the financial services space. Shawn Atkinson, Jamie Moore and Ylan Steiner are further key team members.

White & Case LLP covers a myriad of fintech issues spanning M&A, technology transactions, financial institution regulatory and advisory matters, data management, privacy and cybersecurity work, IP issues, financings and IPOs. The cross-practice team is instructed by global financial institutions, investors and payment companies. Global head Guy Potel oversees the practice alongside UK lead Jonathan Rogers, who has expertise in payments, regulated projects and fintech-based M&A. Financial crime lawyer Jonah Anderson acts for fintech companies on law enforcement issues and internal investigations, as well as compliance work.

Browne Jacobson LLP handles funding rounds for fintech clients, while also leveraging expertise in relation to insurtech issues and payment services work. Declan Cushley leads the team alongside Jon Snade, who focuses on corporate matters within the fintech space. Beyond partner level, associates David Henderson and Jeniz White are vital team members.

Cooley (UK) LLP handles the full gamut of issues that arise within the fintech sector, with a specific focus on private equity and venture capital investments. The practice, fronted by Stephen Rosen, is also recommend for handling data protection and cybersecurity issues for fintech clients. Other key names within the team include Guadalupe Sampedro, Chris Coulter and Ryan Naftulin.

Mills & Reeve LLP handles technology transactions and data protection issues as well as crypto-exchange, crypto-coin and blockchain matters. Co-heads Jagvinder Singh Kang and Kevin Calder jointly oversee the team, with the latter recommended for providing commercial and IT advice to fintech businesses and organisations.

Squire Patton Boggs acts for financial service companies, established fintechs and emerging fintech start-ups on corporate transactions and regulatory issues. The practice also acts for global banks on complex transactions. Robert Bray leads the team, advising fintech clients on all aspects of corporate work, including private equity and venture capital issues, M&A and joint ventures.

Wiggin LLP advises clients in the fintech space on financings, M&A, joint ventures, the development of new financial services technologies, and IP issues. The practice is also recognised for handling data protection and cybersecurity breaches. Jason Fisher fronts the team, while Calum Smyth is another name to note. David Naylor departed for Squire Patton Boggs in April 2022.