Herbert Smith Freehills continues to expand its global Financial Services Regulatory practice with the hire of Kelesi Blundell

Leading law firm Herbert Smith Freehills has hired Kelesi Blundell as a partner in its global Corporate and Financial Services Regulatory (FSR) practices based in the firm's London office. 

Kelesi joins from Allen & Overy where she was a senior associate in the financial services regulation practice. She has experience across a wide range of work advising retail banks, investment banks and other wholesale sector clients on areas such as MiFID II, custody and client money, digital assets, Brexit, market infrastructure regulation, bank recovery and resolution and corporate support. 

Recognised as a Rising Star in Legal 500 2022, Kelesi was noted for "building a broad, well-respected practice which includes advising on recovery and resolution planning and Brexit-related issues."

Kelesi will work with the firm's market leading FSR team across its international network and particularly with partner Clive Cunningham, who heads the advisory (non-contentious) FSR team in London, and FSR partner Marina Reason, who joined the firm last year. 

Clive Cunningham comments: 

"Kelesi's broad experience augments our capabilities as a global FSR practice and our ability to provide strategic, insightful risk and regulatory advice to our clients. In particular, her experience advising many top-tier investment banks will add greater breadth and depth to our market-leading client offering. We are delighted to welcome Kelesi to the firm."