The Serious Fraud Office has appointed a new general counsel, who will act alongside director Lisa Osofsky in developing the organization’s new regime.
New GC Sara Lawson QC replaces Alun Milford, who last year left the SFO to join top boutique firm Kingsley Napley. She officially joins the SFO on May 1, 2019, and will be the SFO's first ever female GC, a spokesperson at the organization confirmed.
Lawson, who took silk in 2017, is a financial crime and regulatory law specialist, who has worked closely with the SFO in prosecuting government, criminal and regulatory cases.
Before taking silk, she acted as ‘standing counsel’ to the Insolvency Service, where she advised on policy and helped prosecute their most serious cases.
She also regularly prosecuted on behalf of the Health & Safety Executive, the Office of Rail & Road and the Environment Agency.
As the SFO’s new GC, Lawson will advise on quality control on SFO cases and preparations for trials, and help Osofsky - who took over as director from David Green in June - usher in her new regime, which will focus on money laundering and closer cooperation with corporates.
