Signature Litigation Launches White-Collar Crime Practice with Twin Partner Hire

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Signature Litigation has bolstered its London office with the strategic appointment of two seasoned partners, Mark Beardsworth from Goodwin and Duncan Grieve from Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft, to spearhead its newly established white-collar crime and investigations practice. This move marks a significant expansion of the firm’s capabilities in a critical area of legal practice.

Mark Beardsworth brings an impressive 25 years of expertise, having represented clients in high-stakes investigations led by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO). His track record includes navigating complex LIBOR/EURIBOR rate-setting cases and foreign exchange litigation. Notably, he played a key role in securing an acquittal for Barclays in a landmark case involving Qatari investments, widely regarded as a defining moment in recent banking enforcement. Beardsworth also advises corporations on governance, compliance, and risk management, particularly in high-pressure scenarios such as mergers and acquisitions or distressed situations.

Duncan Grieve, an emerging markets specialist, contributes approximately 15 years of experience in advising on cross-border matters involving major enforcement agencies. His bilingual proficiency in Portuguese and extensive work in Portugal and Lusophone Africa set him apart in the London legal market. Grieve’s expertise in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) compliance further strengthens his profile. His prior work in Brazil, advising on the high-profile Lava Jato (Operation Car Wash) investigations, included negotiating groundbreaking leniency agreements with Brazilian authorities.

Graham Huntley, Signature’s founding partner, praised the new hires, stating, “Mark and Duncan are formidable operators, and their addition aligns with our commitment to work closely with the Bar.” He further noted that the firm offers “fresh opportunities for Mark and Duncan to extend their reach collectively in London and internationally.”

Beardsworth, who led Goodwin’s European investigations team for the past year, previously spent nearly four years at Cadwalader, where he managed a team that included Grieve. His earlier career included over seven years as a partner at Brown Rudnick and a decade at Kingsley Napley, following his training at Peters & Peters. Reflecting on the move, Beardsworth remarked, “I’m pleased to reunite with Duncan, and together we’ll add increased depth to Signature’s already robust offering.”

Grieve, who was promoted to partner at Cadwalader early last year after over five years with the firm, brings a wealth of experience from his time in Brazil and nearly a decade at Morrison & Foerster. 

He emphasised that Signature will provide “an end-to-end service covering commercial litigation, international arbitration, and white-collar crime and investigations.”

This double hire follows Signature’s recent recruitment of Paris disputes partner Laurent Martinet from Paul Hastings, signalling the firm’s ambition to expand its footprint. Beardsworth’s skills complement those of existing partners like Huntley and Daniel Spendlove, who have handled complex cases such as the SFO v ENRC civil litigation, a case that raised pivotal questions about privilege and self-reporting.