Joe is a member of the financial services regulatory team in London and plays a critical role in the firm’s global white collar defense group. Joe advises financial institution and investment management clients, including their C-suite executives, in connection with investigations and proposed enforcement action brought by the UK financial regulators. He has recent experience defending clients before the Regulatory Decisions Committee, Upper Tribunal (Tax & Chancery) and the Court of Appeal.

Joe works closely with Akin’s white collar team in the U.S. on cross-border investigations, including those pursued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). 

Joe’s recent experience also includes handling significant internal investigations (in the financial services sector and beyond), and defending firms and individuals against allegations of misconduct by recognised investment exchanges. 

In addition to his investigations work, Joe maintains a complementary advisory practice where clients are counselled on the application of the U.K. regulatory framework. This includes advising on transactional matters, including change in control applications, authorizations and approvals, regulatory change projects, and market conduct and governance.

With over a decade of experience, Joe has an in-depth understanding of how the regulators approach investigations. He has successfully helped clients manage and mitigate significant regulatory issues, often resulting in no regulatory intervention or adverse finding.

Joe is recognized as a “Leading Associate” (one of only four lawyers in this category) in Legal 500 UK’s Financial Services: Contentious in which clients note that:

• “Joe Hewton is a rising star with a tremendous work ethic.”
• “Joe Hewton excellent to work with in all ways. Super bright, calm and on top of everything.”

Joe is also distinguished in Chambers and Partners UK for Financial Services: Contentious Regulatory (individuals) in which he is ranked as an “Associate to watch”. Clients commend him for being "very hard-working," "intelligent and detail-oriented," as well as "an excellent lawyer who is experienced, knowledgeable, strategic, insightful, and responsive."

Earlier in his career, Joe trained in the London office of a leading law firm, which included secondments to an insurance company and the compliance advisory team of a global international bank.