Dechert LLP announced today that Matthew Cowie has joined the firm’s white collar team as a partner in London. Cowie was most recently at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP.

“We are thrilled that Matthew has joined our team. I have followed his progress for at least 10 years both as a prosecutor and in private practice. Significant white collar experience is hard to find these days. He joins a strong practice and will help us achieve even greater things,” said Neil Gerrard, global deputy co-chair of the firm’s litigation practice.

Cowie is ranked by Chambers UK for Financial Crime: Corporates (London) with the publication noting his “excellent knowledge of the regulatory agencies." In addition, he is described as “a particularly strong asset” in The UK Legal 500 2015, where he is listed as a leading individual for Corporate Crime, including fraud, bribery, and corruption. He is also recommended in Who’s Who Legal 2015.

“I am delighted to join Dechert's London white collar team. I have joined a thriving practice in an outstanding global firm," Cowie said.

His previous experience includes working for 11 years as a prosecutor in the Serious Fraud Office between 1999 and 2010 where, as part the anti-corruption domain, he led the U.K.'s first significant investigations and prosecutions of overseas corruption and other corporate offending. During his tenure with the Office, Cowie was seconded to the United Nations Procurement Task Force where he investigated fraud, corruption, and mismanagement issues within the United Nations system.

Dechert’s London-based white collar and securities group is ranked Band 1 by Chambers UK 2016 in Financial Crime Corporate with the directory citing one client saying, "Dechert’s responsiveness is outstanding: I don’t recall waiting more than an hour or two for a reply, even during off hours, and the advice is pragmatic and commercial." In addition, Gerrard is also ranked in Band 1 in this category, with observers noting that he has “great strategic insight - having been on the side of law enforcement in the past, he is able to bring the prosecutorial perspective to matters.” Dechert is also ranked for Legal 500 in London: Crime, Fraud and Licensing: Corporate Crime (including Fraud, Bribery and Corruption) and London: Crime, Fraud and Licensing: Fraud: White-Collar Crime. Gerrard and David Hughes are also listed as Leading Individuals.