Analysis
Leading Firms and Practitioners
With our sister publication Global Investigations Review, we have created a comprehensive guide focusing on the foremost lawyers working in the field of investigations. Their work spans a wide range of issues in white-collar crime, corporate compliance and regulatory enforcement. In addition, we highlight the most prominent forensic accountants and digital forensic experts for their work spanning e-discovery, asset tracing and corporate investigations.
Investigations
Most listings in WWL: Investigations 2023
EMEA
A&L Goodbody
Kenan Furlong is highly experienced in international financial and regulatory investigations and is well acquainted with the Irish, UK and US authorities.
Al Tamimi & Company
Ibtissem Lassoued is a renowned name in the market who receives widespread endorsements for her first-rate work on multi-jurisdictional white-collar crime investigations.
Allen & Overy LLP
Eve Giles is “a very experienced white-collar crime practitioner” who provides accurate and potent advice to her corporate clients.
Bär & Karrer Ltd
Saverio Lembo is renowned for his competence and tact in representing large international clients in complex criminal investigations.
Bonifassi Avocats
Stéphane Bonifassi is a longstanding fixture in the market who is “heavily involved in investigations” and routinely represents companies and individuals in multi-jurisdictional matters.
Boutique Law
Commentors regard Anand Doobay as “the best extradition solicitor in England” and “an international leader in the field of extradition” who possesses “a phenomenal brain”.
Corker Binning
Peter Binning is “very capable of handling large-scale investigations, especially those involving complex facts and large teams of lawyers”.
Dechert LLP
Judith Seddon “possesses extremely sound judgement and a strong grasp of the relevant law”. One source notes, “She always tailors her advice to the strengths and weaknesses of her clients’ positions.”
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
The “top-class” Ali Sallaway is “an impressive practitioner, who is quick on her feet and always has the law at her fingertips”.
| Gianni & Origoni |
Federico Busatta is “an excellent lawyer” who has “the ability to manage complexities and transpose them to the client”.
Gleiss Lutz
Eike Bicker is “a highly experienced lawyer who is excellent at carving out the right angles for successful litigations”.
Kingsley Napley LLP
Louise Hodges is “a great lawyer who never loses the practical perspective and is always determined and stands up for her clients”.
Matrix Chambers
The “simply outstanding” Clare Montgomery KC is “the go-to person if you have a difficult or complex case”.
Navacelle
Stéphane de Navacelle has built an impressive practice in his 15 years in the field, which sees him cover criminal, regulatory and internal investigations.
Schellenberg Wittmer
Benjamin Borsodi is known in the market for his extensive work representing large corporates in criminal investigations, particularly those involving corruption.
North America
Debevoise & Plimpton
With more than 30 years of experience, Mary Jo White is well versed in criminal investigation procedure and skilfully advocates for her clients before state and government bodies.
The “outstanding” Bruce Yannett adroitly handles both internal and governmental investigations involving high-profile international financial institutions.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Mark Schonfeld is “a sophisticated, strategic and extremely knowledgeable SEC enforcement defence lawyer”.
Joseph Warin is “tremendously experienced” in handling both domestic and cross-border regulatory and criminal investigations.
Kaplan Hecker & Fink LLP
Sean Hecker is distinguished by his wealth of experience advising on internal and regulatory investigations.
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel
Barry Berke is “an incredibly charismatic practitioner” with a strong track record in federal and local criminal investigations.
Milbank LLP
George Canellos comes highly recommended for his unparalleled experience in investigations in the financial industry.
Miller & Chevalier Chartered
Mark Rochon is highly regarded by peers and clients for his discretion and thoroughness in conducting internal investigations on behalf of large multinational corporations.
Paul Hastings
Robert Luskin earns acclaim for his outstanding knowledge and experience handling cross-border criminal financial investigations.
Wilmerhale
Kimberly Parker is highly regarded by peers as “absolutely first-rate and the go-to for investigations matters”.
Latin America
Madruga BTW
Antenor Madruga is “extremely sophisticated” and “negotiates good settlements with Brazilian anti-corruption authorities”.
Maeda, Ayres & Sarubbi Advogados
Carlos Ayres is praised as a highly knowledgeable lawyer with exceptional experience in complex cross-border compliance investigations.
TozziniFreire Advogados
Shin Jae Kim is lauded as “an impressive and admirable professional with very extensive experience in investigations”.
Asia-Pacific
Allen & Gledhill LLP
Aaron Lee impresses market commentors with his “professionalism, technical knowledge and ability to explain difficult concepts simply and in layman’s terms”.
DAVINDER SINGH CHAMBERS LLC
Davinder Singh SC is “knowledgeable and technically brilliant” and comes up with “innovative and novel solutions to even the most complex problems”.
Mayer Brown
Alan Linning is “client friendly and highly knowledgeable on SFC enforcement protocol”.
Rajah & Tann Singapore
Hamidul Haq is “the godfather of anti-bribery and corruption in Singapore”.
WongPartnership
Commentators “cannot say enough good things about” Joy Tan, describing her as “extremely responsive, accessible and strategic”.
Digital Forensic Experts
EMEA
AlixPartners
Phil Beckett maintains a sterling practice, with observers noting “he is technical and client driven”.
Alvarez & Marsal
Günter Degitz is a standout figure in the field thanks to over 25 years of experience leading financial institutions and corporations in forensic investigations.
FTI Consulting
Peers and clients commend Craig Earnshaw for his “excellent technical skills and experience” handling complex data matters involving IP theft, fraud and related litigation.
North America
Charles River Associates
Cuyler Robinson ranks highly among peers who consider him a go-to name in the market thanks to his deep expertise in cyber security, data privacy breaches and trade secrets.
Enigma Forensics
The “terrific” Lee Neubecker is highly regarded among peers and clients alike who commend him for his deep expertise in financial investigations, white-collar crime and data breaches.
Asia-Pacific
AlixPartners
Stephen Yu is singled out by respondents as a first-rate digital forensics expert who assists both domestic and international clients in fraud investigations.
Alvarez & Marsal
Davin Teo is a top name for complex digital investigations spanning misconduct, IP theft and data recovery matters.
FTI Consulting
Gino Bello is a standout figure in the market, providing expert testimony in high-value investigations in the financial services, retail and construction sectors.
Forensic Accountants
EMEA
AlixPartners
Veit Buetterlin is a distinguished name in Germany when it comes to financial investigations involving fraud, corruption and money laundering.
Andrew Grantham is lauded for his top-notch forensic accounting experience covering large financial investigations in a range of sectors, including retail, telecoms and energy.
Alvarez & Marsal
Daniel Barton attracts widespread praise from peers and clients for his “extremely responsive, thorough and diligent approach”.
Julian Jones is praised by market sources as being “very skilled at navigating highly complex scenarios and sorting out the facts", while his work is “always extremely well-tailored to the needs of the client”.
Ankura
David Dearman is “a first-class forensic accountant who is well known in the market as being a safe pair of hands”.
Berkeley Research Group
Ben Johnson is renowned for his top-tier practice assisting regulators and private entities across the full spectrum of financial investigations.
Evelyn Partners
David Alexander is a top name, recommended for his vast experience assisting multinational companies and high-net-worth individuals in an array of corporate fraud investigations.
FRP Advisory
Christopher Osborne at FRP Advisory is “an excellent leader” who is held in high regard for “always delivering the agreed scope on time and to a very high standard”.
North America
Ankura
Jason Flemmons has a standout reputation in accounting investigations and provides top-tier assistance to domestic and international clients.
Martin Wilczynski is a highly regarded practitioner with a solid practice advising boards and committees on internal and forensic investigations.
FTI Consulting
Patrick Pericak wins high praise from market sources who say “he is an ideal teammate to have with you in the “trenches” of a fast-paced, high-stakes investigation.”
Asia-Pacific
Ernst & Young
With over 25 years’ experience, Campbell Jackson continues to be a leading figure in the market thanks to his exceptional handling of multi-jurisdictional investigations.
FTI Consulting
Peers and clients say Dawna Wright “shows a strong understanding of the key issues in written reports and presents well in oral evidence”.
KPMG
Owen Hawkes is a highly regarded expert with extensive experience navigating fraud and regulatory investigations.
Kroll
Observers note Jocelyn Chi is “a tenacious and hardworking forensic accountant who is committed to leaving no stone unturned”.
McGrathNicol
Matthew Ashby is praised for his vast experience handling a range of investigations involving fraud, anti-bribery and misconduct.
Research methodology
The 2023 research process saw thousands of practitioners and referees responding to our requests for feedback on the market, resulting in lawyers and expert witnesses from 93 countries being listed, while more than 850 law firms, barristers’ chambers and consulting firms are represented.
This year alone, respondents also provided more than 10,500 individual comments on the practitioners under consideration. This extraordinary response has meant that for the second time, we have been able to publish a selection of the feedback received for each practitioner with a professional biography. This incredible selection of feedback can be viewed on our Market Insight Tool.
Full details on our research process can be found on our FAQ page. If you have any feedback on our research, please email us at editorial@whoswholegal.com.
