As a partner in our financial services team, Michael Thomas has spent his career advising all types of financial institutions on a wide range of matters. The core of Michael's practice is the provision of financial services regulatory advice. Michael advises firms on how financial services regulation will apply to them from their initial set-up, to their on-going business, and in relation to key events such as corporate transactions or outsourcing arrangements. In addition to regulatory advice, Michael advises financial institutions on commercial transactions, such as major outsourcing arrangements and distribution deals. Michael was a key member of the team awarded 'Outsourcing Advisor of the Year', for advising on most of the key outsourcings in the asset management, insurance and life and pensions sectors, at the National Outsourcing Association Awards 2011.

Michael has a particular focus on governance and systems and controls issues, and can help firms to determine how to ensure that they structure their governance arrangements in a manner that the regulators consider to be prudent. Michael has extensive knowledge and experience in the complex field of market infrastructure, advising trading venues, clearing houses and data repositories, together with the firms accessing their services. This has includes advising on the launch of two European clearing houses. Michael's team came second at the Lawyer Awards 2015 in the category of Corporate Team of the Year, for their work in the launch of LME Clear, the new clearing house for The London Metal Exchange.