City law firm Fox Williams LLP has appointed two partners to further strengthen its financial and professional services and regulatory practices. Regulatory, disciplinary and white collar crime partner James Carlton will join from Russell Jones & Walker’s Business Crime and Regulatory Investigations Group and Investment Funds partner Richard Honeybourne joins from Addleshaw Goddard.
The move marks a second heavyweight investment by Fox Williams in its City Regulatory Practice, following its appointment of partner Peter Wright from the FSA in September last year.
James Carlton’s experience in high-profile and complex financial crime, regulation and enforcement and professional disciplinary investigations includes advising in relation to major Corporate Manslaughter and Health and Safety investigations and prosecutions. He also has considerable expertise in the conduct of Public Inquiries and Inquests, which include BSE, Marchioness and the 7/7 London Bombings.
Funds specialist Richard Honeybourne has acted on some of the biggest and most complex headline transactions in the market. He has advised leading investors and managers in the funds and joint ventures sphere, including the UK’s first and third biggest pension funds, the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, and leading household names such as Aviva, Scottish Widows and the executives of Argent Estates.
Fox Williams Senior Partner, Tina Williams, said that the appointments were a response by the firm to the increase in demand from its clients for regulatory and funds work in the aftermath of the financial crisis.
“Even the most well-managed and operated businesses may experience a civil or criminal investigation in the current climate,” she said.
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“Enforcement agencies such as the FSA and SFO are more pro-active in seeking to prosecute senior directors and managers for business failings and we are seeing a tangible rise in demand from our clients for advice in this field.
“In addition, much of the corporate activity taking place against the backdrop of the current economic and regulatory climate involves fund and partnership structures. This makes our appointment a key strategic one for the direction of our business.”
James Carlton said: “I am excited to be joining Fox Williams. It’s a City practice with an outstanding reputation and corporate client base. This, together with its fast growing reputation in Financial Services Regulation, will give me a first-rate platform to grow and develop my practice and the services that I can provide to clients.”
Richard Honeybourne said: “I am delighted to be joining Fox Williams. The opportunity here fits like a glove with the Funds market as it stands at the moment. This is a solid City firm whose reputation speaks for itself and provides the perfect platform for me and my clients.”.
Richard Honeybourne joined the firm’s funds practice on 1 July 2012 and James Carlton will join the firm’s regulatory practice in September 2012.