Overview

Rebecca Copcutt is a partner in the Investigations and White Collar Defense practice at Paul Hastings and is based in the firm's London office. Ms. Copcutt focuses on criminal enforcement actions and investigations with a particular interest in cross-border cases involving alleged market misconduct, criminal cartel behavior, money laundering, bribery and corruption.

Ms. Copcutt has particular insight into financial crime investigations and enforcement activity brought by the UK authorities, including the Serious Fraud Office and the Financial Conduct Authority. She has experience advising clients on criminal and regulatory enforcement action with a cross-Atlantic dimension, including cases led by the U.S. Department of Justice, the CFTC, the SEC and the OCC.

Ms. Copcutt’s practice has included working on matters managed in New York, Washington, D.C., and Boston. She has also spent time on client secondment at a leading investment bank.

Recognitions

  • Recommended for White Collar Crime, The Legal 500, 2020-2021

Education

  • LLM, Harvard Law School
  • LPC, University of Law
  • LLB, University of Exeter

Representations

  • Representing a film and entertainment company in relation to an internal investigation involving the assessment of potential liability for tax related offences in the UK and USA and advising on remediation steps.
  • Representing a senior bank trader in connection with a worldwide investigation into the manipulation of foreign exchange benchmarks by the Department of Justice, the Serious Fraud Office and other global agencies.
  • Representing an international investment bank in regulatory enforcement proceedings concerning the adequacy of anti-money laundering systems and controls, acting as global coordinating counsel in respect of investigations by the Financial Conduct Authority (UK), the New York Department of Financial Services, the Department of Justice, the New York Federal Reserve (in the U.S.), BaFin (in Germany) and the European Central Bank.
  • Advising a leading UK corporate in relation to an active FCA investigation into potential criminal insider dealing and civil market abuse offences arising out of trading activity alleged to have been taken by its employees ahead of a public trading announcement.
  • Advising a CEO of a publicly-traded company in relation to HMRC criminal enforcement action arising out of alleged money laundering and proceeds of crime offences committed in the UK, Europe, and South America arising out of alleged illegal activity of an organized crime group operating across UK and European networks.
  • Advising the CEO of a publicly-traded company listed on the English and international criminal law issues in respect of certain tax liabilities allegedly incurred in a European country by a group subsidiary company.
  • Acting for a senior executive in the oil industry in relation to a Serious Fraud Office investigation.
  • Advising a leading commercial and retail bank in relation to a regulatory enforcement investigation concerning the bank's capital position and the conduct of its executive directors.
  • Advising corporates and private equity houses on potential money laundering and bribery risks, including reporting to the National Crime Agency and Serious Fraud Office.
  • Advising individuals under investigation by the Financial Conduct Authority, the Department of Justice and other agencies in relation to trading activity.

Engagement & Publications

  • ‘The Looming Risk of Terrorist Financing,’ International Banker, 2019

Practice Areas

Investigations and White Collar Defense
White Collar Defense
Antitrust and Competition
Litigation

Languages

English

Admissions

England and Wales Solicitor

Education

Harvard Law School, LL.M. 2016
University of Law, Moorgate, L.P.C. 2008
University of Exeter Law School, LL.B. 2007

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