Pinsent Masons appoints Head of Forensic Accounting

International law firm Pinsent Masons has appointed Chris Richardson to lead its Forensic Accounting Service (FAS) in a further extension of its multi-disciplinary approach to client disputes.

Richardson will join as partner from EY following 16 years of service in the fraud investigations team. He has over 20 years’ experience in professional accounting amassed across multiple jurisdictions including Canada, USA and the UK.

The new Head of FAS will enhance the corporate crime team's forensic accounting capability and bolster its traditional commercial litigation service.

Pinsent Masons was one of the first law firms to establish an in-house forensic accounting team, offering clients a multi-disciplinary approach to disputes and enabling the consideration of both liability and quantum issues from the outset.

With extensive experience in the Energy and TMT sectors, Richardson's focus will be on enhancing the forensic team's ability to deliver more holistic and innovative solutions to clients across the firm's global sectors.

Laura Cameron, Head of Risk Advisory Services, said:

"We’re seeing increasing demand for our FAS offering and I'm delighted to welcome Chris into the team. His sectoral and technological expertise, along with extensive experience and deep understanding of critical business drivers across multiple markets and industries make him an excellent fit."

Chris Richardson added:

"I am very excited to be leading and growing the Pinsent Masons’ FAS practice.  Through this enhanced multi-disciplinary delivery we’ll provide integrated solutions to our international clients who seek innovative delivery from their professional advisors in this dynamic and expanding forensic market.” 

The provision of comprehensive solutions to enable clients to better address their most pressing challenges is intrinsic throughout the firm. The Contentious Tax practice offers services led by accountants and other non-legal professionals, whilst more broadly, the firm recently acquired diversity & inclusions consultancy, Brook Graham. The firm also has a minority stake in 'New Law' start-up business Yuzu, a majority stake in cloud-based compliance venture Cerico, and has recently expanded its legal resourcing hub, Vario, into Australia.