Sophie Davis
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.
Career & Education
- Victoria University of Wellington, LL.B., Hons, 2016
- Victoria University of Wellington, B.A., 2016
- University of Pennsylvania, LL.M., 2020
- New Zealand
Sophie's Insights
Client Alert | 5 min read | 02.23.26
UK Government Seeks Evidence on Ownership and Control in Financial Sanctions Regulations
The UK’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has launched a call for evidence concerning the "ownership and control" test within UK financial sanctions. The call for evidence, running until 11:59 p.m. on 13 April 2026, seeks stakeholder views on the challenges and implementation of the "control" limb, with particular focus on its hypothetical element.
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
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.
Sophie's Insights
Client Alert | 5 min read | 02.23.26
UK Government Seeks Evidence on Ownership and Control in Financial Sanctions Regulations
The UK’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has launched a call for evidence concerning the "ownership and control" test within UK financial sanctions. The call for evidence, running until 11:59 p.m. on 13 April 2026, seeks stakeholder views on the challenges and implementation of the "control" limb, with particular focus on its hypothetical element.
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
Insights
Report: U.K. sanctions enforcement against Russia lacking since invasion of Ukraine
|08.28.24
Compliance Week
Key Takeaways from a Consequential Month of Russia-Related Sanctions
|10.29.25
Crowell & Moring’s International Trade Law
EU Adopts 19th Sanctions Package Against Russia
|10.24.25
Crowell & Moring’s International Trade Law
Authors:
UK Sanctions Lukoil, Rosneft in Major Russia Sanctions Expansion
|10.17.25
Crowell & Moring’s International Trade Law
The EU and UK Act to Implement the Iran Sanctions “Snapback”
|10.02.25
Crowell & Moring’s International Trade Law
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09.24.25
Crowell & Moring’s International Trade Law
New UK Sanctions Reporting Duties for Insolvency Practitioners and Other Professionals
|06.05.25
Crowell & Moring’s International Trade Law
New UK Sanctions on Russia Targeting Technology, Software and Additional Strategic Goods
|05.02.25
Crowell & Moring’s International Trade Law
Firms at Risk of Monetary Penalty for Breaches of UK Financial Sanctions Imposed on Russia
|03.31.25
Crowell & Moring’s International Trade Law
Authors:
Sophie's Insights
Client Alert | 5 min read | 02.23.26
UK Government Seeks Evidence on Ownership and Control in Financial Sanctions Regulations
The UK’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has launched a call for evidence concerning the "ownership and control" test within UK financial sanctions. The call for evidence, running until 11:59 p.m. on 13 April 2026, seeks stakeholder views on the challenges and implementation of the "control" limb, with particular focus on its hypothetical element.
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
