Laurence Winston is a partner and co-head of Crowell & Moring’s International Dispute Resolution Group in the firm’s London office. His practice focuses on acting for blue chip clients, banks, asset-based lenders and other financial institutions in a broad range of cross border and domestic commercial litigation and arbitration matters with a particular focus on world-wide and U.K. fraud investigations, and asset recovery actions. He has in-depth experience of obtaining freezing injunctions, search and seizure orders, and additional forms of relief on behalf of his clients.
In addition, Laurence focuses on complex banking and investment disputes and claims on guarantees and indemnities and breach of warranty claims. He also focuses on data/cyber security and acted in one of the highest profile cases in the world to date.
He lectures and presents for Finance U.K., credit conferences, and other business conferences on fraud and asset recovery. He also appeared on CNBC Europe as an authority on fraud.
Prior to joining the firm, Laurence was a partner and head of U.K. litigation in the London office of an international firm.
Representative Matters
- Advised on a U.S. $1 billion breach of warranty claim in the LCIA arising out of a corporate acquisition in the Ukraine.
- Acted in one of the highest profile data breach cases in the world to date involving an investigation by the ICO into alleged serious data breaches and the opposition of a search warrant.
- Advised on a U.S. $850 million breach of contract and fraud claim.
- Acted for global financier in a landmark invoice discounting civil fraud case that resulted in a £16 million judgment following a 10 week trial.
- Acted as the independent solicitor in a search and seizure injunction in the Ferrari/McLaren “Spygate” case.
- Acted in a U.S. $50 million derivatives scheme dispute involving a leading investment bank.
- Acted for Premiership footballer in a breach of privacy claim in relation to a telephone hacking matter.
- Acted for a global energy supplier in an anti-trespass injunction and possession order to evict protesters from a power station.
Affiliations
Admitted to practice: England and Wales
Speeches & Presentations
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"The ICO Bares its (Sharp) Teeth: What You Need to Know About GDPR One Year On," Crowell & Moring, London
(October 17, 2019).
Moderator: Jeffrey L. Poston; Panelists: Ambassador Robert Holleyman, Maarten Stassen, and Laurence Winston.
Publications
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"COVID-19 Considerations For UK Asset-Based Lenders," Law360
(March 30, 2020).
Authors: Robert Weekes, Andrew J. Knight, Laurence Winston, Cathryn Williams, Paul Muscutt, and Nicola Phillips.
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"A Tangled Web: How the Internet of Things and AI Expose Companies to Increased Tort, Privacy, and Cybersecurity Litigation," Crowell & Moring's Litigation Forecast 2020
(January 22, 2020).
Contributors: Jeffrey L. Poston, Cheryl A. Falvey, Evan D. Wolff, Paul M. Rosen, Jennifer S. Romano, Kristin J. Madigan, Gabriel M. Ramsey, and Laurence Winston.
Client Alerts & Newsletters
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"Morrisons Supermarket Not Liable for Employee’s Data Breach,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(April 1, 2020).
Contacts: John Laird, Maarten Stassen, Robert Weekes, Laurence Winston, Nicola Phillips
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"An English Law Perspective on COVID-19 and Contractual Disruption,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(March 18, 2020).
Contacts: John Laird, Robert Weekes, Laurence Winston, Nicola Phillips
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"Coronavirus – Issues for Asset-Based Lenders,"
(March 16, 2020).
Contacts: Robert Weekes, Cathryn Williams, Paul Muscutt, Andrew J. Knight, Laurence Winston, Nicola Phillips
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"English Court of Appeal Finds Legal Advice Must Be Dominant Purpose to Obtain the Privilege,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(February 5, 2020).
Contacts: John Laird, Ian A. Laird, Laurence Winston
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"Some Useful Clarity on the Legal Status of Cryptocurrencies in the United Kingdom,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(December 4, 2019).
Contacts: Laurence Winston, Michelle Ann Gitlitz
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"A New Dawn in International Enforcement of Mediation Agreements: The Singapore Convention,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(August 12, 2019).
Contacts: John Laird, Laurence Winston
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"Recent EU Money Laundering Scandals Lead EU to Call for Stricter Implementation of the Anti-Money Laundering Rules by Member States,"
White Collar Alert
(August 8, 2019).
Contacts: Carlton Greene, Danielle Giffuni, Michelle J. Linderman, Laurence Winston
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"U.K. Serious Fraud Office Issues Guidance on Corporate Cooperation,"
White Collar Alert
(August 8, 2019).
Contacts: Michelle J. Linderman, Robert Weekes, Laurence Winston, Laura Schwartz, Kelly T. Currie
Media Mentions
Firm News & Announcements