Francesca is widely recognised as an asset on the highest-level corporate crime investigations and other matters where crisis management is vitally important.
Her track record includes in-depth experience of many of the largest and most notable multinational cases. Having worked for many years for an international law firm, she is adept at handling all aspects of the most complex, multifaceted investigations.
Francesca’s workload has included many of the most significant Serious Fraud Office investigations, including some of the biggest bribery, cross-border and carbon credit tax fraud cases. Francesca advised a senior executive in the SFO’s Petrofac bribery investigation. She acted for a former bank trader who was charged regarding market manipulation of the EURIBOR interest rate benchmark and assisted in the defence of traders investigated and prosecuted by the SFO over alleged manipulation of the LIBOR interest rate.
Her ability to identify and navigate the best route in a criminal investigation has led to her being the first choice of many high net worth individuals, senior business figures and professionals in cases where reputations are at stake.
Francesca was involved in the UK’s biggest phone hacking and related investigations - Operations Weeting, Elveden and Tuleta – and has represented clients in high-profile extradition proceedings.
Francesca has particular expertise in the area of proceeds of crime (money laundering) and frequently advises on a range of issues including the making of suspicious activity reports (SARs) and law enforcement applications that seek to freeze or seize assets, including Account Freezing Orders, Restraint Orders, and other applications made under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).
With her acknowledged achievements in fraud and other financial crime, she is also sought by corporates for advice and representation on compliance matters; including responding to whistleblower complaints and conducting internal investigations and risk assessments.
Her work on top-level investigations has included acting for those investigated by the Competition and Markets Authority over suspected anti-competitive practices. She also represented the former CEO of an international telecommunications company in a Financial Conduct Authority investigation into market abuse and suspected breaches of the Financial Services Act 2012.
Francesca is former chair and current Educational Secretary of the Young Fraud Lawyers Association.
