Ed Crosse > Simmons & Simmons > Bristol, England > Lawyer Profile

With ‘unparalleled expertise in fraud cases’,  Simmons & Simmons‘ London team handles some of the market’s highest profile fraud cases, which frequently involve large sums and multi-jurisdictional issues. Representing both major corporations and HNW individuals, the practice is well known for combining expertise in complex financial fraud with specialisms in cross-border asset tracing and the international enforcement of judgments. It further leverages the firm’s enviable credentials in competition, market abuse, bribery and white-collar crime cases. The civil fraud group is co-led by UK litigation team head Patrick Boylan, an expert in interim relief, tracing remedies, and the interplay between civil and criminal law, and London and Bristol-based Ed Crosse, who ‘combines excellent knowledge of the law with a real understanding of the commercial drivers of cases’. The practice further includes Adam Brown, who acts for banking, private equity and hedge fund clients in cross-border fraud cases; Chloe Morris, whose specialisms encompass civil fraud, directors’ liability, and shareholder class actions; and Jon Malik, who acts for multinational clients from the finance, asset management, TMT, professional services, defence and extractive sectors.

Simmons & Simmons‘ ‘impressive team’ is consistently sought out to act in commercial arbitration proceedings in the TMT, financial institutions, energy, construction and infrastructure sectors. The London office also fields experts in arbitral award-related annulment and enforcement proceedings. The firm’s UK international arbitration group is headed up by the ‘superb’ Stuart Dutson. Jayne Bentham is a specialist in arbitrations concerning technology and telecoms companies and Ed Crosse is ‘a star litigator’. Emily Monastiriotis acts in heavyweight construction disputes. The practice further includes Basil Woodd-Walker, who ‘demonstrates superb knowledge of different arbitral institutions’, and Jonathan Schuman, who acts in high-value international arbitrations.

Contractual, boardroom and joint venture disputes are key areas of expertise for the ‘sharp and responsive’ commercial disputes team at Simmons & Simmons. It is often called upon to advise on disputes with cross-border elements, representing a diverse roster of international clients. Patrick Boylan leads, boasting a broad commercial disputes practice that ranges from contentious competition matters to civil fraud claims. Ed Crosse is praised as a ‘client-focused and a highly experienced litigator’ and advises on litigation proceedings spanning various jurisdictions. Minesh Tanna is a go-to representative for TMT clients in litigation, arbitration and investigations, while Adam Brown handles contractual, JV, shareholder and post-M&A disputes. Eleanore Di Claudio specialises in contractual disputes and class actions and William Dunning focuses on the energy and TMT sectors.

Cross-border disputes and investigations constitute a core part of Simmons & Simmons’ specialised financial markets disputes practice. Its ‘comprehensive expertise’ also spans emerging issues in the market, such as ESG and digital assets disputes. Practice head Caroline Hunter-Yeats is an ‘excellent strategic thinker’, bringing her expertise in bet-the-bank and private banking disputes to the team. Robert Turner heads the firm’s asset management and investment funds practice and contentious asset management team. Robert Allen represents high-street, private, and global banks in disputes from breach of confidence claims to PPI and Quincecare litigation. Alexander Thavenot specialises in contentious insolvency matters, as well as asset recovery and enforcement, and ‘star partner’ Adam Brown is active in civil fraud and market misconduct claims and derivatives and commodities litigation. Ed Crosse focuses his practice on corruption and civil fraud, while Elizabeth Davison boasts an active contentious risk advisory practice. Richard Bunce has now retired.