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
Bribery and Corruption Investigations
Environmental, Climate and Regulatory Law
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
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: 07 APRIL 2021
A&O hosts webinar on International trade in the 2020s: What next for London, Beijing and Brussels?
On Tuesday 30 March 2021, Allen & Overy partner and co-head of the International Trade and Regulatory Law Group, Matthew Townsend chaired a panel on “International trade in the 2020s: What next for…
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Publications: 02 APRIL 2021
A&O to host a virtual conference on the global transition to a sustainable economy
The transition of the economy to align with the Paris Agreement aims and the UN Sustainable Development Goals is set to dominate the next decade.
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Publications: 01 APRIL 2021
Developments in sanctions targeting Myanmar
Following the military coup in Myanmar on February 1, 2021, the U.S., UK and EU have imposed a range of sanctions targeting individuals and entities affiliated with the Burmese military.
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News: 25 MARCH 2021
A&O awarded ESG deal of the year for first blue bond in Asia
Allen & Overy has been awarded ‘ESG Deal of the Year’ at the IFLR Asia-Pacific Awards 2021 for their work on the first blue bond issued in Asia.
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Expertise
Practices
Bribery and Corruption Investigations
Environmental, Climate and Regulatory Law
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
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.