A&O Shearman‘s ’deep expertise in dealing with financial institutions‘ marks the team as an advisor of choice for household names in the sector, and regularly handles highly sensitive and complex regulatory and internal investigations mandates. The department leverages the strength of the firm’s global investigations practice across continental Europe, the US and Asia, and is noted for its ’thoughtful approach to blending the best legal knowledge into effective teams‘. Calum Burnett heads up the London-based litigation and investigations offering, while Arnondo Chakrabarti oversees the UK-wide litigation group. Sarah Hitchins brings ’deep expertise‘ to her defence of clients in FCA investigations into alleged criminal and civil deficiencies in their financial crime controls. Mahmood Lone is well versed in conducting internal investigations, while Eve Giles’ specialism is in conducting financial crime investigations, including those in relation to money laundering, insider dealing and market abuse. Brandon O’Neil, who is also admitted in New York, is particularly noted for his extensive knowledge of US authority-led investigations.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Go-to firm for financial services advice. Always provides clear, well thought through advice and analysis.’
‘Calum Burnett - commercial and approachable. I trust his judgment and value his counsel.’
‘Deep expertise in dealing with financial institutions, including the private investment fund industry.’
‘Sarah Hitchins for sensitive investigations for financial institutions clients. Deep expertise in how the industry works, but also a depth of experience in the regulator's expectations in how such issues need to be dealt with and disposed of. She is calm and collected, seems unflappable and inspires confidence.’
‘Strengths in dealing with financial institutions.’
‘Sarah Hitchins and Calum Burnett are experienced heavyweights in this field.’
‘A&O have a thoughtful approach to blending the best legal knowledge into effective teams. They seem to address challenges from the client's perspective, rather than shoe-horning matters to fit their organisation design.’
‘Calum Burnett is a stand-out partner who has years of experience and is a delight to work alongside. Eve Giles and Mahmood Lone add strength.’

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Calum Burnett

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