Skip to main content

Katharine is a member of the Litigation Practice in Greenberg Traurig's London office. Her practice combines financial services litigation (claimant and defendant) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) / Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) advisory (including enforcement, supervisory and investigations work). Katharine has particular experience advising senior individuals in their distressed dealings with regulators, including advising where FCA / PRA regulation meets employment law issues.

Concentrations

  • FCA and PRA supervision and enforcement
  • Financial services disputes
  • Senior managers and certification regime (SM&CR)
  • Civil fraud and investigations
  • Whistleblowing
  • Compliance

Capabilities

Experience

  • Representing Tradition Financial Services in defending a claim for dishonest assistance brought against various financial institutions following VAT carousel fraud in the trading of EUAs (carbon credits) in 2009. The trial is listed for 2021.
  • Defended Tradition (UK) Limited, in a team move case and a case involving competitor confidential information. An application by Tradition to secure disclosure of a copy of a settlement agreement entered into between the Claimants and a co-Defendant resulted in a widely reported judgment of the Court of Appeal on the application of litigation privilege and without prejudice privilege in the context of settlement agreements ([2019] EWCA Civ 1937).°
  • Represented American Express in connection with alleged technical defects in a default notice served pursuant s.87(1) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
  • Defended joint FCA/SFO proceedings on behalf of a senior board member of an international bank regarding matters dating back to the financial crisis and advising in connection with connected High Court claim.°
  • Defended senior board member of a major UK bank in connection with a joint FCA/PRA investigation regarding the bank’s collapse in 2008. °
  • Advised SMF holder at a private bank in relation to an FCA investigation into alleged misconduct.°
  • Advised senior FX trader in relation to concurrent internal, FCA, Fed, DOJ and ACCC investigations.
  • Advised Compliance Officer in respect of FSA Insider Dealing investigation.°
  • Advised desk head in connection with an internal investigation into trading practices of his team and associated compliance issues. °
  • Advised multiple traders at a number of international banks in relation to benchmark rigging investigations, including preparation for and attendance at interviews.°
  • Advised UK based trader in relation to an investigation by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) regarding allegations of wash trading, including preparation for interview and advising on regulatory consequences in the UK.°
  • Advised firms in relation to change of control issues, including changes made without prior regulatory approval and consequences of late notification.°
  • Advised firms in relation to a range of regulatory notification requirements and potential risks and liabilities arising (issues including risks associated with shareholder activism, market abuse and other potential regulatory breaches).°
  • Advised in respect of s.393 (third party rights) issues.°
  • Advised individuals in relation to non-routine applications for regulatory approval, bad leaver notifications, regulatory reference issues and other notification requirements.°
  • Provided regulatory advice to regulated individuals in the course of internal disciplinary proceedings and employment tribunal proceedings, including in relation to alleged regulatory and/or internal policy breaches, confidentiality issues and whistleblowing.
  • Advised in relation to claims to the FSCS / FOS and defending FOS complaints on behalf of firms.°
  • Advising investors in respect of > £1m IFA investment fraud, including working closely with the Police, Insolvency Service and Appointed Liquidator.°
  • Advising in respect of s.138D claims for breach of statutory duty.°
  • Advising in respect of IRHP claims (claimant).°
  • Advising international credit provider in respect of multiple debtor actions and defence of s.75 CCA claims.°
  • Advising Appointed Representative in a dispute with its Principal regarding scope of permissions.°

°The above representations were handled by Katharine prior to her joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.

  • Silver Circle U.K. firm 2010 - 2020
    • Managing Associate
    • Associate

Recognition & Leadership

  • Listed, The Legal 500 United Kingdom, 2022-2024
    • Banking Litigation: Investment and Retail, 2023-2024
    • Financial Services: Contentious, 2023-2024
    • Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Crime, 2022
  • Member, Financial Services Lawyers Association
  • Member, Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers
  • Member, Female Fraud Forum
  • Member, London Solicitor Litigation Association
  • Member, Fraud Lawyers Association

Credentials

Education
  • B.A., Hons History, York University
  • Graduate Diploma in Law, City University London
  • Legal Practice Course, BPP Law School, London
Admissions
  • England and Wales