Richard Hodge is an experienced white-collar crime, investigations and commercial litigation lawyer.
Mr. Hodge’s white collar practice focuses on complex multi-agency and cross-border investigations involving bribery, corruption, money laundering, fraud, tax evasion, financial sanctions, insider dealing and market manipulation. Mr. Hodge’s litigation practice involves complex commercial, financial and securities disputes.
Mr. Hodge has substantial experience managing the expectations of parties in complex multi-jurisdictional investigations. He represents companies and individuals under investigation by the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO), Financial Conduct Authority, National Crime Agency and HM Revenue & Customs, as well as their international counterparts. He also advises companies on the effectiveness of compliance policies and the application of anti-corruption, anti-money laundering and anti-tax evasion laws, including in M&A transactions.
Mr. Hodge is recommended by The Legal 500 UK with clients noting that he is “exceptionally available and responsive to all questions and issues” (2025) and “as sharp as they come, professional and hardworking, with a mastery of his cases” (2022). Chambers UK formerly ranked Mr. Hodge as an “Associate to Watch” with particular recognition for complex financial disputes, with comments from counsel including: “he’s one of the strongest associates I’ve worked with. He’s extremely sharp and perceptive.”
Among his client representations, Mr. Hodge advised Airbus SE in respect of its global investigation into allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption and its subsequent coordinated settlement with the SFO, Parquet National Financier, U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of State. Dechert’s representation of Airbus was awarded "White Collar Practice Group of the Year" by Law360, "International Litigation and Disputes Team of the Year" at the British Legal Awards, "Conduct, Enforcement or Business Crime Team of the Year" by The Lawyer, "Most Important Development of the Year" at the Global Investigations Review (GIR) Awards, and listed as a finalist for "Most Impressive Investigations Practice of the Year" at the GIR Awards (2020).
Mr. Hodge has co-authored several articles and guides on white collar crime and investigations, including in the Global Investigations Review and The Legal 500.
Prior to joining Dechert, Mr. Hodge served in the dispute resolution group of another major international law firm.
- Airbus SE in a global investigation into allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption, and subsequent coordinated settlements with the UK Serious Fraud Office, French Parquet National Financier, U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of State.
- The investment arm of a government in connection with investigations into complex corruption and financial crime matters in multiple jurisdictions.
- A Middle Eastern bank in connection with regulatory investigations into alleged market manipulation.
- A UK national facing extradition and trial in the US for alleged hacking offences.
- UK-based independent oil futures traders in connection with US government investigations and related litigation.
- Individuals in Africa and Eastern Europe in connection with U.S., UK and EU sanctions designations.
Litigation
- A UK bank in High Court proceedings involving claims of alleged misrepresentations and breach of contract concerning LIBOR.
- A UK telecommunications company in High Court proceedings brought by a sub-contractor concerning a government outsourcing contract.
- A Saudi Arabian company in relation to potential arbitration proceedings concerning a series of target redemption forwards.
- A U.S. bank in High Court proceedings concerning the validity of a mandatory conversion notice served in connection with a bond issue.
- A major European manufacturer in arbitration proceedings against a Chinese company in respect of the unauthorized use of licensed technology.
Includes matters handled at Dechert or prior to joining the firm.
- Managing a Corporate Investigation: Compliance Roundtable Event — Copenhagen, Denmark (September 26, 2018)
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- University of Cambridge, Jesus College, MA (Cantab), History, 2006
- Nottingham Law School, GDL, 2007, Distinction
- BPP Law School, LPC, 2008, Distinction
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- England and Wales