A go-to firm for high-profile, complex and often cross-border matters, the ‘stellar’ team at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP represents well-known financial institutions in enforcement, outsourcing, operational resilience, consumer duty, accountability reviews and market disclosures. The group’s established client roster includes high-profile banks, investment banks, asset managers, and institutions in insurance and broking. Credited for his ’practical orientation and a measured approach’, practice head Hywel Jenkins is a key port of call for financial institutions on all aspects of FCA and PRA engagement, with a strong track record in steering firms through complex enforcement, skilled person reviews, and internal investigations. Jenkins is particularly noted for his expertise in consumer redress, and FOS matters, as well as governance issues tied to the Senior Managers Regime. Leading the global financial services practice, Jenny Stainsby excels in representing multinational institutions facing complex regulatory investigations and enforcement action. She regularly advises on skilled persons’ reviews, conduct issues, and the senior managers regime across EMEA, the US and APAC. Chris Ninan supports major banks on high-profile contentious regulatory matters, including FCA and PRA enforcement, internal investigations, and FOS interactions. Jon Ford leverages in-house investment bank regulatory experience to advise on enforcement, litigation, and investigations, notably handling cross-border FX probes and significant debt capital market disputes with regulators, including the FCA, DOJ, and SEC. Other names to note include Susannah Cogman, Karen Anderson, Tim Parkes, and Andrew Procter.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘HSF has a stellar FS disputes team, and we couldn't be happier with them as a firm. They have incredible market knowledge and comprehensive expertise and are our absolute go-to for high-stakes FS disputes and regulatory investigations. Their advice is always spot-on and incredibly insightful. The team is not only highly professional and dependable, but also a true delight to work with. Their knowledge bulletins, updates, and podcasts are consistently timely and enlightening.’
‘Jon Ford possesses extensive knowledge of regulatory expectations for FS firms, delivering commercial and pragmatic legal advice that is both detailed and easy to understand.'
‘Extensive experience, market knowledge and practical nous.’
‘Hywel Jenkins has deep experience, a practical orientation and a measured approach that is valued by clients.’
'A highly respected and experienced team with expertise in regulatory investigations and skilled person reviews and financial crime, strength in depth at all levels, and a strong culture of service delivery excellence together with sophisticated commercial cost management.'
'Susannah Cogman is a highly experienced financial crime expert. Jenny Stainsby has tremendous experience in complex regulatory matters and Jon Ford's invaluable experience based on his in-house career adds a very valuable factor in ensuring the shape and direction of travel are always in line with expectations.'
Key clients
- Ardonagh Group Limited
- Baillie Gifford
- Binance
- Clearbank Limited
- Goldman Sachs International
- National Australia Bank (NAB)
- N Brown Group / J.D. Williams & Company Limited
- Pool Re
- PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc
- Standard Chartered Bank
- Tandem Money Limited
Work highlights
Advising TSB in relation to an Enforcement investigation by the FCA into the bank's collections and recoveries function.
Advised a global firm in relation to an investigation regarding a historical audit conducted by the client and an alleged failure to report suspicions of fraud to the FCA as required by a specific statutory obligation.
Advising a large institution in respect of a s.166 Skilled Person's Review, providing both strategic advice and practical operational support for the wide-ranging review into the firm's anti-money laundering systems and controls.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
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Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Hywel Jenkins; Jenny Stainsby
Other key lawyers
Chris Ninan; Jon Ford; Susannah Cogman; Karen Anderson; Tim Parkes; Andrew Proctor; Jack Moore