Corporate Criminal Liability

Jo Rickards is the Head of the White Collar Crime & Investigations Group. Recognised as an expert in white-collar crime handling cases involving corruption, cartels, fraud and contentious financial services, she has advised directors, boards and companies in the UK and internationally for over 20 years. She represents both corporates and individuals embroiled in corruption, fraud and money laundering in multiple jurisdictions, including those being investigated by the SFO, FCA, CMA and HMRC.

Jo’s numerous high profile cases include: the representation of former News of the World Editor Andy Coulson in respect of phone hacking allegations at the Old Bailey; Silvio Berlusconi in mutual legal assistance proceedings in respect of allegations of corruption involving David Mills; and representing the Ahsani family in the multifaceted SFO investigations into their company Unaoil. Jo has been involved in all the major SFO investigations since the Office was created, from Guinness and Maxwell to Innospec and DePuy. She also has extensive experience of insider dealing prosecutions and market abuse investigations, successfully navigating clients through internal investigations arising from the last financial crisis involving LIBOR and Forex.

Jo has been recognised by The Legal 500 UK 2019 as Individual of the Year for Crime, Fraud and Licensing, as well as being recognised in the 2019 edition of The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom for her work in Criminal Practice and Fraud, the 2018 edition of Who’s Who Legal: Business Crime, and in GIR’s 2018 special on Women in Investigations, recognising 100 outstanding female lawyers in the field. She also won the White Collar Crime European Women in Business Law award in 2014, and has been ranked twice in The Lawyer’s Hot 100, in 2003 and 2013. Jo is recognised as a Global Elite Thought Leader for EMEA in both the Corporate and Individual Defence listings and the White Collar Crime team was awarded The Legal 500 UK 2020 Firm (Specialism) of the year for Crime, Fraud and Licensing.

Jo is ranked in Band 1 for Financial Crime: Individuals and Band 2 for Financial Crime: Corporates by Chambers Guide UK 2019, and is recognised as a Leading Individual in both Risk Advisory and Fraud: White Collar Crime in the Legal 500 UK 2019 guide. According to clients, she is “the best there is; professional, dedicated and always willing to go the extra mile with pin-sharp advice and support”.

Shona graduated from the University College Dublin with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Spanish. She has a background in medical, insurance and financial administration. In her spare time, Shona loves to travel and enjoys planning trips all around the world.