Kelwin Nicholls > Clifford Chance LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

The ‘knowledgeable, energetic and ambitious’ banking litigation team at Clifford Chance LLP remains at the forefront of high-profile banking disputes in both the UK and global markets. It boasts specialist knowledge of complex financial products and contentious regulatory expertise, working in tandem with the corporate crime and financial regulatory teams to provide financial institutions with a full-service offering. Ian Moulding heads the banking litigation practice and is praised by clients as a ‘great strategist and team leader’, and Helen Carty leads the London litigation and dispute resolution team. Global head of litigation and dispute resolution Matthew Newick represents a diverse roster of financial sector clients in cross-border disputes and investigations. Kelwin Nicholls is a key contact for major banks and Christopher Yates and Lindsay Bickerton are also names to note. An expert in fintech disputes, Kate Scott’s clientele includes payment firms and crypto exchanges, as well as banks and financial services firms. Michael Gorrie is a go-to representative for investment banks, while Jason Epstein focuses his practice on group litigation, including shareholder claims. Guy Burkitt is an active member of the team.

The ‘gold-plated team’ at Clifford Chance LLP has an ‘excellent understanding of the contentious regulatory landscape in the UK’ and is regularly engaged by high-profile financial services clients on many of their most complex and sophisticated regulatory investigations and enforcements. The ‘experienced and unflappable’ Carlos Conceicao leads from the front. He brings a level of gravitas and skill that elicits favourable results for many leading international banks and asset management firms in big-ticket market manipulation cases, inter alia. ‘Outstanding’ solicitor-advocate Dorian Drew excels at handling both high-profile enforcement actions, often involving co-ordination among multiple international regulators, and financial services litigation. Oliver Pegden ‘has come up through the ranks’ at the firm and has gained particularly strong traction among bulge bracket banks, which are appreciative of his ‘forensic approach’ to dealing with enforcement actions, internal investigations and related litigation. Kelwin Nicholls is also a key member of the team, as is Samantha Ward, who has a focus on matters with a competition angle.

Clifford Chance LLP remains at the forefront of corporate defence work, particularly in the class action space. A go-to practice for aviation sector disputes in particular, the team also specialises in disputes stemming from share purchase agreements and joint ventures across a number of industries. Jeremy Kosky leads the firm’s commercial litigation group, handling disputes spanning multiple jurisdictions, including offshore, while Helen Carty – who heads the London litigation team – specialises in financial disputes. ‘Utterly brilliant’ litigator Julian Acratopulo boasts particular expertise in the aviation sector. Focusing on contentious M&A matters, ‘seasoned litigator and excellent tactician’ Maxine Mossman often plays a leading role in group litigation. Chris Yates is a go-to figure for securities litigation under s90/90A FSMA, while Kelwin Nicholls handles fraud and shareholder claims. Matthew Scully is regularly called upon for post-M&A and shareholder disputes, while Claire Freeman boasts an active cross-border litigation practice. James Cranston is another name to note.