FRA Named Among GIR 100 Investigations Consultancies, 2023

We are delighted to share that FRA has once again secured its place in the Global Investigation Review's (GIR) esteemed annual guide, GIR 100. This marks our eighth consecutive year on the shortlist of the "best firms to turn to in the lifecycle of an international investigation." Our inclusion in GIR's select group of investigations consultancies to feature alongside the 100 law firms since 2016 underscores our unwavering dedication to excellence.  

^{“Name almost any international bribery investigation in the past decade and FRA has had a role in it” – GIR, 2023}

This news follows the honor of FRA’s double win at the GIR Awards 2023:Investigations Consultancy of the Year for the fourth time (2016, 2017, 2020, and 2023), and the Most Important Development of the Year for our role in the ABB settlement.

Headline engagements  

^{“FRA has been on an impressive run of form of late.” – GIR, 2023}

Summing up their research on FRA’s track record this year, GIR noted FRA’s support of Switzerland-based ABB in reaching a $327 million bribery resolution with authorities in the United States, Switzerland and South Africa in December, “the first and is the only corporate criminal resolution in South Africa”.

Other recent accomplishments included FRA’s work on Technip FMC’s €208 million settlement following a French investigation into alleged bribery in Ghana and Equatorial Guinea.  

Co-founding Partner Frances McLeod’s second DOJ-appointed monitorship of UK-based construction group Balfour Beatty further solidifies our standing in this unique space, following her certification of IAV GmbH in 2022. GIR noted that Frances “is among a select few who have been appointed for not one but two DOJ-imposed compliance monitorships”. In Washington DC, Partner Stacy Fresch, a former SEC assistant chief accountant, has also served as an independent co-monitor for a PCAOB enforcement action.

GIR also listed other major FRA clients in recent years: Airbus, Swedbank, Petrofac, Rolls Royce and more.

Global experts power growth and expansion

A number of leading individuals were also highlighted by GIR across our 12 global locations. In total, 15 FRA professionals were recognised this year by Who’s Who Legal in various expert categories. This includes two Co-founders – Toby Duthie (London) and Frances McLeod (Washington DC) at the level of Thought Leaders in Investigations.  

Senior hires and movements this year included FRA Partner Simon Taylor transferring from London to Dubai to head FRA’s Middle East office, and the hire of former FBI agent Meredith Fitzpatrick as director of cryptocurrency investigations and compliance.  

Elsewhere, our teams continue to thrive under the regional and subject matter expertise of Partners such as Yousr Khalil (Paris), Gerben Schreurs (Zurich), Charlie Steele (DC), Roy Pollitt (New York) and Hea-Sil Chang (Seoul) – all mentioned in GIR’s highlights.