25 years of experience advising on U.K. financial services regulatory matters, with a particular focus on regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings.
Former Head of Enforcement at the Financial Services Authority (FSA), with an excellent knowledge of the U.K. regulatory system.
Recognized in Band 1 for Financial Services: Contentious Regulatory by Chambers UK, which notes she is appreciated by clients for having “a tremendous amount of insight and expertise” and for being “straight-talking” and able to “cut through the issues so easily.”
Recognized for Financial Services: Contentious in The Legal 500 UK’s Hall of Fame and praised by one client as 'tough, strategic but charming'.

Helen advises clients on U.K. financial regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings and on their dealings with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA). She provides assistance to her clients in a number of areas, including:

FCA and PRA compliance issues.
Authorizations and approvals.
Information requests.
FCA thematic reviews.
FCA investigations and enforcement.
Regulatory Decisions Committee hearings.
Upper Tribunal hearings.

Helen helps clients to implement effective strategies to meet regulatory requirements and anticipate future obligations. She also assists clients in forging a positive and cooperative relationship with the relevant regulator to ensure they are well-positioned to engage with the FCA and/or the PRA.

During her nine-year tenure at the FSA, where she was Head of Enforcement Law and Policy and Head of Forensic Investigation, Helen had particular responsibility for investigations in the fund management and broking sector, and was responsible for a number of major disciplinary cases brought against financial institutions and individuals.

Helen is ranked as a leading lawyer by both Chambers UK and The Legal 500 UK in which clients note that she “is the doyenne of contentious financial services: knowledge and understanding built on decades working with and for the regulator, tough, strategic but charming.”

"Helen Marshall leads a very experienced and impressive team, based on deep familiarity with the regulatory framework. Punchy and will fight your corner."

Legal 500 UK, 2023

Education
L.P.C., Manchester Polytechnic, 1985
B.A., University of Leicester, 1983

Bar Admissions
Ireland
Solicitor, England and Wales

Recognitions

Chambers UK, Financial Services: Contentious Regulatory, 2017-2025.
The Legal 500 UK, Hall of Fame: Financial Services: Contentious, 2023-2025.
Euromoney, Expert Guide: Women in Business Law, Financial Services Regulatory, 2022.
IFLR1000, Women Leaders, UK, 2022.
IFLR 1000 UK, Financial Services Regulatory: Contentious.
Best Lawyers UK, Financial Services.
Legal Experts, Financial Services.
Euromoney Legal Media Group, Europe Women in Business Law Awards: Best in Financial Regulation.
International Bar Association, Annual IBA Pro Bono Award Shortlist, 2021.
Euromoney, Expert Guide: Women in Business Law, Leading Practitioner: Financial Regulatory, UK, 2020 and 2021.
Euromoney, Expert Guide: Women in Business Law, Leading Practitioner: Banking & Finance, UK, 2019.
Benchmark Litigation, Europe, Banking and Financial Services, Commercial and Transactions and White Collar Crime.
Global Investigations Review, Top 100 Women in Investigations, 2015.

Affiliations and Public Service

Appointed a Board Trustee of the UK human rights charity Reprieve in October 2023
Established and led a pro bono team in the London office, working alongside Reprieve and Malawian lawyers on death penalty work in Malawi (2017 to 2023)
Independent member of the City of London Police Committee between 2009 and 2017, handling strategic oversight of the City of London Police force.

Speeches and Publications