Norton Rose Fulbright Launches Global Regulation and Investigations Practice with 600 Lawyers

Norton Rose Fulbright has launched a global regulation and investigations practice to assist businesses around the world in navigating regulatory issues. Regulatory issues were cited by global companies as their number one business challenge in 2013, according to new data from Acritas.

Norton Rose Fulbright’s global regulation and investigations practice, led by Martin Coleman and Lista Cannon, brings together over 600 lawyers from around the world. The firm said the practice connects practice areas across the globe including antitrust and competition, led by Martin Coleman; financial services regulation, led by Jonathan Herbst; investigations (including anti-bribery and corruption, and international trade and sanctions), led by Lista Cannon; and tax, led by Andrius Kontrimas.

As part of the launch, the firm added, its lawyers will engage with businesses globally throughout 2014 to debate key issues in the identification and management of regulatory risk and related enforcement. According to the firm, a program of events, including seminars, client meetings, and internal briefings, will take place in key financial centers across the world in Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States.

Martin Coleman, global co-head of regulation and investigations, commented, “The global financial crisis led to a fundamental readjustment in the relationship between governments and businesses around the world. On the one hand, the crisis legitimized unprecedented levels of intervention. On the other hand, budgetary pressures have led to increased public-private engagement, particularly in areas such as infrastructure and public service delivery.

“The overall impact is that there is simply much greater government interest in business activity and higher risk of intervention. It is therefore crucial for businesses to have a structured and well considered approach.”

Lista Cannon, global co-head of regulation and investigations, said, “For all other than the most domestically-focused investigations, businesses operating internationally must be aware of the multi-jurisdictional nature of regulation and the new reality of cooperation between international regulators. Issues arising in one country may have a significant impact elsewhere.

“In particular, the reach of the United States’ regulators looms large. Potential U.S. regulatory and criminal proceedings, including the risk for senior executives of extradition, together with associated risks of class actions, add to the pervasive concern for businesses, even where the center of gravity of an investigation may not lie in the U.S. In addition, the development of new regulatory frameworks and enhanced enforcement efforts in developing markets, such as in China, lead to significant regional challenges for businesses operating globally.”

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