Matthew Townsend
Partner, Global Co-Head International Trade and Regulatory Law Group
London
Matthew Townsend
Partner, Global Co-Head International Trade and Regulatory Law Group
London
Contact details
Matt is co-head of the International Environmental, Climate and Regulatory Law Groups at Allen & Overy and one of the founders of the firm’s Global ESG Group. He also co-heads the International Trade Group. Matt advises on a wide range of regulatory and compliance matters including sustainability and ESG; climate transition programmes; decarbonisation; environmental risk management; product compliance and safety; carbon pricing/trading; corporate reporting and disclosure; governance and risk management; international trade law; sanctions and export controls. He has worked extensively with clients to develop compliance programmes across a broad range of regulatory and risk areas.
Matt has practised in environmental and climate law for over 26 years and has been recognised as a leading practitioner in his field for many years. He is a regular commentator on new and emerging developments.
Matt works with major international clients across jurisdictions and in multiple sectors including financial services, energy, industrials, chemicals, technology and many more.
He is widely recognised as one of Europe’s leading regulatory compliance lawyers.
Expertise
Practices
Bribery and Corruption Investigations
Corporate Governance and Compliance
Environmental, Climate and Regulatory Law
Environmental, Social and Governance
Sanctions, International Trade and Investment Compliance
Litigation, Arbitration and Investigations
Public International Law and Investment Disputes
Sectors
Qualifications
Professional
Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 1996
Academic
BA (Hons), University of Birmingham, 1992
Diploma, Law, The College Of Law, York, 1993
Diploma, Legal Practice, The College Of Law, York, 1994
Related articles
Publications: 01 June 2023
First of its kind "derivative action" climate case falls at the first hurdle
In a judgment handed down on 12 May 2023, the English High Court has refused permission for UK environmental NGO ClientEarth to continue "derivative claims" on behalf of Shell against its directors in…
Publications: 25 May 2023
A changing sanctions landscape – enhanced risks for global investors, banks and companies
Publications: 25 May 2023
Experience highlights
Matt has advised a range of clients (financial institutions, corporates and industry bodies) on operational risk assessments in respect of sustainability compliance and the development of associated compliance reviews and programmes. He regularly advises clients on sustainability considerations in respect of strategic-level transactions (such as project financing, M&A and capital markets) and issues (such as TCFD reporting; directors’ duties; carbon pricing mechanisms and greenwashing).
Matt advises on environmental, health and safety and climate regulatory matters across a broad range of corporate and real estate transactions, projects and finance-related matters. He has advised extensively on issues arising from climate change, carbon trading, circular economy programmes, supply chain risk management, renewable power, energy and infrastructure projects, the transfrontier shipment of hazardous products, international conventions on pollution, safety and sustainability. He also advises on contentious environmental and climate matters, including indemnity/warranty claims and enforcement action by regulators.
Matt regularly advises on export control and sanctions issues in the context of debt and equity raisings, M&A transactions, joint ventures and listings and has worked closely with a range of corporates and financial institutions on sanctions risk management and the development of internal sanctions compliance programmes.
Matt specialises in a range of trade and regulatory matters including economic and trade sanctions and export controls, WTO rules, tariffs, free trade agreements, and customs controls. He has worked closely with a wide range of corporates and financial institutions on trade restrictions and foreign direct investment regimes. He also advises on wider related compliance matters such as anti-bribery and corruption (ABAC) and anti-money laundering (AML).
Expertise
Practices
Bribery and Corruption Investigations
Corporate Governance and Compliance
Environmental, Climate and Regulatory Law
Environmental, Social and Governance
Sanctions, International Trade and Investment Compliance
Litigation, Arbitration and Investigations
Public International Law and Investment Disputes
Sectors
Qualifications
Professional
Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 1996
Academic
BA (Hons), University of Birmingham, 1992
Diploma, Law, The College Of Law, York, 1993
Diploma, Legal Practice, The College Of Law, York, 1994
Other noteworthy experience
- He is a member of the FLMC’s ESG Working Group, the City of London Law Society’s environmental working group and UKELA, a member of an Advisory Board to the EBRD on ESG guidelines for companies in the CEE region, advising Editor of Environmental Liability journal and a member of the Executive Committee of the Legal Sustainability Alliance.
Pro bono
- Ambassador for Hope and Homes for Children
- Executive member of the Legal Sector Alliance
Published work
- Co-editor: "REACH - Best Practice Guide to Regulation 1907/2006" (Hart/Beck)
- Contributor: "Project Finance" by G. Vinter (Sweet & Maxwell)
- Contributor: "EPC Contracts and Major Projects" by N. Pritchard (Sweet & Maxwell)
- Matt is a regular speaker and commentator on business compliance issues.
Recognition
They are knowledgeable and dependable. We particularly value Matthew Townsend, whose guidance has been invaluable.
Legal 500 UK 2022 (Environment)
'Matthew Townsend is pragmatic and commercial.' 'He is always available and provides clear, coherent advice in very good time.' 'Matthew is great with the spread of his breadth of knowledge.'
Chambers UK 2022 (Environment and Climate Change)
Very experienced and technically superb, he is very good at what he does. He’s great to deal with and he knows his subject inside out.
Chambers Europe 2021 (Regulatory: Environment)
Awards & accolades
Thought Leader Global Elite
Who’s Who Legal 2022 (Environment, Climate Change and Trade & Customs)
Hall of Fame
Legal 500 UK 2022 (Environment)
Band One
Chambers UK 2022 (Environment and Climate Change)
