Blackfords LLP

Client Satisfaction

Gary Bloxsome and Daniel Cundy jointly oversee the white-collar crime offering at Blackfords LLP, which regularly acts for clients in bribery and corruption, investment fraud, insider trading, and money laundering investigations and proceedings. Bloxsome, ‘a giant of the legal profession’, leads on domestic and international fraud investigations, while the ‘exceptionally bright’ Cundy handles corruption, tax, and proceeds of crime matters. Recently, the group has seen increased activity related to election expenses and political campaign finance issues. Managing partner Trevor Francis has a broad practice that spans electoral fraud and cybercrime, in addition to serious fraud matters. Also in the core team is ‘utterly committed’ in-house barrister Rachel Wilson, who specialises in fraud, money laundering, and misconduct in public office cases; Naureen Shariff, lauded by clients as a ‘superstar’; and Jennifer Richardson, who has a notable focus on mortgage, Ponzi, and carousel frauds.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Massive experience and at the very top for personal service, commitment to justice and fighting for their clients.’
‘Daniel Cundy is the stand-out partner in this firm because he is a brilliant lawyer who clients respect and trust. He acts for clients in complex multijurisdictional fraud cases, financial services regulatory cases and tax cases. He stands out because he is exceptionally bright.’
‘Gary Bloxsome: a giant of the legal profession; great strategic judgement; wonderful to work with; I have recommended him many times. Rachel Wilson: outstanding practitioner; great mind; utterly committed to her cases.’
‘They are a standout firm for individuals facing white collar allegations. The firm consistently produces the most amazing wins for those clients. They are an ambitious firm which punches well, well above its size. They are a forward thinking, modern and highly effective team who delivers a bespoke and excellent service for white collar individuals. They have also got some very good trainees and junior solicitors coming up through the ranks.’
‘Gary Bloxsome: A wiley and thoughtful veteran in this space who is results driven with a great sense of what is best for each individual client and their individual case. Trevor Francis: completely unflappable lawyer with many hard yards of invaluable experience of defending these cases.'
'Jennifer Richardson: the keystone of why this firm gets such great results time and time again. She is an absolute go to for any individual looking for committed and effective representation in white collar crime cases. She doesn't get the public recognition her work deserves. Not sure I could name a more committed and innovative defence solicitor working in this area.’
'Trevor Francis is shrewd, practical, patient and precise. Danny Cundy is very hands on, tactical and good with nervous or difficult clients. He is a real fighter who knows how to play the game. He is always looking for angles and weaknesses in the other side's case.'
'Naureen Shariff: Professional, resilient, good humoured but no push over. She has exceptional client handling skills, is very switched on and savvy. Her work is of the highest quality and she has proven herself time and time again as adept at taking on new areas of law and doing so capably and effectively. Naureen is a superstar.’

Work highlights

Represented a key individual (former General Counsel) from Kazakhstan mining company ENRC, which was the subject of an investigation by the SFO in relation to allegations of corruption of Government officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo and of breaches of EU and US sanctions.
Acting for the main defendant in relation to the retrial of the police prosecution of alleged multimillion-pound money laundering offences involving international gold bullion firm Stunt & Co.
Representing a senior trader from two large and well-known international brokerages who is subject to indictments in relation to Danish Cum-Ex and German Cum-Ex criminal proceedings.

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