Roland Ellis > Bivonas Law LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Described as ‘first-rate, intellectual, and humble’ by its clients, Bivonas Law LLP’s dedicated white-collar crime practice stands out for its strong track record handling cross-border investigations. Advice to individuals regarding sanctions issues is another key pillar of the practice. Senior partner Antony Brown has a strong track record acting for individuals in organised crime proceedings and is hailed by clients as ‘top of his league’. As a ‘superb lawyer with a great tactical approach‘, Cindy Dorrington excels across fraud, money laundering, restraint orders, and proceeds of crime proceedings. Stephen Sharp is an seasoned litigator with notable experience in international fraud cases. Brown, Dorrington, and Sharp jointly oversee the practice. Roland Ellis specialises in complex fraud allegations, while Manraj Somal is routinely instructed by high-net-worth individuals facing UK agency investigations.

Combining civil, criminal and regulatory expertise, City of London boutique firm Bivonas Law LLP has ‘unique depth of experience in civil fraud that spans jurisdictions and case matters’. The practice acts for African states, international banks (and bankers) and HNW Russian individuals in disputes involving international asset tracing, and freezing and search orders. John Bechelet is a longstanding specialist in civil fraud and regulatory litigation; Antony Brown manages the firm’s most complex cases; and Roland Ellis defends individuals and companies that face allegations of misconduct. The next line of key practitioners includes Manraj Somal, whose ‘involvement in cases is invaluable’.

With strength in procurement fraud, government-facing work, and shipping sector instructions, Bivonas Law LLP’s regulatory and corporate crime group is described by clients as ‘highly professional, caring and responsive to all client needs‘. Senior partner Antony Brown, Steve Sharp, and the ‘outstanding‘ Cindy Dorrington jointly lead the team; Brown has a strong track record advising governments and banks, and Sharp takes point on criminal and regulatory investigations before the SFO, FCA, and NCA, while Dorrington is the name to note for contentious financial services work. The core team also includes Roland Ellis, a ‘towering figure in the regulatory regime‘.

The ‘highly experienced and agile’ team at City-based boutique Bivonas Law LLP provides ‘practically oriented and bespoke advice’ to individuals facing regulatory scrutiny in relation to fraud and market abuse infractions, among others. The firm is noted for its flexibility and ability to pivot between disciplines, ensuring that clients are able to receive a one-stop-shop service on both civil and criminal matters. Leveraging ‘tremendous analytical and strategic acumen’, managing partner Cindy Dorrington is adept at dealing with FCA investigations, including in relation to insider dealing, and is noted for her ability to ‘help clients to avoid difficulties at an early stage’. Roland Ellis is a ‘very versatile’ litigator, who handles both FCA investigations as well as broader commercial litigation within the industry.