3 Verulam Buildings silk Farhaz Khan KC took an unusual route into law. He had been set to pursue a career in academia. A PhD in 20th century literature, specifically the work of DH Lawrence, beckoned. But working alongside Toynbee Hall, a crucial centre to support impoverished families in East London, opened Khan’s eyes to what he could accomplish in the legal profession.
His time at Outer Temple Chambers as a fresh-faced junior gave him exposure to employment, trade unions and pensions work as well as more general commercial and chancery advice. The 2008 financial crisis opened him up to commercial regulatory, white-collar crime and banking advice, and it was this work that ultimately led him to his current set.
Khan counts a handful of the world’s most recognised banks as clients, including the likes of JP Morgan, UBS and RBS, though his year has been characterised by a string of cases around non-financial misconduct. Work advising on the implications of Russian sanctions has also formed a key theme of his 2022 and much of this year is set to contain similar elements.