Laurence Winston is a partner and co-head of Crowell & Moring’s International Dispute Resolution Group in the firm’s London office. He is also a member of the firm’s Privacy & Cybersecurity Group and Financial Services Group. 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
- Acted for a major UK broadcaster in a high profile £10m dispute with its main contractor in relation to the construction and subsequent demolition and rebuild of film studios for its flagship soap opera.
- Acted for an Italian conglomerate in a US$50m ICC arbitration dispute over the construction of LNG tank farms in Qatar involving other parties in Korea and Qatar.
- Acted in a multi-billion dollar arbitration dispute involving the construction of an airport in the Middle East.
- 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.
Speeches & Presentations
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“Arbitration in Times of Conflict,” Tel Aviv Arbitration Week, Tel Aviv, Israel.
(March 3, 2023).
Speakers: Nimi Aviad, Lauren Blanchard, Mark Kass, Ian Laird, Stu Newberger, Uri Niv, Aryeh Portnoy, David Ramm, and Laurence Winston.
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"Nuts & Bolts of Investigations: Protecting Privilege," Lexology Webinar, 2022.
(May 19, 2022).
Speakers: Nimrod Haim Aviad, Thomas A. Hanusik, mMaarten Stassen and Laurence Winston.
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"Cybersecurity Predictions and Trends for 2022: A UK Focus," Crowell & Moring Webinar.
(February 24, 2022).
Speakers: Evan D. Wolff, Laurence Winston, and Nicola Phillips.
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"Nuts & Bolts of Investigations: Protecting Privilege," Investigations: Readiness and Response Webinar Series
(April 27, 2021).
Presenters: Nimrod Haim Aviad, Kelly T. Currie, Rebecca Monck Ricigliano, Maarten Stassen, and Laurence Winston.
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"Global Cross-Border Data Transfers (Part 3)," Crowell & Moring Webinar
(April 15, 2021).
Presenters: Ambassador Robert Holleyman, Jarno Vanto, Maarten Stassen, and Laurence Winston.
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"Emerging Trends in International Disputes," ICC Qatar & Crowell & Moring Webinar
(November 19, 2020).
Speakers: Ian Laird, Laurence Winston, Randa Adra, and Tarek Saad
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"Global Cross-Border Data Transfers (Part 1)," Crowell & Moring Webinar
(September 16, 2020).
Moderator: Kristin J. Madigan; Presenters: Ambassador Robert Holleyman, Maarten Stassen, Jarno Vanto, and Laurence Winston.
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"Global Aerospace and Defence Compliance Leadership during and after COVID-19," Crowell & Moring Webinar
(May 6, 2020).
Presenters: Peter J. Eyre, Trina Fairley Barlow, Ambassador Robert Holleyman, Natalie O. Ludaway, and Laurence Winston
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"Compare and Contrast of Force Majeure Interpretations and Other Business Interruption Contractual Issues," Crowell & Moring Webinar
(April 16, 2020).
Presenters: Mark A. Klapow, Frederik Van Remoortel, Laurence Winston, and Yao Mao.
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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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"Global COVID-19 and Sports; Threats and Responses Exposure Claims and Liability Mitigation Considerations," Crowell & Moring
(August 15, 2020).
Authors: Thomas P. Gies, Kristof Roox, Laurence Winston, and Chalana N. Damron.
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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.
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Class Actions: Getting Traction
Client Alerts & Newsletters
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"Data Breach Decisions: A Turning of The Tide?,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(January 26, 2022).
Contacts: Robert Weekes, Laurence Winston, Maarten Stassen, David Russell, CFA
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"UK Supreme Court Decisions on Arbitration Agreements and Procedure in 2020-2021,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(January 26, 2022).
Contacts: Robert Weekes, Laurence Winston, Nicola Phillips, David Russell, CFA
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"English High Court Judgment Narrows The Scope of Data Breach Claims,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(September 15, 2021).
Contacts: David Russell, CFA, Robert Weekes, Laurence Winston, Maarten Stassen
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"Just in Time - EU Adopts Adequacy Decisions for free flow of data with UK,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(June 29, 2021).
Contacts: Jeffrey L. Poston, Maarten Stassen, Frederik Van Remoortel, Robert Weekes, Laurence Winston
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"The New Standard Contractual Clauses for Transfers of Personal Data from the EU,"
Privacy Law Alert
(June 7, 2021).
Contacts: Jeffrey L. Poston, Maarten Stassen, Jeane A. Thomas, CIPP/E, Frederik Van Remoortel, Laurence Winston
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"SFO Investigation Powers Over Foreign Companies Limited by U.K. Supreme Court Decision,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(March 3, 2021).
Contacts: Nimrod Haim Aviad, Laurence Winston
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"Post-Brexit: Jurisdiction Clauses and Governing Law Clauses,"
Brexit Update
(February 16, 2021).
Contacts: Laurence Winston, Edward Norman, Roma Patel
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"U.K. Supreme Court Delivers Landmark Judgment on Apparent Bias of Arbitrators,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(December 10, 2020).
Contacts: Robert Weekes, Laurence Winston, Nicola Phillips, Gordon McAllister, David Russell, CFA
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"The New LCIA Arbitration Rules - Progress Despite 2020!,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(December 4, 2020).
Contacts: Gordon McAllister, Robert Weekes, Laurence Winston, Edward Norman, Edmund Northcott
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"Data Transfers from the EU: What Does "Good" Look Like?,"
Privacy Law Alert
(November 17, 2020).
Contacts: Maarten Stassen, Jeffrey L. Poston, Robert Holleyman, Jeane A. Thomas, CIPP/E, Frederik Van Remoortel, Laurence Winston
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"U.K. Supreme Court Clarifies How to Determine the Governing Law of Arbitration Agreements,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(October 30, 2020).
Contacts: Nicola Phillips, Robert Weekes, Laurence Winston, David Russell, CFA
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"Privacy Shield Invalidated: EU Data Transfers to the U.S. under Siege (again…),"
Privacy Law Alert
(July 16, 2020).
Contacts: Robert Holleyman, Jeffrey L. Poston, Maarten Stassen, Jeane A. Thomas, CIPP/E, Frederik Van Remoortel, Laurence Winston
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"UK Government Guidance Calls for Responsible Contractual Behaviour in Contracts Materially Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(June 15, 2020).
Contacts: Gordon McAllister, Laurence Winston
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"Contractual Disruption Update - English Court Finds That a Warehouse Fire Following a Riot Is Not a Force Majeure Event,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(June 2, 2020).
Contacts: Laurence Winston, John Laird, Edward Norman
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"International Chamber of Commerce Updates its Model Force Majeure and Hardship Clauses Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(May 6, 2020).
Contacts: Ian A. Laird, John L. Murino, Laurence Winston, Emily Alban
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"Virtual Arbitral Hearings, COVID-19, and Award Enforcement,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(April 29, 2020).
Contacts: Randa Adra, Ian A. Laird, Laurence Winston, John Laird
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"English Contractual and Common Law Remedies for COVID-19 Business Interruption,"
Corporate Alert
(April 22, 2020).
Contacts: Robert Weekes, Laurence Winston, John Laird
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"An Update on U.K. Data Breach Damages,"
Privacy Law Alert
(April 17, 2020).
Contacts: Nicola Phillips, Robert Weekes, Laurence Winston, John Laird
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"Will Lenders be able to use COVID-19 to Invoke Material Adverse Change Clauses?,"
Corporate Alert
(April 17, 2020).
Contacts: Andrew J. Knight, Nicola Phillips, Robert Weekes, Laurence Winston, David Russell, CFA
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"Amid Court Closures and COVID-Related Chaos, Arbitration Goes On,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(April 16, 2020).
Contacts: Randa Adra, Ian A. Laird, Laurence Winston, Edward Norman
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"Profiteering in the U.K. and the Pandemic: Navigating Fluctuating Markets and Erratic Supply Chains,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(April 3, 2020).
Contacts: Nicola Phillips, Robert Weekes, Laurence Winston
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"Morrisons Supermarket Not Liable for Employee’s Data Breach,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(April 1, 2020).
Contacts: Nicola Phillips, Maarten Stassen, Robert Weekes, Laurence Winston, John Laird
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"An English Law Perspective on COVID-19 and Contractual Disruption,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(March 18, 2020).
Contacts: Nicola Phillips, Robert Weekes, Laurence Winston, John Laird
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"Coronavirus – Issues for Asset-Based Lenders,"
(March 16, 2020).
Contacts: Andrew J. Knight, Paul Muscutt, Nicola Phillips, Robert Weekes, Cathryn Williams, Laurence Winston
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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).
Contact: Laurence Winston
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"A New Dawn in International Enforcement of Mediation Agreements: The Singapore Convention,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(August 12, 2019).
Contacts: Laurence Winston, John Laird
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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, Michelle J. Linderman, Laurence Winston, Danielle Giffuni
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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
Press Coverage
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Belgian Practitioner Swaps A&O For Crowell
June 28, 2022 — Global Arbitration Review
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A&O Brussels Veteran Exits For Crowell
June 21, 2022 — Commercial Dispute Resolution
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Difficult Path Ahead For New ICO Head John Edwards
January 12, 2022 — Compliance Week
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Concerns with UK plans to diverge from EU GDPR
September 21, 2021 — International Finance Law Review
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ICC Qatar Webinar Sheds Light On Emerging Trends In Dispute Resolution
November 22, 2020 — Qatar Tribune
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Emerging Trends In International Disputes
November 22, 2020 — Qatar Chamber
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ICC Qatar, Crowell & Moring Hold 1st Webinar On 'Emerging Trends In International Disputes'
November 21, 2020 — MENAFN
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ICC Qatar, Crowell & Moring Hold First Webinar On 'Emerging Trends In International Disputes'
November 21, 2020 — Gulf Times
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ICC Qatar Hosts Webinar On Emerging Trends In International Disputes
November 20, 2020 — The Peninsula
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Squire's Doha Departure Benefits Crowell & Moring
September 9, 2020 — Commercial Dispute Resolution
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Crowell Hires In DC and Doha
September 3, 2020 — Global Arbitration Review
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Lawyers Say NCA Should Refocus After Dismissal Of Unexplained Wealth Orders
April 16, 2020 — Global Investigations Review
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Supreme Court Rules Morrisons Not Liable For Data Breach Caused By Rogue Insider
April 2, 2020 — CSO
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Cryptocurrency Exchange Ordered to Freeze Bitcoins, Identify Suspected Hackers
January 22, 2020 — MoneyLaundering.com
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Crowell & Moring Hires Banking Litigation Partner In London
January 8, 2020 — Law360
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A New Force In Asset-Based Lending
August, 2019 — Business Money
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Crowell Adds Another Squire Patton Boggs Attorney In London
June 20, 2019 — Bloomberg Law
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Crowell Hires Leading Litigator Laurence Winston
June 20, 2019 — Business Money
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Crowell Hires Co-Head, International Dispute Resolution Group
June 20, 2019 — ABL Advisor
Firm News & Announcements