Vivian Robinson QCVivian Robinson, Q.C. and first General Counsel to the Serious Fraud Office (“SFO”), will soon leave his post and join McGuireWoods.  Robinson is a barrister with more than 40 years of experience as a prosecution and defence advocate at the criminal bar. 

For more than 20 years at the bar, Robinson specialised in the field of white collar crime, acting both for and against the SFO.  After finalising his speaking engagements on behalf of the SFO this summer, he will join McGuireWoods as a partner in the Government, Regulatory and Criminal Investigations (“GRCI”) Practice.  He will advise clients on the impact of the UK Bribery Act, which takes effect on July 1, 2011, as well as other matters involving fraud or corruption, which is already a significant practice area within McGuireWoods. 

About his move, Robinson said: “I am delighted to have been invited to join this distinguished and long-established firm, and I look forward immensely to working with Adam Greaves and his team and with U.S. partners.  The two years I have spent at the SFO have been amongst the happiest and most fulfilling of my professional life.  I have been fortunate to have been there under the leadership of Richard Alderman, and hope that I have made some contribution to the increased respect for and success of the organisation since he became director.  It has also been a privilege to take part in bringing to the attention of a wide national and international audience the importance of the new Bribery Act, its implications, and the essential role to be played by the SFO as principal enforcer of its provisions.”

Anders Grundberg, managing partner of McGuireWoods’ London office, welcomed the announcement:  “I am delighted that Vivian is joining our team in London. His depth of experience in white collar crime and investigations, and considerable contacts within government and the private sector will broaden the firm’s expertise in this area,” Grundberg said.  “Vivian will be based in London and work closely with our International Fraud and Anticorruption Group in further developing our 50-lawyer GRCI practice in the United States, the UK and Europe involving international investigations, including under the Bribery Act 2010, the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and international antitrust investigations.”

Robinson’s arrival is especially noteworthy for McGuireWoods’ London office, as the firm has been expanding its presence there since merging with Grundberg Mocatta Rakison in 2009.  His arrival is also the latest in a series of expansions for the firm.  Earlier this year, former U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) joined the firm after serving 12 years in the U.S. Senate; and the firm opened two American offices in Houston and Austin, Texas in January. 

Image © Crown Copyright 2011