Lorna Emson > Macfarlanes LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

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.

Acting for financial institutions, private equity companies, and corporate clients in the energy and manufacturing sectors, Macfarlanes LLP fields a strong corporate crime practice with notable emphasis on AML and sanctions issues. Lorna Emson heads up the team and has a notable focus on fraud and financial crime work. New partner Nikolas Ireland is another name to note for fraud issues. Francis Bond takes point on matters concerning overseas confiscation and restraint orders, Interpol Red Notices, and sanctions issues, while Helen Harvey has a focus on HMRC investigations. Former practice head Neill Blundell left the team in March 2024.

With ‘strength in depth across the team’, Macfarlanes LLP‘s 30-strong group acts in heavyweight fraud cases involving freezing orders, discovery applications, and parallel civil and criminal proceedings in numerous jurisdictions. The practice also comprises experts in financial services, trusts, ultra-HNW private client work, general commercial disputes, and corporate crime and investigations, and in addition to increasing its presence in enforcement matters, the firm’s specialisms include fraud-related arbitrations and the obtaining of interim relief from the English courts in support of arbitration. With notable experience in seeking (and challenging) freezing orders and other urgent forms of relief, department head James Popperwell ‘uses his vast experience with a deft touch’; Barry Donnelly‘s fraud practice encompasses multiple, ongoing disputes and investigations; Lorna Emson represents banks, inter-dealer brokers, private individuals, and oil and gas companies. The next line of experienced practitioners comprises Nikolas Ireland, a specialist in high-value fraud cases that typically concern several international jurisdictions, parallel proceedings and multiple parties, and Alex Douty, who is ‘one to watch for the future’.