David Pudge > Clifford Chance LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Clifford Chance LLP acts for top domestic and international banks and corporations on the full gamut of corporate governance issues, including ESG, regulatory, compliance, risk management, strategic boardroom issues and climate change matters. The team is jointly led by David Pudge and Luke Tolaini, with Pudge handling transaction-related issues and board-level matters, and Tolaini recommended for corporate crises and investigations, with a focus on the extractive, tech, pharmaceutical and finance sectors. Steven Fox is experienced in advising boards and general counsel on compliance and governance matters, while Richard Crosby advises on directors duties’, shareholder activism, AGMs and disclosures. Rae Lindsay is another key practitioner, who focuses on disputes, ESG and issues relating to human rights and Alanna Hunter, who was promoted to partner in May 2022, is another name for corporate governance, market abuse regulation and listing rule disclosures.

The ‘unquestionably knowledgeable, experienced and technically capable’ corporate team at Clifford Chance LLP regularly acts on takeovers, acquisitions and divestments for FTSE 350 and Fortune 500 clients including leading global corporates, financial investors and banks. With an extensive international footprint and a diverse spread of clients across a range of industries including healthcare, media, telecoms, oil and gas and banking, the London team is jointly headed by Nigel Wellings and Melissa Fogarty, who regularly advises clients in sectors such as consumer goods and financial services. Dealmaker, ‘excellent relationship manager’ and ‘proactive communicator’ Katherine Moir is a key lawyer in the team, advising on complex and cross-border M&A while also offering the full range of corporate transactional and advisory support. David Pudge continues to act for a range of clients on M&A, corporate governance issues, stock exchange matters and public takeovers, while Steven Fox offers corporate finance expertise across public and private M&A, capital raisings and IPOs.  Co-head of the healthcare and life sciences team Gareth Camp assists international corporate clients with restructurings, public bids and disposals. Focusing on real assets and regulated industries and advising on demergers, investments, joint ventures and acquisitions is Nick Spurrell, while  James Bole offers takeover code expertise following a secondment to the Takeover Panel. Meanwhile, recent arrival from White & Case LLP, Dominic Ross, brings significant experience  advising corporates and financial institutions in matters relating to the healthcare, defence, consumer goods and retail industries.  Former partner Tim Lewis has left the firm and is now executive vice chair of the Arsenal board. Guy Norman has relocated to Saudi Arabia with the firm.

Clifford Chance LLP’s retail team benefits from the firm’s broader commercial and competition capabilities, advising clients on M&A, antitrust investigations, and risk management matters. Practice head David Pudge specialises in domestic and cross-border M&A, public takeovers, and corporate governance matters, acting for well-known retailers and investors into the sector. Robert Crothers advises UK-listed and international clients on equity issues and joint ventures, while Greg Olsen helms non-contentious competition work.

Displaying a ‘range of experience and skills’, the corporate governance practice at Clifford Chance LLP acts on behalf of global FTSE companies and financial institutions on compliance, regulatory, and risk management investigation matters. The team is regularly involved in high-profile cross-border proceedings, with particular expertise advising on corporate compliance measures associated with securities laws and ESG risks, along with human rights infringements and whistleblowing incidents. David Pudge and Luke Tolaini head the group, with the former assisting clients with corporate governance and regulatory issues, whilst the latter handles financial crime and cyber breaches. Steven Fox has 30 years’ experience of advising boards and shareholders, and Richard Crosby focuses on corporate restructurings. Rae Lindsay and Roger Lease are experts on ESG-related matters, and Ellen Lake concentrates on white-collar crime proceedings.