The ‘capable and experienced’ team at Norton Rose Fulbright provides ’360 degree knowledge of the sector covering all regulatory and contentious angles’ to a range of financial services clients and fintechs, leveraging the bench strength of its uniquely blended contentious and non-contentious team. The practice is jointly spearheaded by the ‘efficient, sensible and direct’ Jonathan Herbst, Hannah Meakin and Katie Stephen. Herbst boasts extensive experience advising UK and global clients on complex bank structuring, systems and controls, and the implementation of the Senior Managers Regime, drawing on his previous role as Head of European Law at the FSA. Meakin is a specialist in financial services regulation, with a focus on market infrastructure, commodities derivatives, and crypto, advising clients on compliance across trading, clearing, custody, and wholesale conduct. Stephen’s regulatory acumen covers systems and controls, corporate governance, ESG, individual accountability, and regulatory reporting, with particular expertise in skilled person reviews, internal investigations, and the design and implementation of redress and remediation programmes. Matthew Gregory is a key port of call for banks, investment firms, and fintech firms on a broad range of regulatory issues, with particular strength in retail conduct, regulatory capital, and policy development.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Their distinctive strengths and capabilities include deep regulatory expertise across markets, strategic relationships, industry engagement, client-centric communication and thought leadership.'
- 'They have a global regulatory reach and seamless cross-border coordination. A blend of legal, operational, and policy expertise within one team. Strong relationships with regulators and industry bodies, and a commitment to innovation and client education through platforms like Regulation Tomorrow.’
‘Hannah Meakin is a standout partner. She brings deep expertise in market infrastructure, FinTech, and crypto regulation. Hannah has a client-centric approach coupled with strong industry involvement. This keeps her advice both recent and relevant. Her roles on the FCA’s Markets Practitioner Panel and the City of London Regulatory Law Committee give her—and by extension, her clients—early insight into regulatory trends.'
‘The team at NRF is very capable and experienced, and helps clients to navigate complex regulatory challenges. I have been impressed with the client centricity of their advice, and they seem to go the extra mile in covering the detail around issues.’
‘The people at NRF are very client-friendly and seem to be supported by a strong team of associates. I have always found them very collaborative to work with, and are available at short notice and can accommodate challenging deadlines for advice.’
‘I worked with Matthew Gregory and Katie Stephen. I was very impressed by their 360-degree knowledge of the sector, covering all regulatory and contentious angles. They were efficient, sensible, and direct in their instructions and in testing the advice carefully with counsel and with the clients.’
Key clients
- Jain Global
- Aon
- Paypal
- Citi
- Two Sigma
- World Gold Council
- Citadel
- Barclays Private Bank
- CME Group
- Goldman Sachs
- KKR
- BNP Paribas
Work highlights
Advised KKR on its £1.2 billion transaction in relation to the transfer of its minority shareholding in Söderberg & Partners Holding AB (Söderberg).
Advised HSBC on its new seven-year partnership deal with Marks and Spencer and on the transfer of HSBC’s South African business to FirstRand Bank Limited.
Advising the special administrators of a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)-regulated discretionary wealth management firm, WealthTek on the Investment Bank Special Administration.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
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.
Practice head
Jonathan Herbst; Hannah Meakin; Katie Stephen
Other key lawyers
Matthew Gregory