Chris Finney joins the firm from London office of leading US firm

Sona Ganatra promoted from legal director to partner

City law firm Fox Williams has expanded its Financial Services Regulatory team with the appointment of two new partners. Regulatory specialist Chris Finney joins the firm from the London office of a leading US law firm, where he was a partner, and legal director Sona Ganatra is promoted from 1 May.

Chris’s expertise is in UK and European regulatory issues and his clients include national and international (re) insurers, payment services providers, private equity venture capital fund managers, brokers and fintech companies of all kinds. He also advises clients on the negotiation and drafting of their commercial contracts, as well as product terms and conditions. In addition to working in private practice, Chris spent almost a decade in General Counsel’s Division at the Financial Services Authority. The Legal 500 notes that Chris provides “practical, commercial and responsive” regulatory advice.

Sona specialises in contentious UK financial services regulatory issues and internal corporate investigations. She advises corporates and individuals on matters such as anti-money laundering, bribery and corruption, fraud, the Market Abuse Regime, consumer credit related activities, payment services, the Change in Control regime and related insolvency issues.  She also acts in relation to FCA and SFO investigations, prosecutions and enforcement action. Earlier in her career Sona was seconded to the Enforcement Division of the Financial Services Authority, where she appeared before the Regulatory Decisions Committee and participated in settlement discussions with financial institutions.

Peter Wright, head of the firm’s Financial Services Regulatory team said: “Providing our financial services clients with regulatory guidance that enables them to demonstrate resilience in the face of uncertainty, particularly as the sector anticipates and prepares for the effects of Brexit, is paramount. Chris and Sona’s insights from working within the Financial Services Authority, and their in-depth experience, will ensure that we continue to provide clients with the practical, effective advice we are known for in what are often challenging and business-critical situations.”