Partner; Richard is Head of our Disputes and Investigations Group. Areas of particular expertise include corporate crime and sanctions investigations, group/class action litigation (competition, mass tort and securities claims), and banking litigation and investigations. With over 25 years of experience of a wide range of complex and substantial disputes and investigations, Richard has represented clients in high-value, multi-jurisdictional, proceedings and significant global regulatory and criminal investigations. Richard spent three years working in our Hong Kong office advising on a range of commercial disputes throughout the South East Asia region. He is admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales and as a Solicitor of the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
England - London • Risk advisory
Slaughter and May
Showcasing vast expertise in cross-border financial regulatory and corporate crime investigations, Slaughter and May’s practice is viewed as ‘gold standard’ by one client, acting on behalf of clients within the finance, natural resources, and healthcare spheres. The team routinely deals with domestic regulators- such as the SFO and FCA- as well as demonstrating robust international capabilities supporting global corporations in complex multi-jurisdictional investigations conducted by the US DOJ and SEC. Team head Richard Swallow is an expert on regulatory and criminal proceedings while the ’superb’ Jonathan Cotton regularly deals with allegations of wrongdoing and corruption. Jonathan Clark advises on fraud and tax evasion matters, while Ewan Brown and Holly Ware are noted for their regulatory and criminal work. Gayathri Kamalanathan is knowledgeable on litigation and arbitration proceedings, with Tim Blanchard advising on bribery and corruption affairs. Senior counsels Ella Williams and Nicholas Querée are also noted.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Slaughter and May continues to represent the gold standard in this sector. The strength in depth - and breadth - is exceptional. They are the perfect firm to manage corporate investigations and navigate through complex corporate crime issues, with all that entails. There is simply no better firm.’
‘Jonny Cotton and Richard Swallow are industry leaders. They are unsurpassed in their judgement, skill and knowledge. They are able to recruit and retain the brightest talent; Ella Williams and Nick Queree far outrank many partners in other firms for their forensic instinct and analytical abilities.’
‘This is probably the best law firm in the world and to maintain its position it has to have the best lawyers in the world. The team is outstandingly able and has brilliance at all levels. This team have achieved astonishing results for clients and this is solely the result of their rare talents and intellectual ability.’
‘Richard Swallow is an outstanding leader and strategist. He has vast experience in this sector and is probably the best adviser you can get.'
- 'Johnny Cotton is superb and has a brilliant sense of how a case is likely to play out.'
- 'Holly Ware is a meticulous lawyer with a wonderful eye for detail. Razor-sharp with an eye for detail, Holly is someone you’d want as part of your team.
- Jonathan Clark is tenacious and charming; a real asset. Ewan Brown is outstanding. Very clear in his advice. He has a calm but persuasive and insightful manner. Richard Smith - clear, hard working, highly regarded.’
‘S&M are a go to firm for large corporates for investigations and DPAs. Their reputation is well earned, delivering great results.’
Key clients
- Danske Bank
- Glencore plc
- British American Tobacco plc
- John Wood Group PLC
- Rolls-Royce plc
Work highlights
- Acted as coordinating counsel in relation to Danske Bank’s $2billion settlement with US and Danish authorities' multi-jurisdictional investigation, concluding investigations into failings and misconduct related to the non-resident portfolio at Danske bank’s former Estonia branch.
- Acting for Glencore in its $1.5billion resolution of global bribery and corruption allegations.
- Defending British American Tobacco plc against the SFO’s long running investigation of suspicions of corruption by BAT, its subsidiaries and associated persons.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
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Rising stars
Leading individuals
Partner; Jonny is Co-Head of our Global Investigations Group. For over 25 years he has helped many clients investigate and defend allegations of wrongdoing in civil, criminal and regulatory cases across sectors from telecoms to fast-moving consumer goods to financial services. On the criminal/regulatory side, Jonny regularly acts on investigations, criminal prosecutions and regulatory cases concerning the Bribery Act, the Proceeds of Crime Act, the Fraud Act, FSMA, export controls and sanctions, as well as Companies Act offences. On the civil side, Jonny advises on fraud cases involving extractive frauds, accounting frauds, misrepresentations, the ‘theft’ of confidential information by employees and competitors and conspiracy. Jonny is also often involved in contractual disputes, competition disputes and restructuring/insolvency matters. He also often advises on contentious aspects of corporate transactions, including takeovers.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Richard Swallow