Michael Potts

Michael is a specialist in the defence of corporate financial crime and regulatory investigations and prosecutions. He has represented senior executives and other professionals in many high-profile domestic and international investigations and prosecutions conducted by the SFO, FCA, NCA and other prosecution/regulatory agencies. Michael also regularly advises and represents senior financial services personnel facing FCA/PRA and other regulator investigations and disciplinary action. He also advises and represents high-net-worth individuals facing revenue investigations and potential prosecutions. Michael has also been extensively involved in advising clients facing financial sanctions both domestically and globally with experience of sanctions regimes in a range of countries. His most recent experience includes representing high-net-worth individuals that are the subject of sanctions imposed by OFAC, OFSI and other foreign regulators, including challenging the 'designated' status of several high-profile Russian Oligarchs, and advising various Russian companies in a range of industry sectors on potential exposures arising from the evolving EU, US and UK sanctions regime. In addition, Michael advises both companies and professional firms on their anti-money laundering compliance. Michael is a Solicitor-Advocate (Higher Courts Criminal and Civil Proceedings). · PCB Byrne

EnglandCriminal Litigation, Financial CrimeEnglish, French (basic)

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About

Michael Potts is a senior partner and specialist in the defence of corporate financial crime and regulatory investigations and prosecutions, representing senior executives, financial‑services personnel and high‑net‑worth individuals in matters brought by the SFO, FCA, NCA and other regulators. He also advises on sanctions (including matters involving OFAC and OFSI), AML compliance and related exposure for companies and professional firms.

Practice areas

Criminal LitigationFinancial CrimeRegulatory InvestigationsSanctions & Export ControlsAnti-Money LaunderingFinancial Services Regulation

Office

England

PCB Byrne · Michael is a specialist in the defence of corporate financial crime and regulatory investigations and prosecutions. He has represented senior executives and other professionals in many high-profile domestic and international investigations and prosecutions conducted by the SFO, FCA, NCA and other prosecution/regulatory agencies. Michael also regularly advises and represents senior financial services personnel facing FCA/PRA and other regulator investigations and disciplinary action. He also advises and represents high-net-worth individuals facing revenue investigations and potential prosecutions. Michael has also been extensively involved in advising clients facing financial sanctions both domestically and globally with experience of sanctions regimes in a range of countries. His most recent experience includes representing high-net-worth individuals that are the subject of sanctions imposed by OFAC, OFSI and other foreign regulators, including challenging the 'designated' status of several high-profile Russian Oligarchs, and advising various Russian companies in a range of industry sectors on potential exposures arising from the evolving EU, US and UK sanctions regime. In addition, Michael advises both companies and professional firms on their anti-money laundering compliance. Michael is a Solicitor-Advocate (Higher Courts Criminal and Civil Proceedings).

England

Expertise

Defence of senior corporate executivesRepresentation of financial‑services personnelHigh‑net‑worth individualsSanctions matters and designation challenges (OFAC, OFSI, EU/UK/US)Anti‑money laundering complianceRevenue investigations

Education

Maidstone Grammar School
Lincoln College, Oxford (BA Hons Jurisprudence, 2:1)
College of Law, Chester (Legal Practice Course, Commendation)

Admissions

Solicitor (England & Wales) — qualified 1997
Solicitor‑Advocate (Higher Courts Criminal and Civil Proceedings)

Languages

EnglishFrench (basic)