Acting on both national and international mandates across all key areas of financial crime, Macfarlanes LLP fields a team with ‘strength, depth and a pragmatic approach’. Lorna Emson heads the practice, advising banks, interdealer brokers and oil & gas companies on fraud and financial crime matters involving both criminal and civil elements. Nikolas Ireland is a fraud specialist, while Francis Bond is particularly experienced in transnational crime, assisting clients with AML, overseas confiscation and restraint orders, as well as Interpol Red Notices. Brian Spiro, described as ’famously unflappable and steady under fire’, joined the team from Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP in November 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Really excellent team, with the advantage of being part of a top-class international law firm. The core client base of corporates from other sectors of the firm.’
‘Helen Harvey is a really excellent solicitor, thoughtful, compassionate and passionate. Excellent judgment and attention to detail. Lorna Emson is a first-class lawyer, technical knowledge of the law.’
‘Brian Spiro is one of the most experienced and respected white collar defence specialists in London. He is famously unflappable and steady under fire. His cool judgment and great experience across multi-jurisdictional enquiries are much admired by his peers and clients alike. He is at home with individuals and board members as he is in advising the corporate client via GC or board committee.’
‘Francis Bond is an asset to the firm. He is all-around excellent and his work product and understanding of his areas are beyond his PQE.'
‘Strength, depth and a pragmatic approach.’
‘Francis Bond is a partner in waiting; his knowledge of this highly technical area of law is unparalleled, and he is always incredibly pragmatic, down to earth and approachable in his advice.’
Key clients
- Revolution Beauty
- OWH SE i.L.
Work highlights
Acted for Revolution following its auditor, BDO, identifying a number of concerns, including accounting irregularities, during the audit of Revolution’s FY22 accounts.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
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
Lorna Emson
Other key lawyers
Francis Bond; Helen Harvey; Brian Spiro; Nikolas Ireland