With ‘real depth of experience across fraud issues’, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner’s litigation department leverages firm-wide specialisms in financial regulatory issues, investigations, white-collar crime cases and tax in relation to multi-jurisdictional civil fraud matters. The practice also houses sector experts in financial services, retail, leisure and sports. The civil fraud practice is co-led by Segun Osuntokun, an expert in matters relating to Africa and developing nations, who is regularly sought out by state governments and entities, energy and natural resources companies, international conglomerates, financial services institutions and HNW individuals, and Rachel Ziegler, who focuses on major disputes involving fraud, dishonesty and breach of trust allegations. Also highly regarded, Andrew Tuson is an investment fraud specialist, while Megan Smith is experienced in urgent injunctive relief, tracing assets, and co-ordinating claims across jurisdictions. Raised to partner in January 2024, Andrew Street acts in cross-border litigation involving freezing injunctions, alleged breaches of fiduciary duty, disputed offshore trust structures, and civil fraud claims that are subject to concurrent criminal investigations.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Strength and depth that allow the firm to deal with all aspects flowing from a variety of sizeable fraud cases impressively, including making effective use of international colleagues to aid worldwide asset recovery work.’

  • ‘The team is made up of big-name partners who have a wealth of experience, supported by talented and hard-working associates. The net result is that clients can be assured of an absolutely top-rate service and work of the highest calibre.’

  • ‘The team has real depth of experience across fraud issues - it has the technical expertise that clients would expect from such a leading law firm, but it additionally draws upon the experience of multi-year litigation disputes involving business relationships that have gone wrong.’

  • ‘The team provides timely and first-class legal advice which, from a client perspective, is crucial. In addition they are helpful when discussing costs.’
  • ‘An all-round powerhouse. Packed with talent. They never fail to deliver results for their clients.’

  • ‘Segun Osuntokun, Andrew Tuson and Rachel Ziegler all provide excellent analyses of issues.’

  • ‘Despite his senior position, Segun Osuntokun remains at the very top of his field. He is an accomplished litigator, fights his client's corner, and leaves no stone unturned. There are few solicitors who are able to remain as cool, calm and collected as Segun, even in the most hostile and pressurised of cases.’

  • ‘Unwavering support from Andrew Street.’

Key clients

  • Legal and General Assurance (Pensions Management)
  • Legal and General Assurance Society
  • Northern Trust Investor Services
  • Reliance Trust Company
  • BGC Partners
  • BANA One
  • Kingstar UK
  • Rosestar Properties
  • Fitch Ratings
  • Fitch Rating
  • Asturion Fondation

Work highlights

  • Acting for L&G in its claims against Glencore, alleging widespread and longstanding dishonesty within the Glencore group and its senior management.
  • Acting for BGC Partners (BGC) in respect of large-scale frauds perpetrated on BGC and its partners by rogue employees.
  • Acted for Barry Ackerman, Naomi Ackerman and BANA One in pursuing and defending numerous claims in relation to the demerger of a property empire (the Ackerman Group), such claims involving fraud and dishonesty allegations.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Segun Osuntokun, Rachel Ziegler

Other key lawyers

Andrew Tuson, Megan Smith, Andrew Street