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Duncan is a Partner in the White Collar Defense and Investigations team at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft in London.
In 2024, he was listed in Global Investigations Review “40 under 40” and ranked in Legal 500 for Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Crime (advice to corporates).
He has deep experience in leading cross-border investigations involving issues in foreign jurisdictions, with market-leading experience in Brazil, Portugal and Lusophone Africa. He has also handled major matters involving Russia, China, India, Ecuador, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Greece, Romania, the Czech Republic, Canada and Japan.
Duncan speaks fluent Portuguese and spent two years in Brazil working with a Brazilian law firm where he advised corporate and individual clients in investigations stemming from Lava Jato (Operation Car Wash), including the negotiation of novel leniency agreements with Brazilian prosecuting authorities and regulatory agencies. His combination of fourteen years cross-border investigations experience, on-the-ground experience in Brazil and fluency in Portuguese is unique in the London market.
Duncan advises on financial sanctions and trade embargoes. He provides counsel on the application of UK sanctions to fund structures and transactions in various sectors, assists clients to comply with reporting obligations to the UK authorities and handles investigations into possible sanctions breaches.
Duncan represents individuals subject to internal, regulatory and criminal investigation. He has acted for clients in relation to Parliamentary Select Committee appearances.
In addition to contentious work, Duncan has extensive experience in anti-corruption compliance in an M&A context. During a secondment to a multinational client, he led the global compliance integration of newly acquired company which was purchased for US$5.1 billion. He regularly conducts pre-acquisition anti-corruption due diligence in relation to investments into foreign jurisdictions.
Duncan is a member of Cadwalader’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) taskforce and advises clients on compliance with rapidly-evolving regulatory obligations and investigations relating to these areas.
He regularly delivers presentations on bribery, corruption, ESG and effective compliance strategies, and has lectured and published on these topics in the UK and Brazil.
Directory Quotes
- “Duncan Grieve has unparalleled experience in managing simultaneous enforcement actions by multiple international regulators and achieving successful outcomes for his clients. An astute tactician, Duncan is a star.”
- “Duncan is a go-to name for complex multi-jurisdictional investigations. He is exceptionally well placed to advise on the full ambit of financial crime ranging from bribery, corruption, sanctions, money laundering, fraud as well as non-financial misconduct for clients across multiple sectors.”
- “Duncan Grieve is a stand-out partner in the investigations and corporate crime practice. He has an excellent knowledge of the law and is completely dedicated, always going the extra mile. A pleasure to work with and his ability to work across cultures is priceless as matters become ever more international.”
- “I have known and worked with Duncan for many years. He is an extremely savvy and articulate lawyer and I always enjoy working with him. He has an eye for detail but can also see the big picture. He gives considered advice - supported by the facts - which is highly valued when it comes to decision making.”
- “Hugely talented with a wise head on young, energetic shoulders. A future star without a doubt.”
Representative Matters
Governmental / Regulatory Investigations
- Led global investigation linked to the Luanda Leaks Investigation. Representing multinational consulting client in interactions with UK, U.S., Portuguese and Angolan authorities. Resulted in favourable declination in August 2024.
- First external lawyer on the ground at the commencement of a major, multijurisdictional investigation into the pharmaceutical sector. Successful negotiation of corporate resolution and dialogue with investigating authorities in the UK, U.S., Switzerland and Greece.
- Represented numerous infrastructure-sector clients in investigations stemming from Lavo Jato including the negotiation of novel corporate leniency agreements with Brazilian prosecuting authorities and regulatory agencies (MPF, CADE, CGU, TCU).
- Represented concessionaire in investigation initiated by a multilateral development bank into a significant Brazilian infrastructure project.
- Advised a leading technology company on a multi-faceted investigation involving criminal proceedings in the Czech Republic.
Internal Investigations
- Internal investigation for multinational client in the pharmaceutical sector responding to multiple whistleblowing allegations involving Germany, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia.
- Multiple representations relating to infrastructure projects in Brazil, South America and Africa including interviews, site visits and remedial actions.
- Workplace misconduct investigation for multinational, automotive-sector client involving the UK, Switzerland and Romania.
- Investigation and subsequent demerger of a technology joint venture located in Tatarstan, Russia.
- Investigation for a multinational technology company into embezzlement and corruption in Romania and Austria.
Monitorships
- Acted for DOJ-appointed independent monitor of a Brazil-headquartered international conglomerate operating in engineering, infrastructure and petrochemicals sectors.
Sanctions / Export Controls
- As the sanctions expert in the London office of Cadwalader, provides regular advice to multinational financial institutions, fund managers and lenders on sanctions compliance and the exclusion of designated persons/ entities from fund structures.
- Assisted clients with the application of UK Russian sanctions to transactions in the oil and gas sector.
- Represented a natural resources company on potential sanctions breaches in the shipping sector.
- Advised a multi-billion dollar asset management firm on the application of UK Russian sanctions to individual investors.
Anti-Bribery and Corruption Due Diligence
- During a nine-month, full-time client secondment, led the global compliance integration of newly acquired company purchased for US $5.1 billion by a NASDAQ-listed conglomerate.
- Advised on anti-corruption risks relating to an investment into a Brazilian multinational’s mining operation in Mozambique.
- Anti-corruption due diligence on a $500 million international investment into the Brazilian mining sector.
Individual Representations
- Acted for senior executive in SFO and DOJ investigation into alleged bribery in the Ecuadorian state insurance market. The investigation was dropped against client pre-charge.
- Acted for a senior executive in SFO and DOJ investigations and civil claims relating to the “Tuna Bonds” case involving multi-billion dollar infrastructure investments in Mozambique.
- Acted for individuals under potential criminal investigation by HMRC. The criminal tax investigation was dropped.
- Representation of individual clients in proceedings and interviews with the UK Financial Conduct Authority, the UK Serious Fraud Office, the London Metals Exchange, the U.S. Department of Justice, SEC, CFTC.
- Acted for General Counsel in numerous investigations including into high-profile accounting irregularities at a major retailer.
- Acted for numerous senior executives and traders during the investigation and subsequent criminal proceedings relating to LIBOR, EURIBOR, the FX market, the gold/ silver fix and the aluminium market.
- Prepared senior executives for appearances before UK Parliamentary Select Committees.
- Acted for a senior executive during the investigation and criminal proceedings relating to phone hacking at the News of the World newspaper.
- Advising on a private criminal prosecution brought against a Lebanese financial institution.
- Acted for clients in relation to the negotiation of individual leniency agreements with the Brazilian Ministério Público Federal (MPF).
