Rebecca Wardle

Rebecca Wardle is an associate with experience in high-value contractual and corporate disputes, and complex fraud cases. Ms. Wardle has acted for clients across multiple sectors, including private equity, tech and life sciences, with experience advising financial institutions in cross-border investigations and litigation. Ms. Wardle has spent time on secondment to a global investment bank. In addition to her disputes practice, Ms. Wardle frequently advises on regulatory, compliance, money laundering, sanctions and anti-bribery and corruption issues. 

Prior to joining Goodwin in 2020, Ms. Wardle was an associate at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP. 

Ms. Wardle’s representative experience includes:

• A leading crypto wallet provider – In defending claims (including dishonest assistance and IP infringement) relating to a potential acquisition of another company.
• A leading crypto wallet provider – In responding to requests from the National Crime Agency and US DoJ in relation to a Suspicious Activity Report filed by the company.
• A consortium of orchestras and ensembles – Acted on a pro bono basis for the promoters of eight critically acclaimed ensembles of more than 200 freelance musicians. The promoters were in a dispute with a well-known, historical church in London, which had purported to terminate 59 contracts for hire with the promoters on the basis that they were unable to go ahead as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• A global asset manager – In pursuing multi-million pound claims against a contractor in relation to cladding defects at two properties.
• A UK fund – Advised on matters in connection to ongoing anti-bribery and corruption investigations by UK and US global enforcement agencies.
• An international patent database – Advised on IP ownership and licensing issues in connection with a sale of the company.
• A medical implant provider – Pursued a claim on behalf of the company to recover monies that were fraudulently misappropriated by a former employee, including commencing bankruptcy proceedings against the individual in question.
• A founder of an employee management platform – Advised on the merits of an unfair prejudice and derivative action against the majority shareholders of the company.
• A real estate finance company – Advised on the implementation of anti-money laundering, anti-bribery and corruption and sanctions policies.
• Brown v BCA Trading – Acted for the defendant majority shareholder in successfully defending at trial a claim of unfair prejudice. The case was the first time that the English court granted an order for the use of predictive coding in disclosure on a contested application.
• Consult II SRO & Ors. v Shire Warwick Lewis Capital Limited & Ors. – Acted for the claimants in connection with proceedings to recover sums invested in a fraudulent scheme, including successfully obtaining a freezing order and default judgment against the defendants, and advising on bankruptcy proceedings. 
• A leading global investment bank – Conducted internal, global regulatory and antitrust investigations in various jurisdictions in relation to the client’s FX sales and trading business. Advised on policies and procedures. 
• A global investment bank – In defending a claim for a make whole payment due under a facility agreement.
• Rolling stock leasing companies – In advising on potential disputes in relation to manufacturing agreements, including in relation to force majeure and COVID-19 related issues.
• Ashany & Ors. v Eco-Bat Technologies Limited – Acted for the claimant directors in connection with the right to disclosure of company information, and successfully defended in the Court of Appeal an order overturning the default rule on discontinuance.
• International energy company – In advising on issues concerning projects in the UK and in relation to an expert determination of a dispute. 
• An international bank – Conducted an internal investigation into whistleblowing allegations made by a bank employee. 
• An overseas pension fund – In obtaining freezing and search orders in support of US civil proceedings to recover a $40 million sum.

• Legal Week Innovation Awards (2018): AI Innovation Award – Brown v BCA Trading
• Legal 500 (2021): Key Lawyer for Banking Litigation (Investment and Retail)