Richard Kovalevsky KC is a partner in our Global Commercial Disputes Group and has over 30 years of experience representing corporations, directors and high net worth individuals in a wide variety of white collar criminal disputes, regulatory and internal investigations, and civil litigation, with a particular focus on financial crime.
Richard has successfully defended against, and has extensive experience advising on, claims of fraud, money laundering, corruption, market manipulation, market abuse, competition and cartel allegations, and insider trading. He has advised and engaged at all levels of the UK court system, as well as being actively involved internationally. Richard regularly handles matters pending before the UK Serious Fraud Office, the U.S. Department of Justice, the UK Financial Conduct Authority, and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Highly regarded by both clients and peers, Richard is currently recognised in Band 1 by Chambers & Partners for Financial Crime: High Net Worth Individuals – UK, with sources noting that Richard is “an extraordinary lawyer and human being; very smart and prepared. Capable of solving large-scale situations.” and that he is “Truly the best lawyer I have ever worked with; a global thinker, a creative mind and an incredibly hard worker.” He is also recognized as a leading practitioner in Who’s Who Legal in the Investigations category and in Spear’s 500.
Prior to joining Reed Smith, Richard was a partner and head of Criminal Defense and Investigations at the London office of Cohen & Gresser and partner and head of the financial crime practice at Stewarts. Before that, he practiced as a leading silk (barrister) at 2 Bedford Row.
