Neil Donovan
Neil Donovan

Neil Donovan

Partner

London

+44 20 7859 3238 | +44 7824 370 093
Neil.Donovan@ashurstperkins.com

Introduction

Neil is a partner in our dispute resolution practice.

Neil Donovan advises on the full range of financial crime risks faced by corporates including bribery and corruption, money laundering, tax evasion, fraud, financial sanctions, and market abuse.

Neil has acted on a number of high-profile domestic and cross-border criminal and regulatory investigations and enforcement actions. He also regularly advises Boards and senior executives on compliance issues outside of the enforcement context - including in relation to internal investigations, corporate compliance program, financial crime risks in M&A transactions, and ESG risks in supply chains.

Neil's practice covers all sectors including financial services, energy and infrastructure, technology, telecommunications, private capital, transportation, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and consumer goods.

He has practiced as an investigations lawyer in London, Hong Kong, and New York, and has experience of dealing with prosecutors, regulators, and government authorities all over the world.

Neil's experience includes secondments to global financial institutions and to the Serious Fraud Office where he acted as the Principal Investigative Lawyer on a major, cross-border investigation into alleged bribery and corruption. Neil therefore has the unique experience of investigating suspected corporate criminality from both the prosecutorial and defense sides of the table. At the SFO, he was also involved in policy initiatives and developed a strong network of peers in the white-collar crime community.

Neil has participated in mentorship programs for aspiring and junior lawyers throughout his career and regularly advise clients as part of our global pro bono practice.

  • A UK listed company | Partner | Advising on engagement with the SFO in connection with an investigation into suspected  fraud and bribery.  
  • A global conglomerate | Partner | Advised on money laundering and bribery risks relating to conduct by a key supplier in its downstream supply chain, including a comprehensive due diligence review of the supplier's compliance program.  
  • The administrators of a technology company | Partner | Advised on money laundering, sanctions and financial crime risks relating to the administration of a fintech group.
  • An international financial institution | Partner | Advised on strategic engagement with the SFO and global regulators in a politically significant fraud investigation following the collapse of a major UK bank. 
  • A CEO of a regulated insurance firm | Partner | Advising on a major, multi-jurisdictional bribery and corruption investigation by the UK SFO and US DOJ, including interview preparation, and strategic engagement with global authorities. 
  • A leading global investment bank | Partner | Advising on a high-profile criminal investigation concerning alleged Covid-19 PPE fraud, including engagement with law enforcement agencies, witness interview preparation, and advising on related AML issues.
  • Multiple global corporates and financial institutions | Partner | Advised on designing and implementing compliance programs to address money laundering, bribery, facilitation of tax evasion, sanctions, and fraud.  
  • A national energy company | Partner | Advising on a complex, multi-year investigation into delays in one of the world's largest construction projects, involving large-scale document review, board-level interviews, and strategic advice on governance, litigation risk, and dispute resolution. 
  • A global investment bank | Partner | Advised on deficiencies in the firm's automated trade surveillance system, including strategic advice on regulatory engagement and supporting an extensive remediation program.
  • A listed global defense company | Partner | Advised on a sensitive whistleblower investigation into alleged accounting irregularities, collaborating with auditors and senior management to address integrity concerns, manage reputational risk, and provide strategic market disclosure advice.
  • A global investment bank | Partner | Represented the firm in an FCA enforcement action relating alleged deficiencies in anti-money laundering systems and controls.*

* Experience prior to joining Ashurst Perkins Coie

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