People
Aaron Stephens is an English and US qualified partner in the Special Matters and Government Investigations practice, twice named by Law360 as “White Collar Practice Group of the Year.” He specializes in representing financial institutions, corporate clients and senior individuals in highly sensitive litigation and investigations.
Aaron has advised clients on diverse matters across Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa in the banking/financial services, energy, defence, construction & engineering and retail industries. He has a particular focus on anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, market abuse and fraud, and with commentators saying that "he understands complex matters and finds practical solutions ... he is brilliant, a responsive and reassuring person to have on your side." (Chambers UK 2020), and is "very easy to communicate with and finds solutions to complex problems" (Chambers UK 2022).
Aaron has carried out regulatory and white collar investigations and/or defended clients in relation to the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Serious Fraud Office (SFO), National Crime Agency (NCA), Takeover Panel and Lloyd’s of London, as well as in matters involving the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He also engages in civil litigation in the English courts, and advises a wide range of corporate clients on risk management and compliance issues.
Aaron is a Top Ranked Lawyer in Chambers UK 2022 in Financial Crime: Corporates and recognized in Legal 500 2021 for his work on corporate and financial services investigations ("the epitome of a trusted adviser"). Chambers UK notes that sources observe that "he is an incredible professional," adding that "he's a very steady hand and very comforting to clients; he's unflappable." In addition, Global Investigations Review has described him as an “excellent lawyer who is credited by sources for his work developing [his] practice into a formidable offering.”
Prior to joining King & Spalding, Aaron was the Head of Corporate Crime and Investigations at the London headquarters of an international law firm.
J.D., Case Western Reserve University School of Law
B.A., Indiana University
California
England and Wales
American Bar Association
Law Society of England & Wales (Admitted 5/15/2003; Reg. # 382567)
Member of the Council of JUSTICE
Member of the Financial Services Consultation Board for Practical Law/Thomson Reuters
Vice Chair of the Business Crime Committee of the International Bar Association
French
October 2, 2024
Legal 500 UK 2025 Recognizes King & Spalding Among Leading UK Law Firms
April 10, 2024
Keyloop to Acquire Automotive Transformation Group
October 19, 2023
King & Spalding Earns Multiple Rankings in Chambers UK 2024 Guide
Part of cross-office team advising a global financial institution in U.S. federal antitrust and English High Court litigation alleging that foreign currency dealers conspired to manipulate the benchmark WM/Reuters currency exchange rate and FX spreads.
Advising a global business in the context of an ongoing investigation by the World Bank.
Representing a global financial institution in connection with English litigation seeking damages and tracing remedies arising from the 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.
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October 10, 2024
FCA Fines Starling Bank Over Financial Sanctions Screening Failures
September 26, 2024
UK Launches New Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation for Civil Enforcement of Trade Sanctions
January 24, 2024
General Counsel’s Decision Tree for Internal Investigations for the Energy Industry
October 2, 2024
Legal 500 UK 2025 Recognizes King & Spalding Among Leading UK Law Firms
April 10, 2024
Keyloop to Acquire Automotive Transformation Group
October 19, 2023
King & Spalding Earns Multiple Rankings in Chambers UK 2024 Guide
Part of cross-office team advising a global financial institution in U.S. federal antitrust and English High Court litigation alleging that foreign currency dealers conspired to manipulate the benchmark WM/Reuters currency exchange rate and FX spreads.
Advising a global business in the context of an ongoing investigation by the World Bank.
Representing a global financial institution in connection with English litigation seeking damages and tracing remedies arising from the 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.
See more
October 10, 2024
FCA Fines Starling Bank Over Financial Sanctions Screening Failures
September 26, 2024
UK Launches New Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation for Civil Enforcement of Trade Sanctions
January 24, 2024
General Counsel’s Decision Tree for Internal Investigations for the Energy Industry
October 2, 2024
Legal 500 UK 2025 Recognizes King & Spalding Among Leading UK Law Firms
April 10, 2024
Keyloop to Acquire Automotive Transformation Group
October 19, 2023
King & Spalding Earns Multiple Rankings in Chambers UK 2024 Guide
J.D., Case Western Reserve University School of Law
B.A., Indiana University
California
England and Wales
American Bar Association
Law Society of England & Wales (Admitted 5/15/2003; Reg. # 382567)
Member of the Council of JUSTICE
Member of the Financial Services Consultation Board for Practical Law/Thomson Reuters
Vice Chair of the Business Crime Committee of the International Bar Association
French