Overview
Natalia Gofman practices in international arbitration and all areas of commercial litigation, involving both domestic and international elements, with a particular focus on civil fraud, asset tracing and recovery, enforcement actions, and international banking and finance.
Natalia has extensive experience in complex, high-value and cross-border commercial disputes, working closely with foreign lawyers and counsel from a wide-range of jurisdictions in respect of enforcement proceedings, particularly on matters involving Eastern Europe and CIS countries.
Natalia worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service and the City of London Police in a complex criminal fraud case. She is currently advising a Russian bank on a matter that was recognized by The Lawyer as one of the "Top 20 Cases of 2017."
Natalia is consistently recognized by Legal 500 UK for her work in civil fraud and international arbitration. Legal 500 UK 2023 describes Natalia as having "exceptional attention to detail", an "impeccable work ethic" and "a partner-level approach to solving issues."
- Solicitor, England & Wales
- L.P.C., The College of Law
- LL.B., Anglia Ruskin University
Representative Matters
- In June 2021, obtained an award in LCIA arbitration proceedings for a Russian State-owned bank which had been defrauded in a US$600 million transaction in August 2017 involving companies controlled by the Mints family.
-
Currently acting for a UK financial institution in a multi-million claim brought in the English High Court against a UK investment fund, arising from the fraudulent acts of a former employee of the investment fund.
-
Acted for National Trust Bank in a US$900 million claim against former directors and majority owners of the bank who participated in a dishonest conspiracy and misappropriated millions of dollars from the Bank through a complex network of offshore companies. The Court upheld the Bank's claim and found the principal defendants to have orchestrated a scheme involving concealment of bad debts, related-party lending, and falsification of the bank's accounts (one of The Lawyer's 'Top 20' cases).
-
Acted for Otkritie bank that was the victim of a US$150 million securities fraud perpetrated by its former employees, involving members of their families and multiple offshore vehicles in laundering of the fraud proceeds. This included assisting the Bank in enforcement proceedings in Spain, Israel, Latvia, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Georgia, following judgment in the English High Court.
-
Advised a high-net-worth individual in relation to lifting a multi-million freezing order and contempt of court proceedings.
-
Acted for a UK financial institution in contempt proceedings against a number of individuals who were found in breach of a freezing order.
News & Publications
Press Releases
Steptoe Receives Seven Practice Rankings, Seven Individual Awards in The Legal 500 UK 2024
October 4, 2023
Media Mentions
February 22, 2022
Media Mentions
Global Arbitration Review Covers Steptoe's Success for National Bank Trust and Otkritie
December 23, 2021
Media Mentions
The Lawyer Names Steptoe's Representation of Pipia as a 'Case to Watch in 2021'
February 17, 2021
Press Releases
Legal Week, The Lawyer Shortlist Steptoe for Litigation Team of the Year Awards
September 25, 2020
Press Releases
The Lawyer Names Steptoe’s Russian Bank Litigation a ‘Top 20 Case of 2017’
January 25, 2017
Noteworthy
- Legal 500 UK, "Rising Star," Commercial Litigation (2024)
- Legal 500 UK, Fraud: Civil (2021)
Professional Affiliations
- London Solicitors Litigation Association (LSLA)
- Young Fraud Lawyers Association
- LCIA Young International Arbitration Group