Jeremy Birch

Jeremy represents clients in strategically significant disputes, government investigations, internal investigations and regulatory enforcement actions.  He also regularly assist multinationals in managing the compliance and conduct risk associated with operating in a complex regulatory environment across Asia Pacific.  Jeremy has particular experience in the life sciences, mining, energy, financial services and technology sectors.  He is recognised as a key lawyer in The Legal 500 for regulatory, anti-corruption and compliance.

Jeremy is qualified in Australia, New York and Hong Kong and has also held positions in the inhouse litigation teams at two global investment banks.  He has extensive experience across Asia Pacific and has worked in our market leading disputes teams in Sydney, London, Hong Kong and Perth.

Jeremy’s experience includes:

• defending a global technology company in relation to a US Department of Justice investigation and related international arbitration arising out of alleged corrupt practices taking place in South East Asia;
• acting for a global life sciences company in relation to investigations in Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam;
• defending a global professional services firm in concurrent litigation and regulatory/criminal investigations relating to conduct of business issues in Southeast Asia;
• acting for an Australian listed iron ore producer in an international arbitration commenced against an Asia based buyer under a long term supply contract;
• defending regulatory enforcement proceedings in Hong Kong against a global investment bank for alleged due diligence failings in their role on China IPOs;
• defending an Australian listed corporate against enforcement litigation, alleging systemic failures in anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing compliance;
• conducting a major internal anti-bribery and corruption review for a global listed property group in the context of a high-profile public inquiry;
• acting for the administrators of a failed mining company in relation to a shareholder class action and proceedings against the former directors;
• defending a global insurance broker in regulatory enforcement action, alleging failures in its anti-corruption systems and controls for third-party producers;
• defending a private bank and wealth manager in relation to concurrent regulatory enforcement and litigation relating to allegations of mis-selling;
• representing a global investment bank in relation to multi-jurisdictional regulatory and criminal proceedings following a multi-billion dollar fraud committed by one of its employees.

Background

Jeremy is admitted to practice in Hong Kong (2015), New York (2012) and Australia (2008). He holds bachelor's degrees in law and psychology from the University of Western Australia, a graduate diploma in banking from the University of London, a master's degree in law with distinction from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and a Wharton Business and Law Certificate from the Aresty Institute at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.