Phil Smith > Simons Muirhead Burton > London, England > Lawyer Profile

The crime and regulatory practice at Simons Muirhead Burton offers clients particular expertise in media matters and frequently advises household media celebrities, as well as assisting clients on criminal issues such as sexual assault, perverting the course of justice, and harassment, with a wealth of experience advising well-known musicians. Phil Smith heads the team, with skills described as ‘first-rate‘. Anthony Burton CBE, founding partner of the criminal department, is recommended for representing individuals on death row by virtue of his work as chair of the Death Penalty Project NGO, with his case-handling described as ‘exceptional‘. Senior associate Henrietta Ronson is described as a ‘standout individual‘, with ‘unparalleled domain expertise‘ in media-related criminal matters.

Acting for clients across technology, finance, and property industries, Simons Muirhead Burton’s team ‘remains a market leader’ in the white-collar crime space, advising on complex fraud and money laundering matters. The practice is especially renowned for its work concerning financial crime allegations, regularly defending individuals in HMRC-led investigations and addressing UK sanctions. Practice head Phil Smith routinely guides clients through high-profile fraud and corruption cases, while Anthony Burton focuses on domestic and international financial crime issues. Henrietta Ronson and David Phillips are also highly regarded.