Clifford Chance ramps up regulatory with RJW hire

Clifford Chance ramps up regulatory with RJW hire" />Clifford Chance has ramped up its white-collar crime capabilities with the hire of Russell Jones & Walker (RJW) financial fraud star Judith Seddon.

The move follows the departure of RJW's Manchester fraud head Neill Blundell, who was poached by Eversheds in May (The Lawyer, 6 May).

Clifford Chance head of litigation Nicholas Munday said Seddon would join the firm's regulatory enforcement team.

"We are responding to our corporate clients' expectation that we can assist them with all aspects of a regulatory investigation, including situations in which a regulator uses criminal powers," he told The Lawyer.

Seddon, who has spent 13 years at RJW, six as a partner, will join Clifford Chance in the autumn.

RJW head of business and regulatory investigations Rod Fletcher said: "The huge increase in regulation and potential criminal sanctions for the boardroom are becoming a major concern for UK and international businesses.

"The very fact that Judith has been recruited by the world's largest law firm is testament to the quality of our people in the field of business and regulatory investigations."

Blundell, whose role at Eversheds will see him giving criminal fraud advice, said: "The increasing criminalisation of the boardroom has meant that City firms want that extra string to their bow."

In May, Addleshaw Goddard brought in fraud partner Elizabeth Robertson from boutique Peters & Peters.