About

Lorna is an experienced white collar defence and investigations lawyer, with a particular focus on matters involving fraud and financial crime and the overlap between civil and criminal procedures.

Lorna has been involved in several significant and high profile cases in these fields, working for banks, interdealer brokers, oil and gas companies and private individuals including senior executives, politicians and UHNW individuals based both in the UK and internationally.

Lorna is a Solicitor Advocate.

Professional Memberships

  • The Fraud Lawyers Association (FLA)
  • Financial Services Lawyers Association (FSLA)
  • London Solicitors Litigation Association (LSLA)
  • Women’s White Collar Defense Association (WWCDA)

Experience

  • Representing various corporates and individuals in respect of investigations by regulators including the SFO, DOJ, SRA and FCA.
  • Acting for one of the lenders involved in the “tuna bonds” litigation, concerning loans made to state-owned entities in Mozambique in excess of US$2bn which were challenged on the basis that they were procured by bribery and corruption.
  • Representing a company that was subject to raids and document seizures by the NCA under warrants including a judicial review of the validity of the warrants used.
  • Advising a range of corporates on their anti-bribery and whistleblowing policies and procedures, including advising on risk assessments, drafting policies and providing advice on implementation and training.
  • Acting for a UK corporate in relation to an SFO investigation into bribery allegations. This required a wide ranging internal investigation, review and disclosure exercise in response to a Section 2 notice, including preparing presentations and directly engaging with the SFO. The process resulted in the company having its status as a suspect removed in less than a year from the start of the investigation.
  • Acting for an international secondary private equity and co-investment fund in relation to an SFO investigation (in support of a European Investigation Order) into allegations of bribery, including an extensive review and disclosure exercise in response to a Section 2 notice.
  • Advising a range of corporates on their anti-bribery and whistleblowing policies and procedures, including advising on risk assessments, drafting policies and providing advice on implementation and training.
  • Advising in relation to a high profile investigation into alleged financial irregularities within a UK plc. Including in connection with substantial claims against wrongdoers in a number of jurisdictions, defence of a s994 petition, a number of regulatory investigations commenced by UK and overseas authorities and freezing assets in different jurisdictions and overseas arbitration proceedings.
Lorna Emson is a standout partner to me. She has grown her team and consistently developed their skill, expertise and client base. She is fantastic to work with, approachable, straightforward and a class act.

The UK Legal 500 2026

Lorna Emson is a technically brilliant lawyer.

The UK Legal 500 2026

Lorna brings her expertise in civil law and her commercial prowess and scrutiny into the criminal domain. She is highly efficient and extremely personable.

Chambers HNW 2025

Lorna's style is straightforward and pragmatic on any case you work on with her.

Chambers HNW 2025

Lorna is first class: she is super-smart, tactically astute, commercial and realistic, indefatigable and a pleasure to work with.

Chambers HNW 2024

Lorna Emson is formidable, robust, fights really hard and takes the right points.

Chambers HNW 2024

Case studies

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