Drawing upon a ‘strong contentious regulatory experience’, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner provides ’calm, considered and professional’ advice to global financial institutions, investment exchanges, and corporates under investigation by the FCA and PRA, with noted expertise in complex capital markets trading investigations, internal investigations and consumer regulatory enforcement. Praised as ‘the go-to lawyer for regulated firms in difficulties’, practice head Polly James is noted for her capabilities in cross-border investigations for international banks, financial institutions, and senior management, with extensive experience handling internal investigations, whistleblower complaints, and regulatory interactions. David Rundle represents individuals and firms in regulatory enforcement and criminal investigations, advising on cases involving market manipulation, insider dealing, money laundering, systems and controls failures, and senior management under SMCR, as well as cross-border SFO investigations beyond financial services. ’Powerhouse’ Marc Thorley boasts extensive experience in litigation, investigations, and regulatory matters, representing a wide range of clients, including banks and buy-side firms. Oran Gelb is a seasoned litigator and investigations lawyer who handles complex, cross-border litigation and investigations, representing institutions and individuals across the wholesale financial markets, technology, and telecom sectors.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘I found the team were practical yet empathetic - they knew this mattered to me and worked hard to find the best way to get the answer I sought, particularly when we had to engage with the other party - they made sure I was appropriately prepared and provided great support in meetings - very calm, considered and professional.’
‘Polly James is hugely impressive. Polly has a fabulous corporate client base and a superb reputation in this space. She is the go-to lawyer for regulated firms in difficulties.'
- 'Joanna Munro is a very promising up-and-coming associate.’
‘Strong contentious regulatory experience; approachable, communicative and responsive team.’
‘David Rundle is a pleasure to work with. He is responsive, handles sensitive situations well and is great with clients.’
‘Oran Gelb has represented me now over a number of years, and I am always impressed with the preparation before each meeting and also with the way he has taken the time to understand as much as possible in what is a very specialist field. He has been a pleasure to work with and gives me confidence when going into what can often be a somewhat hostile meeting.’
‘Strong team emerging as a credible contender to established players to take top-tier work.’
‘Marc Thorley is a powerhouse in retail financial services contentious work.’
'David Rundle - great knowledge of the industry, extremely commercial and responsive, and good experience of senior individuals.'
'Incredible strength in contentious regulatory work, specialising in advising regulated corporates. They have a phenomenal and well-deserved reputation in this space, including in the conduct of internal investigations within the regulated sector.'
Lawyers
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.
Joseph Ninan
Practice head
Polly James
Other key lawyers
David Rundle; Marc Thorley; Oran Gelb; Joseph Ninan; Joanna Munro