Department profile
Baker McKenzie

Sanctions

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide

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Baker McKenzie

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About

Provided by Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie's International Trade Group has an extensive network of sanctions lawyers around the world, with a centre of UK, EU and US sanctions expertise based in London. The firm has a dedicated full service trade team in London stretching back to 1995 covering the full suite of sanctions, export controls, foreign investment, customs, anti-dumping/trade remedies, WTO (including as advisor to the UK Government, e.g. on the steel tariff dispute with the US/ US and UK finally sit down on steel tariffs). Understanding the trade needs of the UK corporate community is not a new phenomenon for the team. They are known for standing out as the market-leaders in this area for good reason: 

  • In-depth UK-based expertise in complex trade matters, covering UK, EU and US sanctions
  • A large team with bandwidth able to cover this without having to pull in lawyers from other teams without the expertise.
  • An unmatched international network well equipped to take a coordinated global approach to a wide spectrum of cutting-edge trade matters through the extensive global network of offices.
  • Well-informed and connected, liaising very closely with numerous Trade authorities and associations across Europe and the US.
  • A cross sector of industry experience for the world's leading corporates offering a breadth of industry experience covering energy, aerospace and defence, chemicals and petrochemicals, banking, insurance, IT and telecoms, consumer goods, clothing and pharmaceutical.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Sanctions - UK-wide

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Baker McKenzie is home to one of the premier sanctions and international trade teams in London. The UK-based group is supported by teams in the firm's global network of offices, which means the firm can support clients on sanctions regimes around the world. Its client base includes FTSE 100 and Fortune 100 corporates, and it continues to support these clients on Russia sanctions.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Baker McKenzie's team is unrivalled.

    Sanctions respondentUK

  • Baker McKenzie's ability to coordinate holistic advice across key jurisdictions through a single, long-established team is a significant differentiator.

    Sanctions respondentUK

  • Baker McKenzie have an ability to get inside a company and carry out an in-depth, complex review of the work to understand the multifaceted challenges.

    Sanctions respondentUK

  • Baker McKenzie combine excellent knowledge of sanctions laws and enforcement precedents with great commercial acumen.

    Sanctions respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Sunny Mann
    Sunny Mann

    Sunny Mann

    Sunny Mann is global chair of Baker McKenzie's international trade team. His client list includes household-name multinationals, who seek him out for his sanctions and export control expertise.

    • Sunny demonstrates technical brilliance with deep pragmatism and commercial awareness.

      Sanctions respondentUK

    • Sunny has provided invaluable service on a number of matters across a broad landscape.

      Sanctions respondentUK

    • Sunny is dedicated to his clients and places great value on maintaining good relationships.

      Sanctions respondentUK
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  • Tristan Grimmer
    Tristan Grimmer

    Tristan Grimmer

    Tristan Grimmer is head of Baker McKenzie's international trade practice group. He advises large, well-known companies on sanctions compliance as well as on their handling of potential sanctions breaches.

    • Tristan is commercial and practical in the advice that he gives.

      Sanctions respondentUK

    • Tristan understands our business and is a trusted adviser on complex high-risk matters.

      Sanctions respondentUK
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  • Ben Smith
    Ben Smith

    Ben Smith

    Ben Smith advises a broad range of clients on compliance and export control issues. His clients include major companies in tech and energy sectors.

    • Ben is a great counsel. He's very knowledgeable, practical and extremely responsive.

      Sanctions respondentUK

    • He is responsive and brings an in-depth knowledge of trade controls and sanctions to the table.

      Sanctions respondentUK

    • Ben understands our industry and business very well. His advice is always well balanced and demonstrates a sound appreciation of our operational risks.

      Sanctions respondentUK

    • Ben is very knowledgeable, polished and reliable. I greatly appreciate his steady demeanour.

      Sanctions respondentUK

    • Ben Smith is a very knowledgeable partner with experience in industry as well as private practice. He is friendly and approachable, and commercially minded in providing advice.

      Sanctions respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at Baker McKenzie (3)

UK-wide

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Provided by Baker McKenzie

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