Brian Spiro > Herbert Smith Freehills LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
EXCHANGE HOUSE
PRIMROSE STREET
LONDON
EC2A 2EG
England

Living Wage

Work Department

Corporate Crime and Investigations

Position

Partner

Career

Based in London, Brian specialises in complex national and international investigations, compliance and regulatory matters and high loss business crime litigation. With over 30 years’ experience, he has acted in most of the UK’s major business crime cases as well as overseas matters throughout Europe, the USA, Africa, Asia and before the ICC. He is also noted for his work in advising media organisations on crime and related matters and his representation of high profile individuals.

Amongst other such work, Brian was a member of the Law Society’s committee and chair of the London Criminal Court Solicitors’ Association committee responding to the UK government’s proposals on fraud law reform and has acted as an international consultant to the WHO, the UN and the British Council on criminal law matters

Brian is a former Chair of the Business Crime Committee of the International Bar Association and is a regular writer, lecturer and commentator on corporate crime and related issues.

Lawyer Rankings

London > Crime, fraud and licensing > Fraud: white-collar crime (advice to individuals)

(Leading individuals)

Brian SpiroHerbert Smith Freehills LLP

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP’s ‘industrious and efficient’ practice covers prosecution and advisory work for high-net-worth individuals, directors, and executives, drawing upon its global network of offices to expertly handle multi-jurisdictional investigations. The team shows particular strength in complex criminal tax proceedings, regularly defending clients in proceedings brought by the FCA and HMRC. ‘Top expertSusannah Cogman leads the group, where she demonstrates her considerable expertise in sanctions issues and anti-money laundering enforcement measures. Brian Spiro is noted for his capabilities in offshore tax fraud investigations and financial crime matters, while Robert Hunt focuses on prosecutions involving fraud, bribery and corruption. Kate Meakin‘s expertise is concentrated in corporate crime issues. Daniel Hudson left the practice in April 2023.

London > Risk advisory > Regulatory investigations and corporate crime (advice to corporates)

(Leading individuals)

Brian SpiroHerbert Smith Freehills LLP

Demonstrating strong cross-border capabilities, the Herbert Smith Freehills LLP practice is ‘superb’ at advising on all aspects of corporate crime, including fraud, money laundering and bribery, for financial institutions and global companies. The team shows significant strength in the advisory sphere- particularly regarding sanctions and AML issues- and has significant experience defending clients in high-profile SFO, HMRC, and FCA investigations. Susannah Cogman is ‘one of the best in the area’, leading the group with her extensive expertise in anti-money laundering and financial crime matters, while the ‘world class’ Brian Spiro routinely acts for corporates on tax and corruption cases. Robert Hunt is an expert on compliance issues, and Kate Meakin handles fraud and sanctions affairs. Elizabeth Head and Jessica Chappatte  are also recommended. Daniel Hudson left the firm in April 2023 for Seladore Legal .