UK Corporate Compliance Expert Peter Burrell to Join Willkie as a Partner in London

Firm significantly expands international Compliance and Enforcement Practice

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has announced that UK solicitor Peter Burrell will join the firm as a partner in London. Mr. Burrell, the head of Herbert Smith’s Investigations and Corporate Crimes Practice, is recognized internationally as a leading authority on anti-corruption and white collar criminal matters. His broad experience and expertise in this area will greatly enhance Willkie’s ability to assist clients in complying with the new UK Bribery Act. The Act, which completely overhauls UK anti-corruption law, exposes companies doing business in the UK and abroad to criminal liability and potentially severe penalties if they fail to comply with its stringent provisions.

Mr. Burrell specializes in complex and contentious regulatory matters, including conducting and managing internal investigations, either commenced as a result of an internal discovery or in response to an external investigation by the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO), HM Revenue & Customs, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, or the Financial Services Authority. He also advises clients on controls and procedures regarding money laundering and financial crime prevention, and on criminal liability issues, with a particular focus on anti-corruption policies and procedures. Mr. Burrell is regularly sought to manage and conduct criminal investigations and proceedings, as well as acting for clients in associated civil litigation. He has handled some of the most noteworthy SFO prosecutions, including acting for Severn Trent Plc and Mabey & Johnson in the SFO’s first prosecution of a company for overseas corruption and the first use of the Attorney General’s Plea Bargaining Guidelines.

Tom Cerabino, co-chair of Willkie Farr & Gallagher, said “We are delighted to have a solicitor with Peter’s credentials and reputation join us in London. Recruiting Peter is one further step in the development and expansion of our European network, and we look forward to working with Peter to expand our highly regarded practice in the compliance and enforcement area.”

Martin Weinstein, who chairs the firm’s Compliance and Enforcement Practice stated: “The UK Bribery Act is expected to have a significant impact on global anti-corruption compliance by multinational companies. Willkie already has one of the preeminent U.S.-based anti-corruption practices. With the addition of Peter in London, we will have market-leading expertise on both sides of the Atlantic. We look forward to working with Peter to provide the very best team to service our multinational clients’ needs.”

Willkie’s Compliance and Enforcement Practice, recognized globally as among the very best in the field, includes a number of former U.S. Department of Justice prosecutors and two former SEC Assistant Directors. Willkie’s significant FCPA experience, successes and overall knowledge base place it among a select few international firms that will be prepared to assist clients with the increasingly complex risks and challenges associated with international anti-corruption compliance and enforcement. Mr. Burrell is expected to join the firm as soon as he is free to do so under his existing arrangements with Herbert Smith.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is an international law firm of approximately 630 attorneys with offices in New York, Washington, Paris, London, Milan, Rome, Frankfurt and Brussels. The firm is headquartered in New York City at 787 Seventh Avenue. Tel: 212.728.8000.

Contact:

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Antoinette C. McGovern, 212-728-8404
Email: amcgovern@willkie.com