Lewis Silkin strengthens financial services offering with specialist hire
12 April 2021
Lewis Silkin LLP today announces the hire of Wendy Saunders – a financial services, markets law and regulation expert – as a Legal Director. Her addition to the team further bolsters the firm’s financial services offering, as well as provides additional expertise for the technology & communications sector.
Wendy works with businesses operating in the financial services sector, notably banks and fintechs, as well as providers to the sector on a range of advisory and contentious matters. This entails advising on commercial and technology contracts, including in relation to outsourcing, operational resilience and payment services, providing transactional regulatory advice on corporate matters, and assisting with regulatory investigations on culture, governance and the Senior Managers and Certification Regime. She also has experience on matters concerning ring-fencing, client money queries and MiFID II, where she has advised on investor protection and inducements.
In addition to her legal work, Wendy is currently on the steering committee of Global Blockchain Convergence and is a leading authority on cryptoassets and the use of blockchain technology within financial services.
She joins Lewis Silkin from Herbert Smith Freehills, having held previous roles with the FSA, Memery Crystal, Lloyds Banking Group and Macquarie Group, providing her with a breadth of experiences and perspectives.
Timothy Leeson, Partner at Lewis Silkin, commented:
“With financial services continuing to be the beating heart of the UK economy, expanding our services for clients operating in the sector remains a priority. We’re determined to build on the strength of our existing team and offer an ever-widening array of services to our clients. Wendy’s appointment brings significant regulatory expertise to the table and we warmly welcome her to the team.”
Michael Anderson, Partner at Lewis Silkin, said:
“Securing the talent that will allow our practice to keep growing is vital. Wendy’s deep and varied expertise, particularly on regulatory issues, strongly complements our existing offering. We are delighted to secure her recruitment in such a competitive market.”
The appointment is the seventh senior hire made by Lewis Silkin in 2021 and further enhances the firm’s Financial Services and Tech teams.