Our Team

Mark Kenkre is a leading commercial disputes lawyer specialising in intricate and commercially sensitive fraud cases. He specializes in tracing and recovering fraud proceeds both in the UK and internationally. He is adept at securing urgent injunctive relief, such as freezing orders and search and seizure orders.

Mark’s expertise includes managing complex multi-claimant and multi-jurisdictional disputes, with significant experience in litigation funding and after-the-event (ATE) insurance. Recognised by The Legal 500 UK 2024 as “legally sophisticated, clinical but always commercial” and ranked by Chambers & Partners since 2006, Mark is praised as “very user-friendly, client-focused, and knowledgeable.” His profound expertise in multi-jurisdictional fraud claims is particularly noted.

Mark Kenkre’s dedication to excellence and skill in handling high-stakes disputes make him a trusted client advisor.

Sam Pearse brings a versatile skill set to our firm, advising clients on corporate, commercial, and financial matters. His extensive experience covers both public and private mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, investments, board governance, and shareholder disputes.

Sam is known for his inclusive approach, representing listed and private corporate groups, asset managers, entrepreneurs, investors, and high-net-worth families. His strengths lie in his 20 years of experience and are complemented by his intuitive understanding of people from all walks of life.

Sam’s expertise spans multiple industries, including B2B, B2C, technology, financial services, hospitality, sports, and entertainment. Alongside his typical diet of M&A and corporate advisory, he advises private equity houses on buyouts, institutional investors on investments, growth companies on funding, and asset managers on fund formations. He has expanded his services to advising athletes on branding and sponsorships.

He has been ranked for M&A, Fintech, and Hedge Funds by The Legal 500. Sam also serves as the firm’s Compliance Officer for Legal Practice.

Sam is a seasoned legal expert whose extensive industry knowledge makes him an invaluable asset to clients across various sectors.

Ben Rees is an expert in financial services, specialising in regulatory matters and dispute resolution. He has exceptional skill in handling claims involving the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), and retail investment mis-selling. Ben also advises on non-contentious issues, including regulatory structures, business models, control application changes, regulated activities, and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) permissions.

Ben’s extensive legal and banking experience makes him a sought-after expert witness in financial litigation and fraud investigations.

He was educated at the University of Birmingham and holds undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Law and Economics. He is recognised as a Chartered Fellow of the Personal Finance Society (PFS) and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT). Formerly, Ben held the esteemed position of Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Securities & Investment (CISI).

With his extensive experience in legal, banking, and financial services, Ben is recognised for his ability to provide strategic insights and practical solutions.

Matthew Wentworth-May brings over 18 years of experience in tax advice for corporate, commercial, and real estate sectors, focusing on Technology, Media, and Sport. He supports his clients in all matters regarding UK taxes by guiding them through M&A, private equity transactions, restructurings, joint ventures, and venture capital investments. He was recognised for his VAT and indirect tax expertise in the leading legal directory The Legal 500, in 2013.

Matthew frequently advises US and Asian businesses on tax-efficient UK operations, showcasing his expertise in cross-border tax issues. He also assists clients in dispute resolution with UK tax authorities, from technical inquiries to appeals, and is skilled in cost-effective alternative dispute resolution.

Matthew’s dedication to strategic, tailored tax guidance has earned him a reputation for his commitment to excellence, making him a valuable asset to businesses seeking comprehensive tax advisory services.

Catriona is a corporate lawyer with experience in the full range of company and commercial advisory and transactional matters. Catriona gained experience at a corporate boutique and an AmLaw 100 law firm.

Catriona’s deal sheet features cross-border and domestic mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity and venture capital transactions, international reorganisations and corporate advisory matters. Her client base is a diverse clientele, including private and publicly traded companies, founders, startups, alternative asset managers and investors operating in sectors including life sciences, financial services, renewable energy, technology, sports and hospitality.

Catriona has also served as in-house M&A counsel. There, her expertise in deal strategy and execution, and collaboration with other internal teams, contributed to the development and realisation of legal initiatives and the overall success of the organisation.

Catriona holds an honours degree in Scots Law from the University of Aberdeen and completed her diploma in professional legal practice at the University of Glasgow. She has practised in Edinburgh, London and Singapore

Tobias Clapp is a recently qualified corporate lawyer with a robust background in transactional corporate, commercial and financial matters. Tobias’ legal journey began with a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Exeter, before completing his Legal Practice Course at the University of Law. He then worked as a paralegal both in-house and for a firm, equipping him with insight from both sides of the lawyer-client relationship.

Tobias trained at the London office of an Am Law 100 US law firm, where he handled a broad range of corporate and commercial transactions. To date, Tobias’ sector experience includes technology, hospitality, sports, entertainment and financial services, representing listed companies through to entrepreneurs. Tobias is also passionate about contributing to pro bono initiatives that support local businesses and entrepreneurs.

Tobias has a drive to deepen his understanding of the legal intricacies and business factors that underpin corporate and commercial transactions.

Billy Earl has acted in complex civil fraud, shareholder, and joint venture disputes. His background spans multiple industries, including mining, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and finance. He has experience both in litigation and arbitration, including disputes in the King’s Bench Division, Commercial Court, and under the LCIA and ICC Rules.

Billy can advise on securing and resisting interim relief, including freezing injunctions, Norwich Pharmacal relief, and anti-suit injunctions. He has significant experience in developing, litigating, and settling large class action claims.

Billy graduated with first-class honours in Law. As part of his undergraduate degree, he spent a year studying Economics, Econometrics, and Political Science on a foreign exchange programme in Melbourne, Australia.

His varied and multidisciplinary background enriches his ability to provide strategic solutions to his client’s complex challenges.

Charlotte Last holds a Law degree from the University of Nottingham and achieved a Distinction in both the LPC and her Masters in Law and Business. She received her training at a boutique litigation firm ranked Band 1 in the Legal 500, where she developed a strong foundation in legal practice.

Charlotte has played a significant role in litigating some of the largest class action and commercial claims within the English jurisdiction. Her experience includes cross-border litigation and representing high-net-worth individuals and commercial entities.

With her precise legal acumen and dedication to achieving exceptional outcomes, Charlotte Last is a formidable presence in the field of litigation.

Following his retirement from professional rugby in 2006, Mark Denney transitioned into the dynamic world of commodity markets, joining ICAP Energy. There, he joined a broking business that became one of the leading and most successful inter-dealer brokerages in the global energy market.

In 2015, seeking a fresh challenge, Mark embarked on a new chapter by focusing on debt advisory work within the commercial and development property sectors. Leveraging his extensive experience and fostering strong relationships within the banking and lending sector, Mark established DenCo Advisory in January 2018. To date, Mark has advised on transactions totalling over £250 million.

Mark’s expertise complements his aspiration to qualify as a lawyer, having cultivated a robust skill set through collaboration with the legal profession over the past nine years. Mark was educated at Cambridge University and holds an MA in Law. His BA in Economic & Social History from Bristol University enriches his multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving and client service.

Mark’s illustrious professional rugby career saw him play for Bristol, Castres Olympique, Wasps and Cambridge University. He was a member of the Wasps team that won the 2002-03 Premiership Final, the 2003-04 Premiership Final and the 2004 Heineken Cup Final.

Mark’s extensive experience and accomplishments across various ventures illustrate his commitment to professional excellence and multidisciplinary success.

Neha graduated from Durham University in June 2024 with a First Class Honours in Law. Her academic background has equipped her with a solid foundation in legal principles, strong legal research and analytical skills. An aspiring solicitor with a focussed interest in commercial disputes, Neha is a driven and collaborative individual dedicated to developing her legal career.