Nicola Kelly joined the international firm in 2007 and after completing her training contract joined the firm as an Associate in the Global Disputes and Investigations practice. Nicola's practice focuses on commercial litigation, regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings and international trade. Nicola has been engaged on client matters relating to civil and related criminal law proceedings before international regulators including HM Revenue and Customs and the UK Financial Services Authority and the US Department of Justice. Nicola has advised a number of clients in relation to issues arising out of UK, EU and international (including United Nations) sanctions and export controls.

Recent experience includes:

• Advising the subsidiary of a world-leading defence contractor in significant multi-jurisdictional investigations involving the US Department of Justice, the UK Serious Fraud Office and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs in relation to export control and sanctions issues which have led to significant criminal and civil proceedings
• Advising a UK-listed energy company in multi-jurisdictional investigations and potential claims arising from international bribery issues in connection with overseas oil production sharing agreements and fraud allegations
• Representing the West African arm of a major global accountancy firm, together with certain partners, in connection with requests from the Audit Committee of one of their major clients relating to a US Department of Justice investigation into FCPA and international bribery and corruption issues
• Acting for a global security and cash handling business in an investigation conducted with a financial regulator into declarations made to that regulator
• Representation of a Luxembourg securitisation vehicle issuing asset-backed securities in a dispute that was litigated in Utah and in England, in a case which gave rise to a significant judgment on parallel proceedings under Council Regulation (EC) 44/2001
• Defending a stockbroking firm against a claim made by an individual in connection with the provision by the firm of broking services
• Representing a senior executive of a global financial institution in connection with trans-Atlantic regulatory issues arising out of alleged misconduct in the trading of complex financial instruments.
• Advising UK, EU and international clients in connection with export, trade control and sanctions-related matters and investigations, including associated issues relating to bribery and corruption, money laundering and disclosures under the UK Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
• Representing a major European bank in a Commercial Court claim against an International Central Securities Depository for refusing to accept a particular security as collateral immediately prior to the insolvency of the counterparty
• Advising a UK investment company in connection with the application for a licence from OFAC to release securities subject to U.S. Cuban Asset Control Regulations, and related issues under the EU Blocking Statute
• Representing an international engineering, procurement and construction company relating to a US Department of Justice investigation into FCPA and international bribery and corruption issues

• The Law Society of England & Wales
• London Solicitors Litigation Association (LSLA)
• Young Fraud Lawyers Association

• Co-author, "Syrian Sanctions Update: The European Union Implements Council Regulation on Restrictive Measures Against Syria," Fulbright Briefing, January 27, 2012
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• Co-author, "Sanctions Update: Further Additional Sanctions On Iran," Fulbright Alert, January 25, 2012
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• Co-author, "Iran Sanctions Update: European Union Imposes Further Restrictive Measures Against Iran, With More to Follow," Fulbright Briefing, December 5, 2011
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• Co-author, "U.K. Ban on Transactions with Iranian Banks," Fulbright Briefing, November 28, 2011
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• Co-author, "EU and UK Sanctions on Libya: Latest Developments," Fulbright Briefing, June 28, 2011
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• Co-author, "Further Controls on Doing Business in the Middle East: New EU Sanctions on Syria," Fulbright Alert, May 16, 2011
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• Co-author, "Executives Jailed in UK Serious Fraud Office Crackdown on Breaches of Economic Sanctions," Fulbright Briefing, March 10, 2011
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• Co-author, "Companies and Individuals Face New Sanctions on Libya," Fulbright Briefing, March 8, 2011
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• Co-author, "Iran Sanctions Update: The European Union Implements Council Regulation On Restrictive Measures Against Iran," Fulbright Briefing, November 1, 2010
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• Co-author, "The European Union Adopts Additional Iran Sanctions," Fulbright Briefing, August 25, 2010
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• Co-author, "Corporate Governance At-A-Glance," The International Law Firm of Fulbright & Jaworski - Corporate Governance, February 6, 2009

2007 - Legal Practice Course, with distinction, College of Law, London
2006 - L.L.B., University College, London

• Law Society of England and Wales