Email: steasdale@pcb-byrne.com
t: 0207 842 1638
m: 07741 313230
Languages: English
An experienced Managing Partner, Sara acts for high-profile, senior individuals who find
themselves the subject of internal investigations, criminal fraud or regulatory investigations and
prosecutions.
Typically, Sara's cases involve cross-jurisdictional issues with her clients frequently being
investigated by both domestic prosecutors/regulators and their overseas counterparts.
Confidently managing large, complex cases, Sara has represented international clients being
investigated/prosecuted by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO); Financial Conduct Authority (FCA);
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA); Crown Prosecution Service (CPS);
Information Commissioners Office (ICO); US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the US Commodity Futures
Trading Commission (CFTC).
The Directories Say
Chambers and Partners
- Sara is ranked in the 2021 Chambers and Partners Directory in the category of Financial Crime –
Individuals and is described as follows: 'She is good, has strong commercial knowledge and is a very
safe pair of hands for sensitive matters'.
Legal 500
- Sara is ranked as a leading individual in the 2021 Legal 500 Fraud: White Collar Crime (Advice to
Individuals) and is described as being 'stand out; practical, smart and someone you want on your
side if the chips are down'.
Who's Who Legal
- Sara is also recommended in Who's Who Legal – Business Crime defence and is described as
'very highly regarded among peers who commend her work representing prominent individuals and
corporate clients in regulatory and criminal prosecutions'.
- Sara also appeared on The Lawyer Hot 100 list for 2020 where she was described as 'a well-established
star in the world of fraud and financial services'.
Notable Experience
- Acted in the investigation into the government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, which involved
wide-scale corruption amongst international property developers and government officials -
during which Sara was admitted to the TCI bar.
- Acted in the BAE Systems SFO corruption enquiry.
- Acted for a suspect arising out of the corporate prosecution of the Sweett Group plc.
- Acted for a corporate in the largest SFO investigation into alleged criminal cartel activity in
the pharmaceutical industry.
- Acted in a number of high-profile FSA/FCA cases, including for the former Finance Director of
the main trading arm of Cattles PLC. The case, which involved the collapse of a sub-prime
lending institution, was at the time one of the biggest regulatory market abuse cases conducted
by the FCA's Enforcement Division. Sara also acted in the parallel Financial Reporting Council
(FRC) regulatory/disciplinary proceedings.
- Acted for a number of individuals in LIBOR investigations being brought by SFO, FCA, DOJ and
CFTC.
- Acts for an individual in the SFO/DOJ Unaoil/KBR investigation.
Background
Sara trained at Pannone in Manchester, qualifying in 2000. In 2006, she joined the
London-based
specialist life sciences firm Roiter Zucker to build up their fraud and regulatory practice and took
partnership there in 2008. In 2010, Sara was approached to set up the London office of Pannone, where
she stayed until joining Byrne and Partners in 2014. Sara became the Managing Partner of Byrne and
Partners in 2018. Sara is an active member of the Fraud Lawyers Association and has been the Treasurer since 2017 and is a part of the London Chapter Leadership Team of the WWCDA (Women's White Collar Defense Association).
Contact Sara