Matthew Townsend
Partner
London
Matthew Townsend
Partner
London
Contact Details
Matt is a Partner in, and global co-head of, the International Trade and Regulatory Group and advises extensively on a range of global trade and compliance issues including:
- International trade law;
- Sanctions and export controls;
- Anti-bribery policies, due diligence and compliance;
- Environmental, health and safety risks;
- Chemicals and product regulation;
- Climate change and carbon trading;
- Nuclear regulation;
- Transparency and disclosure requirements;
- Business ethics and supply chain controls;
- Human rights.
"He is unique because he's an environmental lawyer and an expert in that space, but he's also a top-notch corporate lawyer so he can understand the commercial tensions." Chambers UK 2020 (Environment)
Leading directories note: “If I was putting together a dream team, it would have him in it.” Chambers UK 2018
“Matthew Townsend is ‘very experienced, knowledgeable, and client and business-focused’.” Chambers Europe 2018
"He is unique because he's an environmental lawyer and an expert in that space, but he's also a top-notch corporate lawyer so he can understand the commercial tensions." Chambers UK 2020 (Environment)
Expertise
Practices
Environment and Regulatory Law
Sanctions, International Trade and Investment Compliance
Sectors
Qualifications
Professional
Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 1996
Admitted as solicitor, Ireland, 2018
Academic
BA (Hons), University of Birmingham, 1992
Diploma, Law, The College Of Law, York, 1993
Diploma, Legal Practice, The College Of Law, York, 1994
News & insights
Publications: 12 AUGUST 2020
Webinar: International sanctions update
This webinar discussed recent U.S., EU and UK developments in relation to China, Russia, Venezuela and Iran.
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Publications: 07 AUGUST 2020
Certain regulators are making changes to their foreign direct investment regimes in response to Covid-19 coronavirus.
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Publications: 07 AUGUST 2020
On 31 July 31 2020, the Irish Supreme Court quashed the national plan for tackling climate change adopted by the Irish Government in 2017. In the wake of the December 2019 Urgenda landmark ruling in…
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Publications: 05 AUGUST 2020
Will climate change go up the boardroom agenda following Covid-19?
We believe that the global Covid-19 pandemic will lead to society at large taking climate change much more seriously. While parts of the business and financial community, and governments and…
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Expertise
Practices
Environment and Regulatory Law
Sanctions, International Trade and Investment Compliance
Sectors
Qualifications
Professional
Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 1996
Admitted as solicitor, Ireland, 2018
Academic
BA (Hons), University of Birmingham, 1992
Diploma, Law, The College Of Law, York, 1993
Diploma, Legal Practice, The College Of Law, York, 1994
Pro-bono experience
- 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.
