Browne Jacobson Appoints Former SRA Enforcement Head Oliver Sweeney as Inaugural General Counsel.
Browne Jacobson has appointed Oliver Sweeney as its inaugural General Counsel, a newly created role aimed at strengthening the firm’s internal legal and compliance functions.
Mr. Sweeney, who began his legal career at Browne Jacobson in 2004, returns to the firm after a notable tenure at the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), where he served as Head of Legal and Enforcement.
In his new position, Oliver Sweeney will oversee the firm’s risk and compliance strategies, provide legal counsel to the leadership team, and act as both the Compliance Officer for Legal Practice and the Money Laundering Reporting Officer. Mr. Sweeney will report directly to Browne Jacobson’s Chief Financial Officer, Andy Stephens.
Browne Jacobson’s Chief Financial Officer Andy Stephens expressed his enthusiasm about Sweeney’s appointment, highlighting his extensive regulatory experience, particularly his leadership role at the SRA. “We are thrilled to welcome Oliver to Browne Jacobson in this pivotal new role. His wealth of experience, particularly his tenure as head of legal and enforcement at the Solicitors Regulation Authority, makes him uniquely qualified to guide our firm through the complex legal and regulatory landscape. Oliver’s appointment as our first general counsel reflects our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of legal practice and ethical conduct.” Andy Stephens said.
Mr. Sweeney brings a wealth of experience to the role, having spent four and a half years at the SRA, where he led legal policy initiatives. Prior to his time at the SRA, he served as General Counsel at the Gambling Commission and worked with the Phone-paid Services Authority, overseeing phone-paid services in the UK. Sweeney also has extensive private practice experience, having worked at Kingsley Napley and spending nearly a decade at Browne Jacobson, where he focused on disputes and regulatory non-compliance matters.
Commenting on his return to the firm, Mr. Sweeney said, “Having spent the last decade working at the heart of regulation and compliance, including at the SRA, I’m looking forward to bringing these insights to Browne Jacobson as its first general counsel. The firm has a clear vision for growth and innovation, and I’m passionate about working with its talented teams to strengthen the risk and compliance framework while supporting these ambitions. The legal landscape continues to evolve rapidly, and I’m committed to ensuring we continue to set the highest standards in legal practice and ethical conduct.”
With the legal landscape evolving rapidly, Mr. Sweeney’s appointment signals Browne Jacobson’s proactive approach to managing risk and compliance in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. His leadership in this new role will be key to maintaining the firm’s commitment to upholding ethical standards and delivering top-tier legal services.
Browne Jacobson LLP is a leading UK and Ireland law firm with offices in Birmingham, Cardiff, Dublin, Exeter, London, Manchester, and Nottingham. The firm provides expert legal services across a broad range of sectors, including corporate, education, government, health, financial services, and insurance, serving both UK and international markets. With a strong presence in key industries, Browne Jacobson is known for its commitment to delivering tailored, high-quality legal solutions to clients across diverse sectors.