Leeds KC named as one of England and Wales’ leading silks
July 12, 2024
A Yorkshire-based KC has been named as one of the leading silks in England and Wales.
Nick Johnson KC, a member of Exchange Chambers in Leeds, is the only KC outside London to be shortlisted for the prestigious Silk of the Year accolade at the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2024.
The Legal 500 Bar Awards seek to recognise legal excellence across England and Wales. The awards are determined on merit alone, based on Legal 500’s market-leading independent research, conducted by in-house and freelance researchers with in-depth knowledge of their practice areas. The national Silk of the Year award shortlists 8 nominees from all practice areas.
“I am delighted and honoured to be shortlisted for national Silk of the Year,” said Nick. “I’m so grateful for the support of colleagues and friends over a 30-year practice in which I have been lucky to specialise and travel, while basing my home in Yorkshire.”
Nick provides expert representation for corporates, individuals and specialist agencies in the fields of financial crime, associated regulatory work and other serious and organised crime, often with an international dimension.
He has been ranked as a Leading Silk for many years for Crime (General and Fraud), Business and Regulatory Crime in The Legal 500 and has a Tier 1 Silk ranking for Financial Crime in Chambers & Partners.
In 2024 a leading legal directory described him as “a superstar: a superb advocate who meticulously prepares his cases, and has exceptional legal knowledge. He adapts beautifully to any circumstances and always finds the perfect tone.” He is Deputy Head of Crime at Exchange Chambers.
Notable examples of Nick’s financial crime work include successfully representing a chartered accountant and a senior bank executive in one of the largest money laundering investigations in English legal history, where £266m cash was allegedly laundered through the NatWest bank and Dubai gold trades, giving rise to multiple ongoing prosecutions, including by the FCA. For over a decade he acted for a former VP Finance in UK, US and Greek investigations into alleged corporate bribery of surgeons worldwide, including working in foreign jurisdictions alongside local counsel. He also prosecutes and defends in complex homicide cases, including defending the “iceman assassin” Mark Fellows, who shot alleged north-west gangland bosses Paul Massey and John Kinsella, and defending the teenage girl who killed 7-year-old Katie Rough in York.
Congratulating Nick, Jonathan I’Anson, Chief Executive at Exchange Chambers said:
“For Nick to be shortlisted in the national Silk of the year category is a truly outstanding achievement.”
Exchange Chambers has also been shortlisted for the Set outside London accolade at the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2024.
The Legal 500 Bar Awards take place on 25 September 2024 at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge.
