Associate

Findley Penn-Hughes

Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Global Investigations & White Collar Defense, Financial Services Regulatory & Enforcement

"Key lawyer" for Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Crime

Legal 500

Overview

Findley Penn-Hughes, senior associate, is dual-qualified in the US and UK. He advises clients in internal and regulatory investigations and disputes, white collar litigation, and anti-corruption enforcement matters. He has experience advising multinational corporations on the design and implementation of anti-corruption and human rights compliance programs, and sanctions and export control compliance and disputes.

Findley advises corporates across a range of sectors, including engineering and construction, oil and gas, retail, defence, and transport, as well as a variety of financial institutions, insurers, brokers and professional services firms.

Clients turn to Findley for his experience with agencies and regulators across several jurisdictions including the FCA, the NCA, the SFO, the DOJ, the FBI, OFSI, OFAC and a number of multilateral development banks. Findley also has significant in-house experience including in the legal team of a major US bank and, more recently, in the group legal anti-bribery and corruption team of a large multinational company facing enforcement proceedings in multiple jurisdictions.

Findley is also a solicitor-advocate with rights of audience in all the English higher courts.

Experience

Investigations, White Collar Defence & Compliance

Advising the Independent Reviewer of the Connaught Review concerning the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) supervision of the collapsed Connaught Income Fund Series 1, including conduct of the investigation and preparation of the public report.
Supporting the in-house legal function of a publicly traded multinational company in the redesign of compliance controls and various associated internal investigations arising out of DOJ and SEC FCPA investigation involving alleged misconduct in multiple jurisdictions.
Investigation into alleged corrupt practices in the Brazilian and Canadian operations of a European company. Conducted remediation measures, including advising on related litigation, termination of third party contracts, and dismissal of employees, and engagement with internal stakeholders and the client’s key customers.
Supporting an independent integrity compliance consultancy reporting to the African Development Bank (AfDB) in relation to a large Chinese company debarred by the AfDB and other MDBs.

Acting for a European multinational retailer in relation to an anti-bribery and corruption compliance review of its offices in selected jurisdictions
Advising a construction and engineering company on an investigation into suspicious and potentially fraudulent sub-contractor behaviour and in subsequent communications with regulators and customers.
Advising a major European bank on a licence application to the UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation under Russia sanctions.
Delivering strategic merger and acquisition related anti-corruption, integrity and sanctions due diligence reviews for a variety of global issuers and private companies.

Litigation & Arbitration

Acting for a Hong Kong-based property developer in relation to civil proceedings arising out of the fraudulent activities of a UK-based employee.
Acting for Société Générale in the Court of Appeal, successfully reversing a first instance order providing for an inquiry as to damages arising out of the maintenance by Société Générale of freezing injunctions against various Goldas entities. Société Générale v Goldas Kuyumculuk Sanayi Ithalat Ihracat AS [2018] EWCA Civ 1093
Acting for a Turkish solar power company in an LCIA arbitration against a Norwegian multi-national
Defending a +£100m claim against a surveyor in multi-party TCC proceedings regarding a fire at a Grade I listed property in the UK
Acting for a leading multinational food and beverage company in an ICC arbitration relating to breaches of contract affecting outlets across the Middle East
Acting for a luxury yacht manufacturer in relation to several commercial disputes
Acting for a global financial institution in relation to a data breach.

Related Services & Industries

Services

Industries

Publications & Presentations

Recognition

Listed as a key lawyer for Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Crime - Legal 500 2024.

Education

BPP University Law School, GDL and LPC
SOAS, University of London, MA
Durham University, BA

Admissions

England and Wales
California

Courts

Solicitor Advocate with Higher Rights of Audience (Civil)

Professional & Community Involvement

Member of the International Bar Association (IBA), with interests in the Anti-Corruption Committee and the Business Human Rights Committee
Member of the Business and Human Rights Lawyers Association
Member of the Young Fraud Lawyers Association
Member of the Transparency International Professional Supporters network (TIPS)