Laura Smith

Laura Smith is the Head of Corporate and Financial Crime department. She works on cases with a national and international reach. She specialises in business defence, specifically serious fraud, proceeds of crime, as well as complex serious crime, extradition proceedings and court-martial proceedings.

In the latest Legal 500 2024 Edition, Laura was highly commended for heading the corporate, financial, and serious crime department. The Legal 500 states: ‘The department is well regarded for defending individuals in prosecutions brought by the SFO, HMRC, and FCA. The team is headed up by Laura Smith, who dispenses comprehensive advice on serious and complex fraud matters.’

The Legal 500 2024 edition quotes the following testimonials:

‘Laura Smith has acquired a stalwart reputation for doggedly and tenaciously defending lay clients. She has impressed.’

‘Laura Smith is a truly fantastic solicitor. She is completely dedicated to her work, ensures that everything is prepared well in advance, that her clients feel reassured and supported throughout the proceedings and that her cases can run as smoothly as possible. She is a pleasure to work with.'

Laura was also mentioned as a 'Key Lawyer' in the 2022 Legal 500 Rankings.

Furthermore in the 2024 edition of Chambers and Partners, Laura was named as a ‘key contact for clients’ and a ‘notable practitioner,' for crime in the the North West and financial crime across the regions.

Laura Smith has represented clients facing prosecutions in Very High Costs Cases involving MTIC Fraud, Carousel Fraud, Boiler Room Fraud, Tax and VAT Fraud. Laura’s practice in complex fraud and proceeds of crime matters has allowed her to obtain extensive experience in the review and analysis of disclosed and undisclosed material. Laura is also extremely adept at undertaking financial investigations and analysis to a forensic level. She is also experienced in complex extradition work.

Laura has continued to enjoy successful results for her clients, ranging from the discontinuance of cases at very early stages of an investigation, right through to lengthy and complex crown court trials and Court of Appeal matters.