Sophie Davis

Counsel (New Zealand Qualified)

Overview

Sophie Davis is a counsel in Crowell’s London office and advises clients on a range of sanctions, export controls, and trade compliance matters. Sophie has particular experience advising multinational corporations and financial institutions on how to comply with rapidly evolving trade and financial sanctions across a range of EU and UK sanctions regimes, assisting corporate clients with complex sanctions issues arising from their continued operations in, or divestments from, Russia, and supporting clients with licensing applications and responding to investigations.

Sophie also assists companies on compliance with anti-bribery and anti-money laundering laws, foreign direct investment requirements, human rights, environmental and sustainability regulatory requirements. Prior to joining Crowell & Moring, Sophie worked in the international trade and regulatory team in another top international law firm, based in London, as well as for a leading New Zealand law firm.

Career & Education

    • Victoria University of Wellington, LL.B., Hons, 2016
    • Victoria University of Wellington, B.A., 2016
    • University of Pennsylvania, LL.M., 2020
    • Victoria University of Wellington, LL.B., Hons, 2016
    • Victoria University of Wellington, B.A., 2016
    • University of Pennsylvania, LL.M., 2020
    • New Zealand
    • New Zealand

Sophie's Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 05.08.25

UK Corporate Confessions: The SFO's New Playbook

On 24 April 2025, the UK Serious Fraud Office (“SFO”) unveiled its new External Guidance on Corporate Co-Operation and Enforcement in relation to Corporate Criminal Offending (the “Guidance”)[1]to enhance corporate compliance, transparency and cooperation in combatting fraud, bribery and corruption in the UK. This comprehensive guidance is critical for both UK-based entities and international companies operating under UK jurisdiction....

Representative Matters

  • Advising numerous international companies and financial institutions on UK, EU and UN sanctions matters, including with respect to enhanced sanctions against Russia.
  • Conducting sanctions and compliance due diligence in the context of major M&A transactions, including for clients seeking to divest their Russian-related business.
  • Assisting clients with preparing and implementing a range of business compliance policies and procedures, including with respect to sanctions, trade controls, anti-corruption, anti-money laundering (AML), and business ethics.

Sophie's Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 05.08.25

UK Corporate Confessions: The SFO's New Playbook

On 24 April 2025, the UK Serious Fraud Office (“SFO”) unveiled its new External Guidance on Corporate Co-Operation and Enforcement in relation to Corporate Criminal Offending (the “Guidance”)[1]to enhance corporate compliance, transparency and cooperation in combatting fraud, bribery and corruption in the UK. This comprehensive guidance is critical for both UK-based entities and international companies operating under UK jurisdiction....

Sophie's Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 05.08.25

UK Corporate Confessions: The SFO's New Playbook

On 24 April 2025, the UK Serious Fraud Office (“SFO”) unveiled its new External Guidance on Corporate Co-Operation and Enforcement in relation to Corporate Criminal Offending (the “Guidance”)[1]to enhance corporate compliance, transparency and cooperation in combatting fraud, bribery and corruption in the UK. This comprehensive guidance is critical for both UK-based entities and international companies operating under UK jurisdiction....