Kingsley Napley has announced that Jonathan Grimes will become head of its criminal litigation team with effect from 1 April 2026, taking over from Louise Hodges. Hodges will continue her client work while focusing on developing the practice, alongside her board and external leadership responsibilities.
Grimes has advised individuals and organisations on criminal law matters for 25 years and joined the firm in 2002, becoming a partner in 2010. While his early career focused on serious and general crime, his practice now centres on white collar and business crime, often with an international dimension. He is also among a small number of UK solicitors with experience advising on war crimes investigations.
Managing partner Matt Meyer said: ‘I would like to thank Louise for her superb stewardship of our criminal litigation practice and wish Jonathan well with his new responsibilities… I am confident that with Jonathan leading the team… we will continue to lead the market and maintain our formidable reputation in this area of our work.’



