Katie Stephen > Norton Rose Fulbright > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Norton Rose Fulbright, hailed by one client as a ‘superb, world-class firm with outstanding ability at all levels’, is especially well-regarded for its sanctions, market abuse, AML, authorisation and permission, ESG, financial promotion, fraud and whistleblowing capabilities. Katie Stephen is also regarded as a market leader for s166 reviews, money laundering issues, retail mis-selling work, consumer credit matters and market disclosure affairs, having garnered experience before the FCA, Ofgem, PRA, FRC and AIM, among many other regulators. Elsewhere, David Harris, who co-heads the team alongside Stephen, has a distinguished level of proficiency in cross-border investigations and has overseen a number of parallel investigations which intersect the DoJ and SEC in the US.

Norton Rose Fulbright leverages its international network to act on a range of complex domestic and global regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings, representing individuals involved in major SFO investigations and cross-border enforcement actions. The firm combines its multijurisdictional reach with notable criminal defence capabilities – a number of senior team members able to represent clients throughout the criminal process, from initial notifications and interviews under caution through to trial. Areas of strength for the firm include fraud, market abuse, and corruption allegations, with involvement in standout LIBOR and EURIBOR investigations. The practice is led by specialist regulatory and corporate crime practitioner Neil O’May, who has notable expertise in DPAs and a successful record in domestic and international defence proceedings on behalf of high-profile individuals, alongside Pamela Reddy, who is regularly involved in high-profile financial crime and regulatory cases. Katie Stephen also offers in-house FCA expertise to clients facing market abuse and money laundering allegations.

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s team ‘combine a high degree of legal expertise, litigation strategy and good commercial judgement‘. Its lawyers handle high value claims, with a focus on the financial services and insurance sectors. The London team is able to draw on substantial support from the wider firm’s vast global network, which spans Europe, the US, Asia, Australia, Canada, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. Katie Stephen, ‘undoubtedly one of the best financial service practitioners in the City‘ and Michelle George, with over thirty years’ experience, regularly handle high value and complex commercial cases. Mike George is seen as ‘a real rising star for the future.’

Norton Rose Fulbright fields a multi-disciplinary pensions disputes and investigations group, bringing together pensions lawyers with colleagues from the litigation, financial restructuring, insolvency and consulting departments. The team focuses on representing trustee and employer clients, in cases regarding the running of a scheme, documentation, and internal and ombudsman complaints. Patrick Bourke takes the lead, also coordinating the wider EMEA practice. Lesley Browning has recent experience in negotiations with trade unions and investigations initiated by the pensions regulator, while Katie Stephen is the name to note for financial services contentious regulatory matters, often acting in pensions-related matters.

Norton Rose Fulbright leverages ‘deep knowledge of fintech, digital assets and blockchain technology’, among other areas. The practice is equipped to act across both the wholesale and retail financial services sectors, honing its focus on governance, conduct and market affairs. Jonathan Herbst is renowned for his knowledge of bank structuring, commodity derivatives, custody and relevant M&A considerations, while Hannah Meakin is a go-to for fintech, commodities derivatives and market infrastructure mandates; the pair co-lead the team alongside Katie Stephen who fronts the complementary contentious practice. Imogen Garner leads the buy-side offering, catering to asset and wealth managers, custodians and depository banks, while, at counsel level, Matthew Gregory serves as a policy development specialist, having previously been seconded to HM Treasury. Albert Weatherill garners praise as an ‘expert in the crypto space‘.