Überblick
William (Will) Merry focuses his practice on a range of domestic and international corporate crime and investigations-related matters. He has experience in resolving anti-bribery and corruption, anti-money laundering, fraud, blackmail and sanctions matters in both contentious and non-contentious contexts. This includes the conduct of high profile civil and criminal litigation issued against corporates and individuals alike.
Will has significant experience advising companies with regard to the impact of the recent Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, including the conduct of bespoke risk assessments, the uplift of policies and procedures, and delivering training at all levels of client businesses.
Prior to joining McDermott, Will trained and qualified into the corporate crime and investigations team at an international law firm, during which time he spent periods on secondment to two large financial institutions. William has worked with a spectrum of clients in a range of sectors, including high profile individuals, corporates and government bodies. He also has a busy pro bono practice, helping charities in a range of areas including medical research, overseas aid, mental health and access to justice.
In 2025, Will was awarded ‘Associate of the Year’ at the Lawyer Awards 2025, with the judging panel noting that he was “operating beyond his years of qualification”.
Referenzmandate
- Advising an Italian multinational contractor on its successful defence in major High Court litigation relating to the sanctions position of one of the world’s largest fertilizer companies. This matter was named as one of The Lawyer’s top 20 cases for 2025
- Advised Entain plc on a high-profile criminal investigation administered by HMRC, as well as the resulting deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the Crown Prosecution Service in 2023. This DPA was the first of its kind in many respects, and McDermott continues to advise Entain with regards to issues arising out of it
- Represented a range of corporates and company directors with regards to prosecutions instituted by Companies House
- Conducted internal investigations for several major listed multinational companies with regards to issues concerning potential bribery, fraud and money laundering
- Defended an individual in respect of civil litigation and related freezing injunctions related to serious allegations of fraud
- Advised an overseas aid charity with regards to a range of compliance, due diligence and anti-money laundering policies and procedures
- Assisted individuals and companies on a range of highly sensitive and confidential issues with themes and allegations touching upon, for instance, harassment, blackmail, bribery, money laundering and fraud
- Advised a banking executive in respect of the successful defence to a high-profile prosecution by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), regarding alleged fraud stemming back to the financial crisis*
- Advised a major retail bank on the financial crime-related elements of its acquisition of a significant prime mortgage book*
- Acted for an executive non-departmental public body in respect of concurrent Part 7 and judicial review claims concerning a significant infrastructure procurement*
Auszeichnungen
- The Lawyer, Associate of the Year, 2025
- The Legal 500 UK, Recommended, 2024-2025
- Best Lawyers in United Kingdom, “Ones to Watch” in Criminal Practice, 2025
Mitgliedschaften
- Young Fraud Lawyers Association
Qualifikation
Education
BPP Law School, LPC, 2017
University of Bristol, LLB, 2016
Admissions
England & Wales
