Rebecca Wardle

Rebecca Wardle is a partner with experience in high-value corporate disputes and complex fraud cases, often with a cross-border element. Rebecca represents clients across multiple industries, including private equity, funds, technology and life sciences, and financial services. Rebecca has particular expertise in shareholder disputes. She has a strong surface on M&A and post-closing disputes, in addition to advising on matters of corporate governance, and has successfully defended a minority shareholder unfair prejudice petition at trial. Rebecca also has significant experience advising on investigations and litigation for financial institutions (including UK, US and EU regulatory and competition investigations) and has spent time on secondment to a global investment bank.

In addition, Rebecca has a busy pro bono practice and is responsible for the firm’s relationship with a local legal advice centre. Rebecca is also involved in driving forward the firm’s social mobility initiatives.

Prior to joining Goodwin in 2020, Rebecca was an associate at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP.

• Female Fraud Forum
• Young Fraud Lawyers Association
• Junior London Solicitor Litigation Association
• Commercial Litigators’ Forum – Associates Committee

• Legal Week Innovation Awards (2018): AI Innovation Award – Brown v BCA Trading
• Legal 500 (2021): Key Lawyer for Banking Litigation (Investment and Retail)

Rebecca’s representative disputes and investigations experience includes:

• O’Meara and others v Genius Sports UK Limited – In representing the claimants, the sellers, in proceedings concerning an earn-out dispute following the sale of a data-driven advertising business to Genius.
• Delivery Hero SE v Mastercard Asia/Pacific PTE Ltd – In representing the claimant in a dispute concerning the payment of amounts due, including a $40 million sign on bonus, following allegations of material breach of Mastercard. In July 2023, the Goodwin team succeeded in securing a summary judgment award of $40 million on behalf of Delivery Hero.
• 2150 Urban Tech Sustainability Fund I SCSp v Leko France SAS & Ors. – Acted for the applicant in obtaining injunctive relief from the English court, preventing the removal of its nominated director from the board of a company pursuant to the terms of the shareholders’ agreement.
• CityFibre Limited v GCI Network Solutions Limited – In defending proceedings against GCI regarding the interpretation and application of the terms of a network access agreement relating to fibre network infrastructure and services.
• A large franchise business – In a completion accounts dispute following the sale of a number of sites to the franchisor.
• An international PropTech business – In advising the buyer on an earn-out dispute with the sellers.
• A leading global investment bank – In defending a potential claim in relation to alleged breaches of contract, breach of duty and negligent misstatement in respect of the bank’s role in a proposed IPO.
• A healthcare fund – In advising on a potential shareholder dispute and corporate governance issues in relation to its investment in a UK based medical technology company.
• A global cybersecurity business – In advising on a dispute in relation to alleged breaches of a shareholders agreement by the founders of a company that it had acquired, and in a related put-option dispute.
• A global pharmaceutical company – In advising on potential indemnity claims against a seller pursuant to the terms of an SPA.
• A number of individual directors – In relation to criminal proceedings commenced by Companies House in relation to failure to file company accounts.
• A sustainable green investment company – Advised on the resolution of a dispute with a battery manufacturer following the administration of the main contractor.
• A private equity firm – In advising on the recovery of confidential information misappropriated by a former employee.
• A leading crypto wallet provider – In defending claims (including dishonest assistance and IP infringement) relating to a potential acquisition of another company.
• A leading crypto wallet provider – In responding to requests from the National Crime Agency and US DoJ in relation to a Suspicious Activity Report filed by the company.
• A consortium of orchestras and ensembles – Acted on a pro bono basis for the promoters of eight critically acclaimed ensembles of more than 200 freelance musicians. The promoters were in a dispute with a well-known, historical church in London, which had purported to terminate 59 contracts for hire with the promoters on the basis that they were unable to go ahead as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• A global asset manager – In pursuing multi-million pound claims against a contractor in relation to cladding defects at two properties.
• A UK fund – Advised on matters in connection to ongoing anti-bribery and corruption investigations by UK and US global enforcement agencies including the SFO.
• An international patent database – Advised on IP ownership and licensing issues in connection with a sale of the company.
• A medical implant provider – Pursued a claim on behalf of the company to recover monies that were fraudulently misappropriated by a former employee, including commencing bankruptcy proceedings against the individual in question.
• Brown v BCA Trading* – Acted for the defendant majority shareholder in successfully defending at trial a claim of unfair prejudice. The case was the first time that the English court granted an order for the use of predictive coding in disclosure on a contested application.
• Consult II SRO & Ors. v Shire Warwick Lewis Capital Limited & Ors.* – Acted for the claimants in connection with proceedings to recover sums invested in a fraudulent scheme, including successfully obtaining a freezing order and default judgment against the defendants, and advising on bankruptcy proceedings.
• Ashany & Ors. v Eco-Bat Technologies Limited* – Acted for the claimant directors in connection with the right to disclosure of company information, and successfully defended in the Court of Appeal an order overturning the default rule on discontinuance.
• A leading global investment bank* – Conducted internal, global regulatory and antitrust investigations in various jurisdictions in relation to the client’s FX sales and trading business.  Advised on policies and procedures.
• A global investment bank* – In defending a claim for a makewhole payment due under a facility agreement.
• Rolling stock leasing companies* – In advising on potential disputes in relation to manufacturing agreements, including in relation to force majeure and COVID-19 related issues.
• An overseas pension fund* – In obtaining freezing and search orders in support of US civil proceedings to recover a $40m sum.

*Denotes experience prior to joining Goodwin.