Simon Toms > Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP handles international regulatory issues and demonstrates particular strength in guiding blockchain and digital asset clients through UK and global regulatory and securities frameworks. The team is led by Simon Toms, who has deep expertise in cryptoasset regulation. Joseph Kamyar‘s capabilities span both transactions and corporate governance matters related to fintechs. Sebastian Barling joined the team from Linklaters in May 2024 to lead the firm’s UK and EU financial institutions regulatory practice.

Backed by a robust team of seasoned advisers with deep sector expertise, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP is a trusted partner to leading blue-chip companies and financial sponsors across a range of sectors, including financial services, pharmaceuticals, telecoms, and insurance. The firm is particularly distinguished for its proficiency in transatlantic transactions, excelling in cross-border M&A and US inbound deals. Practice co-head Lorenzo Corte maintains a busy practice, frequently working on cross-border M&A, contested takeovers, de-SPAC deals and governance matters. Fellow co-head Katja Butler focuses on private equity, advising clients on all aspects of their investments, from initial acquisition to exit. Simon Toms brings valuable expertise in public M&A, while Denis Klimentchenko and Sarah Knapp are both active across a wide slate of high-profile transactions. Bruce Embley has left the firm.

The fintech practice at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP works with global financial institutions, major investors, start-ups, scale-ups, and industry bodies such as regulators and non-profit organisations across the fintech industry. Frequently coordinating global matters from the London office, the team is skilled at advising on high-profile transactions including IPOs, financings, acquisitions, and high-value investments into cutting-edge fintech companies, particularly in the payments, open banking, insurtech, wealthtech, and cryptoasset sectors. The team is led by co-head of the firm’s global fintech practice Simon Toms, a veteran of global fintech transactions with clients spanning across private capital investors and leading payments businesses, alongside crypto and digital assets regulatory expertise. Sebastian Barling joined the firm from Linklaters LLP in 2024, bringing financial services regulatory experience in the payments and crypto-asset sectors. Deborah Kirk  — who joined the firm from Latham & Watkins in 2024 — brings in-depth knowledge of IP, data, and tech issues.