Matthew Townsend

Partner

London

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

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

Consumer and Retail

Energy

Industrial and Manufacturing

Infrastructure and Transport

Life Sciences

Mining and Metals

Real Estate

Telecommunications, Media and Technology

Office

London

Allen & Overy LLP
One Bishops Square
London
E1 6AD

View office →

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

A large selection of multi-coloured shipping containers

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…

image of boat sailing through 2 icebergs

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.

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.

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.