England - London • Risk advisory

Stephenson Harwood

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With a considerable ‘spread of corporate crime experience’, Stephenson Harwood’s practice has specialists in civil fraud and corporate law, as well as expertise representing corporates facing multi-jurisdictional criminal investigations. The team has extensive knowledge of dealing with complex financial disputes, ranging from market manipulation to anti-money laundering matters. Practice head Sean Jeffrey routinely acts on behalf of corporates in white-collar crime proceedings and sanctions issues, Justin McClelland is an expert on civil disputes and cartel activity, while Philip Clarke handles actions brought by the FCA against banks and insurers. The ’intelligent, strategic’ Alan Ward regularly advises corporates on regulatory and criminal-law compliance.   Ellen Gallagher is also noted.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The team led by Justin McClelland has an extraordinary combination of detailed knowledge and the ability to bring a fresh and questioning perspective to every topic. Quite often very experienced lawyers can be a bit casual, or at least appear to be, in their analysis of new situations, having seen so much. Justin  thinks through everything de novo.'

  • 'Alan Ward - intelligent, strategic, hardworking with a great knowledge of the investigatory landscape.’

  • ‘Excellent spread of corporate crime advice and experience.’

  • ‘Justin McClelland is an outstanding investigations defence lawyer, with true international legal experience and expertise. Ellen Gallagher is exceptionally well prepared in front of regulators and tribunals.’

Lawyers

Leading individuals

Justin McClelland

Justin McClelland

Stephenson Harwood

Acknowledged as a leading individual in the areas of both regulatory investigations and corporate crime, the leading legal directories have noted that "Justin McClelland can be a game-changer; he knows the case backwards and has superb instincts". He is described as “knowledgeable, astute and empathetic” and “‘excellent’ at handling multi-jurisdictional investigations,” where his “structured, calm and thorough” approach has proved invaluable in resolving the most challenging matters for clients, whether corporate or individuals. The Directories have noted that “Justin McClelland is the main selling point as he brings considerable experience, expertise and judgement in the field’.” and that “Justin McClelland is the stand-out practitioner. He has considerable cross-over experience, excellent judgement and secures great results.” Justin’s practice is international and covers a number of sectors, including financial services, transport, construction, pharmaceuticals and energy, in the following areas: Regulatory investigations: Leading and managing the defence of corporate clients and individuals in complex, multi-jurisdictional investigations on issues such as market abuse, insider dealing, breaches of the FCA’s Principles and Rules, and cartel behaviour.  The investigative agencies with which he has dealt include, in the UK, the FCA, the PRA, the FRC, the ICAEW, the MHRA, the NCA and the SFO and, overseas, the European Commission, the US DOJ, the NYAG, the US CFTC, the Dubai FSA and the Japanese FSA; Regulatory advice: Managing interactions with regulators in supervisory environments to avoid or minimise the impact of regulatory breaches pre-enforcement. The agencies dealt with have included (in the UK), the FCA, PRA, MCA, ICAEW and MHRA; Corporate investigations: Managing internal investigations involving POCA concerns, employment disputes, internal fraud allegations, export compliance/sanctions issues, bribery issues and data protection issues; High-value litigation: Representing clients in commercial and financial disputes including cross-jurisdictional litigation, multi-party actions, appellate proceedings, and follow-on actions arising from regulatory investigations; Compliance programmes: Providing assistance to clients in developing, implementing and reviewing compliance programmes. Prior to his private practice, Justin served as a lawyer in the British Army, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and prosecuting cases spanning the criminal spectrum at Courts Martial, as well as advising and negotiating internationally and at the highest levels of government. Justin was awarded the MBE in June 1998.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Sean Jeffrey

Other key lawyers

Justin McClelland, Philip Clarke, David Capps, Alan Ward, Ellen Gallagher