Sitting within the broader regulatory and investigations group, Dentons offers significant breadth and depth of international trade expertise across a wide array of sanctions, export controls, customs, WTO product regulation and national security matters. Team head Roger Matthews' practice ranges from regulatory guidance to investigations and contentious advice. Daniel Lund was promoted to partner in May 2023, having established a strong reputation within both the European and US trade compliance communities, while Kate Poppitt is noted for advising clients across the full cycle of sanctions laws.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘This team has international reach and is able to provide advice that cuts across many jurisdictions. Response time is quick.’

  • ‘Very knowledgeable and easy to talk to.’

  • ‘Able to explain a complex subject in a way that is easy to follow and understand. Written advice is provided in such a way that one is able to understand the impact on your business - not just quoting the law.’
  • ‘Roger Matthews instructed me to conduct investigative services on behalf of his clients last year. He is highly effective, well-organised and on top of the detail. He goes to a lot of trouble to understand the background and anticipate any potential problems or difficulties. He is extremely pleasant to work with.’

Key clients

  • BP
  • Avis
  • Alvarez & Marsal
  • Capita
  • DHL/Deutsche Post
  • Honeywell
  • Edrington
  • ACWA
  • Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority

Work highlights

  • Lead sanctions advisor to BP, advising it on the full range of issues that impact it in relation to the rapid expansion of Russia sanctions.
  • Advised ACWA Power (leading Middle East investor in power generation) on various trade, financial sanctions and regulatory matters relating to its delivery of power-plant goods from Europe through Russia to the Caspian, for construction in Uzbekistan.
  • Advised DHL/Deutsche Post on extensive and complex export control, customs, and sanctions issues arising out of its business throughout 2023.

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Dentons
Roger leads the UK International Trade practice at Dentons, and is a member of the Trade, Regulatory and Government Affairs practice group and the Financial Crime team. Roger advises clients from all sectors on financial and trade sanctions, export controls, WTO law and the UK's web of trade agreements, trade remedies and customs, foreign direct investment restrictions and supply chain analysis. He also advises on financial crime issues, including money laundering, and bribery and corruption. His practice ranges from advisory, strategic, contractual and compliance advice, through engaging with regulators and making license applications, to investigations and contentions advice. He advises on the range of trade and regulatory issues arising out of the UK's post-Brexit trade and regulatory environment, including for clients trading both into and out of the UK. His clients include businesses in manufacturing, financial services, energy, mining, retail, pharmaceuticals and IT services, as well as government bodies. In addition to many years in private practice, Roger has previously served as a national expert on sanctions and certain trade policies at the European Commission, in the HM Treasury sanctions and financial regulatory teams and in the PRA legal team at the Bank of England. Roger is a sanctions expert on the Law Society’s Money Laundering Task Force, and writes regularly on trade, sanctions matters and export control matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Roger Matthews

Other key lawyers

Daniel Lund, Kate Poppitt