Following the merger of Allen & Overy LLP with Shearman & Sterling LLP in May 2024, A&O Shearman has solidified its position as a market-leading financial services advisory and regulatory practice, housing a team of ‘seasoned professionals with extensive experience’ across the full gamut of mandates. Counting global banks, asset managers, market infrastructure providers and other financial institutions among his key roster of clients, Bob Penn jointly leads the team alongside Barney Reynolds, who maintains a strong track record advising on mandates concerning UK and EU regulation. Ben Regnard-Weinrabe has ’unrivalled knowledge’ of fintech, payments, cryptoassets, retail banking and consumer finance, and Damian Carolan is an expert in derivatives and securities regulation, while Kate Sumpter advises on regulatory-driven structural change projects for international banks. Other key contacts in the group include ‘exceptional’ Nick Bradbury, who is noted for his expertise in digital and cryptoassets regulation, Thomas Donegan, fintech regulatory specialist Nikki Johnstone and Nadia Pascal.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Nick Bradbury is solutions-oriented and highly commercial in his approach. Client engagement and responsiveness is exceptional.'
- 'Greg Talbot is very practical and client focused.’
‘A strong team to help navigate through complex and novel legal issues. Very impressive.’
‘In-depth knowledge of regulation, agile thinking and taking into account commercial considerations.’
‘Ben Regnard-Weinrabe has in-depth and unrivalled knowledge of financial services regulation. A calming and patient demeanor even in the most stressful and pressing situations.'
- 'Kate Sumpter and Rory Copeland, deservedly, command the respect of UK banks and payment providers alike in the authority and quiet efficiency they bring to the regulatory analysis of the most complex technical issues.'
- 'The deep technical skill of the team in UK payments regulation makes them a stand-out. Their subject matter expertise and market standing make them an obvious choice to provide the regulatory insight to test new industry thinking.’
‘The A&O team comprises seasoned professionals with extensive experience in their respective fields. They are diligent in their reply and can source relevant expertise on a given topic or a challenge. They are transparent and put professionalism at the centre of their business conduct.’
Key clients
- UK Finance
- SwapAgent Ltd.
- Tradeweb Europe Ltd.
- Virgin Atlantic Airways Group
- A global US headquartered bank
- Refinitiv
- Blackstone
- CPPIB
- Woodbridge
- Nomura International Plc
Work highlights
- Advised a bank syndicate comprising BNP Paribas, HSBC and RBC Capital Markets on the European Investment Bank’s inaugural issuance of sterling-denominated digital bonds, also marking the first public issuance on HSBC Orion, HSBC’s tokenisation platform.
- Advising Société Générale on its business combination with AllianceBernstein, concerning their equity brokerage and equity research businesses.
- Representing Mubadala Investment Company PJSC in its acquisition, together with members of Fortress management, of SoftBank Group Corp’s 90.01% equity interest in Fortress Investment Group LLC.
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.
Barney Reynolds
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Damian Carolan
Ben Regnard-Weinrabe
Kate Sumpter
Thomas Donegan
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Nick Bradbury
Nikki Johnstone
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Nadia Pascal
Practice head
Barney Reynolds; Bob Penn
Other key lawyers
Ben Regnard-Weinrabe; Damian Carolan; Kate Sumpter; Nick Bradbury; Thomas Donegan; Nikki Johnstone; Nadia Pascal; Rory Copeland; Greg Talbot