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Sophie Davis

Counsel (New Zealand Qualified)
Counsel (New Zealand Qualified)
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VCard
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Areas of Focus

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 | 9 min read | 07.18.25

U.S. Lifts Most Sanctions on Syria in Major Policy Development

On June 30, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14312 effectively lifting (or beginning the process of lifting) most of the sanctions on Syria. Executive Order 14312 cites the leadership changes and the policies of the new Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa as the reasons for the removal of sanctions. On the same day, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Department of State took steps to implement the termination of the program by, among other actions, delisting appropriate individuals and entities from the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List). These actions followed the initial sanctions relief provided on May 23, 2025 by OFAC, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), and the State Department....

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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 | 9 min read | 07.18.25

U.S. Lifts Most Sanctions on Syria in Major Policy Development

On June 30, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14312 effectively lifting (or beginning the process of lifting) most of the sanctions on Syria. Executive Order 14312 cites the leadership changes and the policies of the new Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa as the reasons for the removal of sanctions. On the same day, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Department of State took steps to implement the termination of the program by, among other actions, delisting appropriate individuals and entities from the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List). These actions followed the initial sanctions relief provided on May 23, 2025 by OFAC, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), and the State Department....

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Insights

Client Alert | 9 min read | 07.18.25

U.S. Lifts Most Sanctions on Syria in Major Policy Development

Client Alert | 4 min read | 07.11.25

The U.S.-UK Trade Deal – So Far

Blog Post | 06.05.25

New UK Sanctions Reporting Duties for Insolvency Practitioners and Other Professionals

Client Alert | 4 min read | 05.08.25

UK Corporate Confessions: The SFO's New Playbook

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Practices

Sophie's Insights

Client Alert | 9 min read | 07.18.25

U.S. Lifts Most Sanctions on Syria in Major Policy Development

On June 30, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14312 effectively lifting (or beginning the process of lifting) most of the sanctions on Syria. Executive Order 14312 cites the leadership changes and the policies of the new Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa as the reasons for the removal of sanctions. On the same day, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Department of State took steps to implement the termination of the program by, among other actions, delisting appropriate individuals and entities from the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List). These actions followed the initial sanctions relief provided on May 23, 2025 by OFAC, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), and the State Department....

View All Insights