Sophie Davis

Counsel (New Zealand Qualified)

Counsel (New Zealand Qualified)

London
- D
  +44.20.7154.4867

c29kYXZpc0Bjcm93ZWxsLmNvbQ==

VCard

Areas of Focus

Overview
Representative Matters
Insights
Related Practices/Industries

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

Blog Post | 10.29.25

Key Takeaways from a Consequential Month of Russia-Related Sanctions

Client Alert | 9 min read | 10.28.25
Key Takeaways from a Consequential Month of Russia-Related Sanctions
Blog Post | 10.24.25
EU Adopts 19th Sanctions Package Against Russia
Blog Post | 10.17.25
UK Sanctions Lukoil, Rosneft in Major Russia Sanctions Expansion

View All Insights

Representative Matters

Conducted sanctions and compliance due diligence in the context of major M&A and outsourcing transactions, as well as providing post-closing compliance guidance on international trade matters.
Advised EU- and UK-based companies operating in the maritime sector on their sanctions and export compliance, including reviewing high-risk transactions and developing their sanctions procedures.
Supported various multinational companies seeking to divest their Russian-related operations, including engaging with regulators on their behalf.
Advised a global software company on EU and UK sanctions, including the implications of Russian enterprise management software restrictions.
Supported numerous clients on the implications of EU and UK trade sanctions matters, including with respect to implementing enhanced diligence programmes to manage diversion risk for high-priority items.
Ongoing sanctions representation for numerous professional services firms, including helping clients to manage indirect sanctions risks arising from their customers’ businesses.
Assisted 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.
Conducted training and drafted training modules for company personnel regarding compliance with sanctions, export controls, anti-corruption, and AML laws.
Supported numerous clients on the application of the UK’s National Security and Investment Act 2021 (NSIA) to their transactions and the application of similar screening regimes across a range of geographies.