Russell Cooke Bedford Row Holborn

About Emily

I’m a firm believer in a no stone unturned approach to cases to ensure the best possible outcome for my clients, given the high stakes and my quest to achieve justice, is paramount.

Emily joined Russell-Cooke in July 2022 after qualifying as a solicitor at her previous firm in 2021.

Emily has a varied case load specialising in financial crime on multi-jurisdictional matters with her clients involving high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals as well as large corporate organisations.

In addition to account freezing orders, investigations and fraud, she also works on cases involving cryptoassets.

Emily has defended investigations and prosecutions brought by the Financial Conduct Authority, HM Revenue and Customs and the National Crime Agency. She also specialises in prosecuting individuals/corporations through private prosecutions and advising clients on non-contentious regulatory matters in the financial crime space.

Emily has received recognition in the Legal 500 2024 UK Guide and the Legal 500 2025 UK Guide in the category of ‘Fraud: White Collar Crime (Advice to Individuals).’

Emily Russell is talented beyond her years and relentless in pursuit of her client's interests. A pleasure to work with.
The Legal 500 (2025)

Notable cases

  • Instructed by a multi-million turnover real estate investment company headquartered in Switzerland to provide advice in the UK and BVI following association with a high-value Ponzi scheme investigated / prosecuted in Southern Africa
  • Instructed by an international Group Human Resources and Administration Manager defrauded of almost $200,000 following investment in a Citizenship by Investment Scheme in the Caribbean
  • Instructed by a high-net worth individual following the seizure of £26.8 million of counterfeit luxury fashion items by Trading Standards
  • Instructed by a former medical professional and Belarussian national to provide advice on sanctions regime in Belarus and Financial Transactions in the UK
  • Instructed by an ultra-high net worth individual involved in the senior management of a leading distributer and wholesaler in the UAE, alleged to have contravened US sanctions imposed against a country in the Middle East, and prohibitions on currency circulation globally, to Appeal a large cash forfeiture order following a successful Application by HMRC
  • Account Freezing Orders (“AFOs”) granted against the founder of a Fintech company’s bank accounts. Lodging an application for leave to judicially review the AFOs on a nuanced point which could be precedent making
  • Instructed by a corporate entity, a funeral plan provider, to apply to discharge an AFO imposed against funds contained within a bank account with the director having links to a historical high-profile Serious Fraud Office case
  • Instructed by directors of companies involved in brokering international property development deals in the Far East and Pakistan being investigated under Section 447 of the Companies Act 1985 by a City law firm on behalf of the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
  • Instructed on behalf of a former CEO of a luxury yacht company in Europe in relation to alleged financial crimes being investigated on behalf of cross-border authorities in conjunction with the UK police at the behest of the Home Office
  • Instructed by a professional in financial services who is the subject of a worldwide freezing order and a cross-border police investigation in relation to the allegation of fraud by abuse of position following their admission in the parallel civil proceedings to misappropriating a substantial sum from a US based entertainment company
  • Represented a cryptocurrency exchange being investigated by international authorities for alleged financial crime offences
  • Instructed on behalf of an Australian fund focused on investment in the mining sector to provide anti-money laundering/terrorism advice
  • Instructed on behalf of a high value art dealer to provide NFT advice (in the UK and US) in relation to Banksy art work
  • Successful completion of an investigation exonerating the relative of a Jordanian billionaire and the third-youngest billionaire in the Middle East of any wrongdoing in relation to criminal allegations following a misreporting by a tabloid newspaper
  • Instructed by an ultra-high-net-worth family resident in China following allegations of money laundering in the UK
Emily Russell – A very important member of the team. Emily is adept at handling a wide range of financial crime issues for her clients.
The Legal 500 (2025)

Memberships

  • Member of Young Fraud Lawyers Association
  • Member of Female Fraud Forum (FFF)
  • Member of Women in Criminal Law (WICL)
  • Member of Women in the Law UK
  • Member of the London Young Lawyers Group
  • Recognised as a solicitor in England and Wales 

Awards and accreditations

Emily's highlights

News

16.12.2024

National Crime Agency disrupts million-billion Russian money laundering networks resulting in 84 arrests

Partner Frances Murray and associate Emily Russell have co-written an article on the National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation which has uncovered a Russian...
Frances Murrey, Partner in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, crime and financial team. Emily Russell, Associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, criminal and financial crime team.
Multiple Authors
3 min Read
Frances Murray, Emily Russell
News

02.12.2024

‘Failure to prevent fraud’—statutory guidance

On 6 November 2024, the Home Office published the much awaited ‘failure to prevent fraud’ ('FTPF') offence guidance. In this article, associate Emily Russell...
Edward Griffin, Legal assistant in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, criminal and financial crime team. Emily Russell, Associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, criminal and financial crime team.
Multiple Authors
5 min Read
Edward Griffin, Emily Russell
News

07.08.2024

Banker’s wife forfeits £14 million Knightsbridge home and Ascot golf club following National Crime Agency investigation

Partner Frances Murray and associate Emily Russell report on a court order on 1 August 2024, requiring Zamira Hajiyeva to forfeit significant assets follow...
Frances Murrey, Partner in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, crime and financial team. Emily Russell, Associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, criminal and financial crime team.
Multiple Authors
3 min Read
Frances Murray, Emily Russell
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