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Matthew Townsend

Partner

Email

matthew.townsend@aoshearman.com

Phone

+44 20 3088 3174

Offices

London

V-CARD
Matt is Co-Head of Environmental and Climate Law Group, Co-Head of International Trade Group and one of the founders of the firm's Global ESG Group.

Matt advises on a wide range of regulatory and compliance matters including sustainability and ESG; climate transition programmes; decarbonisation; environmental risk management; product compliance and safety; carbon pricing/trading; corporate reporting and disclosure; governance and risk management; international trade law; sanctions and export controls. He has worked extensively with clients to develop compliance programmes across a broad range of regulatory and risk areas.

Matt has practised in environmental and climate law for almost 30 years and has been recognised as a leading practitioner in his field for many years. He is a regular commentator on new and emerging developments. 

Matt works with major international clients across jurisdictions and in multiple sectors including financial services, energy, industrials, chemicals, technology and many more. 

He is widely recognised as one of Europe’s leading regulatory compliance lawyers.

Expertise

Industries

Experience

Representative matters

  • A range of clients (financial institutions, corporates and industry bodies) on operational risk assessments in respect of sustainability compliance and the development of associated compliance reviews and programmes. He regularly advises clients on sustainability considerations in respect of strategic-level transactions (such as project financing, M&A and capital markets) and issues (such as TCFD reporting; directors’ duties; carbon pricing mechanisms and greenwashing). 
  • On environmental, health and safety and climate regulatory matters across a broad range of corporate and real estate transactions, projects and finance-related matters. He has advised extensively on issues arising from climate change, carbon trading, circular economy programmes, supply chain risk management, renewable power, energy and infrastructure projects, the transfrontier shipment of hazardous products, international conventions on pollution, safety and sustainability. He also advises on contentious environmental and climate matters, including indemnity/warranty claims and enforcement action by regulators.
  • On export control and sanctions issues in the context of debt and equity raisings, M&A transactions, joint ventures and listings and has worked closely with a range of corporates and financial institutions on sanctions risk management and the development of internal sanctions compliance programmes. 
  • Matt specialises in a range of trade and regulatory matters including economic and trade sanctions and export controls, WTO rules, tariffs, free trade agreements, and customs controls. He has worked closely with a wide range of corporates and financial institutions on trade restrictions and foreign direct investment regimes. He also advises on wider related compliance matters such as anti-bribery and corruption (ABAC) and anti-money laundering (AML).
  • He is a member of the FLMC’s ESG Working Group, the City of London Law Society’s environmental working group and UKELA, a member of an Advisory Board to the EBRD on ESG guidelines for companies in the CEE region, advising Editor of Environmental Liability journal and a member of the Executive Committee of the Legal Sustainability Alliance.

Pro bono

  • Ambassador for Hope and Homes for Children.
  • Executive member of the Legal Sector Alliance.

Published Work

  • Co-editor: "REACH - Best Practice Guide to Regulation 1907/2006" (Hart/Beck)
  • Contributor: "Project Finance" by G. Vinter (Sweet & Maxwell)
  • Contributor: "EPC Contracts and Major Projects" by N. Pritchard (Sweet & Maxwell)
  • Matt is a regular speaker and commentator on business compliance issues.

Speaking Engagements

  • The global transition to a sustainable economy, 2021. 
  • City & Financial ESG roundtables 2021. 
  • City & Financial Natural Capital Summit 2021. 
  • A&O webinars on the European Green Deal and Fit For 55 programme.
  • A&O webinars on international trade including sanctions.

Recognition

“Matthew is very thorough, technical and able to communicate sometimes very complex issues well. His long-standing expertise helps to put new legislation into context, explaining what it means on an implementation level and what the liabilities are”
Chambers Europe 2024 (Environment)
“He is innovative and pushes boundaries in his work”
Chambers UK 2024 (Environment)

Awards

  • Band One
    Chambers UK 2024 (Environment and Climate Change)
  • Hall of Fame
    Legal 500 UK 2024 (Environment)
  • Lawyer of the Year (Environment and Climate)
    Who's Who Legal Awards 2023

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 1996

Academic

BA (Hons), University of Birmingham, 1992

Diploma, Law, The College Of Law, York, 1993

Diploma, Legal Practice, The College Of Law, York, 1994 

Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.