BANKSIDE LAW - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Solicitor
• Member of the Criminal Bar Association

Alexandra was called to the Bar in 2005 and qualified as a Solicitor Advocate in 2012. She is therefore well qualified not only to prepare cases but also to conduct advocacy. Since joining Bankside Law Alex has built upon her broad range of experience in general criminal matters to specialise in both prosecuting and defending professional disciplinary cases and defending clients accused of white collar crimes. Alex has represented one of seven defendants in Operation Saturn, the FSA's largest prosecution for insider dealing as both a solicitor and advocate. She has also been involved in the recent LIBOR and Forex investigations. Her fraud work includes successfully defending a multi-handed MTIC fraud and defending a former partner of a prominent firm of solicitors on allegations of mortgage fraud brought by the SFO. She also successfully represented another solicitor in a five month trial also prosecuted by the SFO and described as "one of the largest mortgage frauds ever". She defends doctors in relation to General Medical Council Investigations, Interim Order Panel and Fitness to Practice Hearings before the MPTS. She has also successfully defended doctors accused of criminal investigations including theft, sexual assault and murder. She also regularly defends chiropractors before the General Chiropractic Council at both the Investigating Committee (IC) and Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) stage and has helped maintain Bankside Law's 100% success rate in recent ‘web site' cases. She has continued to obtain excellent results for her chiropractic clients with the majority of her cases not progressing to a full hearing, either as result of successful representations to the IC or the PCC finding that none of the allegations resulted in unacceptable professional conduct. Alex has also successfully represented nurses before the Nursing and Midwifery Council, an ICAEW accountant and is currently assisting with a case before the HCPC. She has also prosecuteded disciplinary cases before the Professional Conduct Committee of the Architects Registration Board. Alex previously worked for Ernst & Young within the Transaction Advisory Services and Real Estate Finance teams, advising on capital raising, mergers and acquisitions. The work involved the preparation of information memoranda, company and sector research and analysis, project management and the analysis and negotiation of commercial agreements. She also worked closely with the Fraud Investigation and Dispute Services Team and the Competition Commission. Prior to this, Alex was the Compliance and Investor Relations Manager for a Canadian gold mining company listed on the London and Toronto stock exchange. In her spare time Alex enjoys reading, sport and travel. She has recently discovered the sport of triathlon and has undertaken several sprint distances, but plans to work towards an Olympic distance event next year. Memberships, Awards and Scholarships: Alexandra is a member of the Criminal Bar Association, Young Fraud Lawyers Association, The Association for Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers and Middle Temple. She was awarded a Benefactors Scholarship and Entrance Exhibition from Middle Temple.

Job Titles:

• Director
• Senior Solicitor

Bill is a Senior Solicitor and Director of Bankside Law who specialises in Financial Crime, Regulatory and Disciplinary matters. He has extensive experience defending individuals within both the investigation and proceeding stages of allegations brought by a variety of different agencies which have included the Serious Fraud Office (SFO); Financial Conduct Authority (FCA); HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC); Crown Prosecution Service (CPS); National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Police. He regularly is instructed by a variety of professionals who unfortunately find themselves under investigation. Through Bill's intervention and strategic experience, there have been many occasions when he is able to conclude investigations in his client's favour without recourse to either Tribunals or indeed the Court. He is well known for his determination to succeed, client care, approachability and an eye for detail. Many of Bill's cases have been extremely high profile and complex, which have included the following: • Serious Fraud and ancillary offences

Gillian was called to the Bar in 1979 and started practising in 1981. For many years she was in Chambers, most recently at 5 King's Bench Walk. Whilst in Chambers she was instructed in a variety of cases which have included fraud (including a 7- month VAT fraud as leading counsel for one of the Defendants), all types of dishonesty including Blackmail, robbery and deception; offences of violence, sexual offences and drugs offences. She was previously instructed by John Williams and Bill Wilson when she was in Chambers. In 2009 she joined Ronald Fletcher Baker LLP as one of three in-house Barrister advocates. She remained there for 5 years. The work undertaken was defence criminal work of all kinds including murder, fraud, and rape. She also undertook, as leading counsel, a Health and Safety trial involving injuries when a fairground ride failed. In 2014, Gillian decided to return to the Bar and to work independently of a Chambers. She accepts criminal cases on a freelance basis from Solicitors. She appears primarily in the Crown Court and occasionally at the Court of Appeal. In 2017 Gillian decided to branch out into the field of professional regulatory defence work and now assists John Williams in preparatory work for his cases and undertake some of the advocacy that is required. Gillian is a member of Lincoln's Inn and the Criminal Bar Association

Job Titles:

• Managing Director

John has been recognised by both Chambers and Legal 500 for his regulatory and fraud work. In Chambers he is ranked as a leading expert for professional disciplinary work and is applauded for his "highly astute counsel - he makes certain his clients always get the best deal". He is increasingly sought out for referrals from other firms. He is an active member of the Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers (ARDL) and in his spare time enjoys golf and watching rugby.