Interview with: Julien Martinet, Partner

Julien MARTINET, founding partner, explains how SWIFT LITIGATION is making its mark on the French legal landscape. He describes how, with his team of experienced lawyers, he is handling banking, financial and, more generally, commercial legal issues. He also outlines how the firm is well positioned to navigate the evolving landscape of litigation, which is increasingly shaped by new risks, and how it is poised to reach new heights in the years ahead, while maintaining its close-knit environment, autonomy and unwavering dedication to offering clients a range of tailored services.

 

What do you see as the main points that differentiate SWIFT LITIGATION from your competitors?

With twenty years’ experience in litigation in major French and Anglo-Saxon law firms, our team of lawyers offers unparalleled expertise in banking and finance and a high-quality of service.

To resolve complex, high-stakes disputes, SWIFT LITIGATION follows a rigorous, scientific and methodical approach. Keen to maintain a close relationship with the academic world and to always understand its clients’ business and expectations, the firm is constantly on the lookout for innovative, tailor-made solutions. The aim is to align the speed required by the business world with frequent legislative and regulatory changes.

I believe that awareness of emerging risks and keeping up to date with legal developments is a good basis for anticipating potential conflicts. This enables our lawyers to be at the forefront of resolving cutting-edge issues, such as fraud, due diligence, asset freezing, embargoes and blocking laws, regulatory and criminal sanctions, ESG standards, ethics, new forms of shareholder activism and cybercrime.

 

Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?

The team at SWIFT LITIGATION has a comprehensive understanding of current and future litigation and emerging risks. We respond swiftly to the rapid developments of today’s globalised world. We are particularly strong in the following areas of expertise:

I. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) litigation

In light of the pressing urgency of climate change, there is an increasing imperative to integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into business decision-making. These issues are having an impact on companies around the world as the legal and regulatory landscape evolves, as shareholder activism and individual initiatives gain ground, and as stakeholders’ expectations rise.

With these emerging issues come increased legal risks and compliance measures. We help our clients adapt to new requirements in confidence and in line with these obligations.

II. Cybercrime and AI

The rise of remote working with employees using their personal equipment without IT protection systems, has subjected many companies to increasingly protean cyberattacks. It is rather alarming to note that in 2024, the number of cyberattacks has risen by 400 % in four years.

Moreover, through our practice, we have seen a rapid growth in the number of investment scams, with victims often believing they are investing in alternative or innovative products with high returns. Phishing represents the main threat to both businesses and individuals. Fake bank advisor scams have seen a 78 % increase in the past year. Ransomware attacks also reached new records last year, after a slight lull in 2022.

In recent years, of course, we saw the emergence of generative AI seized by cybercriminals to perfect their scams and develop their techniques with deep fake technology. Also, what sounded like a distant and unlikely future is now a reality: the use of AI in every conceivable area, whether professional or personal.

As the regulatory edifice is just starting to be build, with the EU AI Act laying the first brick, SWIFT LITIGATION is at the forefront of technological developments and is building a strong expertise in AI and its related issues. The company is committed to ongoing improvement in order to provide its clients with the most effective means of defence and the most pertinent advice possible.

III. Regulatory pressure

Regulatory pressure is increasingly prevalent, particularly in the areas mentioned above (cybercrime and fraud). Regulatory authorities are seeking to expand their influence into areas that do not traditionally fall within their remit. This is leading to the requirement for banks to implement more sophisticated procedures, which can lead to relatively complex litigation.

 

What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?

The creation of SWIFT LITIGATION in 2022 was driven by the desire to strengthen our independence, allowing the team to devote its full attention to our clients without any conflict of interest and to provide them with an accessible, intelligible and efficient range of services, fully adapted to their needs. This will continue to be our motto in the years to come.

 

Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?

We are exploring ways to expand our services to our clients through the use of technology. However, we are clear that security, confidentiality and data protection remain our top priorities.

 

Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?

SWIFT LITIGATION is committed to providing its clients with regular training sessions that aim to enhance their awareness of emerging risks and new issues. These sessions seek to equip clients with the knowledge and tools to anticipate the handling of these issues, with the ultimate goal of limiting any potential financial risks.

 

Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms – where do you see the firm in three years’ time?

Yes, I think that companies faced with increasing regulatory complexity, external threats and potentially severe sanctions need both reassurance and strategic vision. It is our daily job to ensure that we deliver a response that meets these expectations.

Now, whatever changes SWIFT LITIGATION will undergo over the next three years, its values will remain constant. I would like to mention three of them (which I refer to as our ‘triptych’): our commitment to providing services that are tailored, precise and adapted to the specific needs of our clients, our attachment to innovation and to developing our skills in emerging areas, and our autonomy.