
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Enforcement & Investigations)
USA Guide 2026 : USA - Nationwide
Rankings

Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
About
Provided by A&O Shearman
Our financial services regulatory practice
- A "Global-U.S." financial services practice. Allen & Overy's inherent strength is our ability to advise on cross-border matters. Our FSR practice is based in New York and Washington, D.C. and is supported by U.S.-qualified lawyers in Europe and Asia. FSR issues across the world’s principal financial markets. This allows us to offer a distinctive international U.S. regulatory practice that is unmatched by our competitors.
- Full service offering. Our FSR team offers advice on a broad range of regulatory topics including: general banking compliance; broker dealer regulation; investment adviser regulation; investment company/fund regulation and 1940 Act status issues; securities regulation; banking enforcement and investigations; M&A; and on the intersection of political law and financial regulatory issues, many of which are at the heart of the financial markets, including at various levels of Dodd-Frank reform.
- Access to and experience with regulators. Our attorneys are involved in almost every regulatory initiative and debate concerning regulatory change, globally. In the U.S., our team has deeply entrenched relationships and first-hand experience dealing with U.S. regulatory agencies.
- The global perspective. One of the key ways in which we differentiate from other U.S. regulatory practices is our ability to bring a global perspective to issues through the strength of our global regulatory network.
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Work Highlights
Provided by Chambers
A&O Shearman represented Danske Bank in investigations by DOJ, the SEC, Danish and French criminal authorities, arising from its former Estonian branch, resulting in a $2 billion global settlement.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
A&O is a great firm to use for bank regulatory questions, especially those with an international component.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Enforcement & Investigations) respondentUSAThe team provide clear, practical advice and they get us results.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Enforcement & Investigations) respondentUSAA&O has great technical knowledge that is balanced with good commercial sense.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Enforcement & Investigations) respondentUSA
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Band 3 
Band 3 
Hilary Sunghee Seo
Hilary Sunghee Seo is noted for her regulatory advisory work on M&A transactions for clients in the asset management and private wealth space.
We are thankful to have such a valuable resource in Hilary.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Enforcement & Investigations) respondentUSAHilary excels at both providing legal advice and client service.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Enforcement & Investigations) respondentUSAShe is consistently delivering reliable and actionable advice.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Enforcement & Investigations) respondentUSA
Band 4 
Band 4 
Adam S Hakki
Adam Hakki is the US chair and co-chair of the global A&O Shearman board and executive committee. He has impressive experience of handling contentious matters including antitrust class actions. He is regularly involved in advising on investigations by the DOJ, SEC, CFTC and FINRA.
He has an encyclopedic knowledge of the current state of the law across all legal services.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Enforcement & Investigations) respondentUSAAdam is an extremely thoughtful and strategic legal adviser with deep experience and excellent judgment.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Enforcement & Investigations) respondentUSAAdam is exceptional. He is a great strategist and always provides excellent outcomes.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Enforcement & Investigations) respondentUSA
Band 4 
Band 4 
Katherine Stoller
Katherine Stoller is the US head of investigations and white‑collar at the firm. She leads cross‑border litigation, enforcement matters and conducts internal investigations into breaches of economic sanctions, money laundering, AML/BSA violations and financial fraud.
She is the right mix of knowing the facts but being able to keep a big-picture strategy.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Enforcement & Investigations) respondentUSAKatherine has a good view of everything and provides pragmatic advice.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Enforcement & Investigations) respondentUSA
Band 4 
Band 4 
Lena Kiely
Lena Kiely is noted for her expertise advising clients on a variety of banking compliance and regulatory matters, with proven experience on cross-border matters.
Lena is judicious and practical.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Enforcement & Investigations) respondentUSALena is a trusted adviser.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Enforcement & Investigations) respondentUSAShe draws on her in‑house experience to blend technical advice with practical implementation.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Enforcement & Investigations) respondentUSA
Ranked Individuals at A&O Shearman (4)
Members
Provided by A&O Shearman

William White

Charles Borden

Marc Ponchione

Barbara Stettner
Head of Department

Lena Kiely
View profile of Lena Kiely
Hilary Sunghee Seo
View profile of Hilary Sunghee Seo
Adam S Hakki
View profile of Adam S Hakki
Katherine Stoller
View profile of Katherine Stoller
A&O Shearman has rankings in the following guides
Band 3 Asia-Pacific 2026
Practice area: Financial Services Regulation
Location: Australia
View department profile for Asia-Pacific 2026Band 3 Europe 2026
Practice area: Financial Services Regulation
Location: Spain
View department profile for Europe 2026Band 1 France 2026
Practice area: Financial Services Regulation
Location: France
View department profile for France 2026
What success is built on
Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.