Harbottle & Lewis enters financial crime

Harbottle & Lewis has announced the launch of a white-collar and corporate crime practice aimed at supporting both corporate clients and individuals. This new service area will be spearheaded by newly appointed partner Steve Smith, who joins the firm from Eversheds Sutherland. His arrival is viewed as a strategic enhancement to the firm’s existing services, enabling broader support in an area of increasing importance in today’s regulatory environment.

Co-managing partner Tony Littner expressed enthusiasm for the new initiative, stating “We are delighted to welcome Steve to Harbottle & Lewis to launch and, over time, grow our white-collar and corporate crime practice. Steve’s arrival enables us to enter into a strategically important business area which complements many other areas of our practice.” He highlighted the firm's commitment to supporting clients through every step of their journey, stating that the addition of this specialism would further enhance their offerings. Littner added that this initiative reflects the firm’s concerted strategy to broaden its expertise in response to the evolving needs of clients.

Steve Smith himself has conveyed his excitement about the opportunity, stating “I am excited to be joining Harbottle & Lewis and establishing its first financial crime practice.” He acknowledged the firm's strong reputation and diverse client base, deeming it an ideal environment for launching his services. Smith has extensive experience in regulatory and criminal issues, having worked with both individuals and corporate clients from compliance to enforcement. His track record includes defending regulatory and criminal investigations while also assisting clients in designing, implementing, and reviewing financial crime compliance frameworks.

Before joining Harbottle & Lewis, Steve spent nearly eight years as a partner at Eversheds Sutherland and has held senior compliance roles with the FCA, Barclays, and Nomura International. His comprehensive experience will be instrumental in providing clients with the necessary guidance in navigating the complexities of financial crime.

This new practice at Harbottle & Lewis is timely and aligns with the increasing scrutiny companies and individuals face in the realm of financial compliance and crime, marking a significant step in the firm’s evolution.