Francesca Richmond

Francesca specializes in the litigation and investigation of high value commercial and regulatory enforcement matters with a focus on class actions and mass torts litigation. Her practice spans antitrust, consumer and human rights law. She is recognised by Legal 500 as a Leading Individual in Commercial Litigation and practice lead of a Firm to Watch in Competition Litigation - identifying Francesca as a recommended lawyer who is "Adept at handling regulatory investigations and group litigations".

Commercial, competition and class action litigation

• Leading defence for Barclays Bank of civil claims for damage following on from regulatory investigations on FX, including bundled claims pursued by 174 funds in the High Court and two opt out class actions in the UK.

• Defending an international technology company from mass litigation in the UK regarding forced labour and human rights infringements alleged to have occurred in its APAC supply chain.

• Defending a major UK publisher in a group action pursued by high profile claimants alleging misuse of private information obtained by unlawful means.

• Acting for sports data provider on claims regarding alleged expropriation and misuse of data across 19 jurisdictions and defence of allegation that protection of rights amounts to an abuse of dominant position.

• Defended a cryptocurrency exchange from allegations of inducement to breach contract and theft of intellectual property valued at up to USD 30 million.

• Defended L'Oréal on challenge to selective distribution agreement brought by aspirant distributor and pursuit of ancillary debt claim.

• Acting for a global automotive parts manufacturer in defending claims across the UK, Germany, Italy, Sweden and the Netherlands following on from regulatory investigations in respect of car parts.

• Defending an EU manufacturer of technical and comfort foam on claims following on from a settlement with the European Commission.

• Acting for a global electronics manufacturer on defence of claims following on from regulatory investigations in respect of microchips.

• Advised a European medical devices manufacturer on contentious competition litigation strategy and securing supply from a dominant upstream manufacturer.

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• Law Society of England and Wales
• Law Society of Ireland
• Administrative Law Bar Association

Francesca has assisted the UN High Commissioner for Refugees as intervener before the Supreme Court, in one case regarding the application of the internal flight alternative in international refugee law and another on whether, rather than seeking refuge, individuals should be obliged to feign loyalty to a political regime in order to avoid persecutory ill-treatment.

Francesca researched and helped to draft an amicus brief to the Supreme Court on behalf of the Council for Parent Attorneys and Advocates regarding the protections afforded to students suffering from disabilities while seconded to Baker McKenzie in Chicago.

• Chicago
• Sydney