Hogan Lovells US LLP

Finanacial Services

Partner

As a partner in our financial services team, Michael Thomas has spent his career advising all types of financial institutions on a wide range of matters. The core of Michael's practice is the provision of financial services regulatory advice. Michael advises firms on how financial services regulation will apply to them from their initial set-up, to their ongoing business, and in relation to key events such as corporate transactions or outsourcing arrangements.

Michael has in-depth knowledge and experience in the complex field of market infrastructure, advising trading venues, clearing houses, and data repositories, together with the firms accessing their services. This includes advising on the launch of two European clearing houses. Michael's team came second at the Lawyer Awards 2015 in the category of Corporate Team of the Year, for their work in the launch of LME Clear, the new clearing house for The London Metal Exchange. Michael advises exchanges and financial market infrastructure operators from around the world from around the world, including the United Kingdom and Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa.

Michael has advised a wide range of financial institutions, including banks, investment firms and financial market infrastructure on major regulatory projects, including those driven by regulatory changes such as MiFID II, Benchmarks Regulation, the Senior Managers and Certification Regime and Brexit. This includes contingency planning, restructuring, and repapering projects.

In addition to advising financial institutions, Michael also advises governmental bodies, including UK bodies and also the governing body and regulator of the new Astana International Financial Center, in Kazakhstan, on the development of its legal and regulatory regime

Michael actively advises both established and new financial institutions on FinTech matters, including notably, Globacap of the first issuance of a UK company's shares on a blockchain ledger and the development of a platform for the security token issuance.

Michael has a particular focus on governance and systems and controls issues, and can help firms to determine how to ensure that they structure their governance arrangements in a manner that the regulators consider to be prudent.

In addition to regulatory advice, Michael advises financial institutions on commercial transactions, such as major outsourcing arrangements and distribution deals. Michael was a key member of the team awarded 'Outsourcing Advisor of the Year', for advising on most of the key outsourcings in the asset management, insurance and life, and pensions sectors, at the National Outsourcing Association Awards 2011.

Michael also advises on the regulatory aspects of corporate and finance transactions involving financial institutions or financial services regulatory matters.

To 1997: Brynteg Comprehensive School, Bridgend, South Wales 1997 – 2000: BA, Law – Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge 2000 – 2001 – Legal Practice Course, Nottingham Law School