National law firm Shakespeare Martineau has appointed Marie Bourke as a legal director in its Sheffield office – reinforcing the firm’s regulatory offering as it builds senior capability in this key regional market.
Marie brings extensive experience advising individuals and organisations on complex and high-value disputes at the intersection of regulatory, investigatory and criminal issues.
Her practice spans the full lifecycle of contentious matters – from early-stage investigations through to trial and appeal.
She advises on allegations including fraud, bribery and corruption, money laundering, and wider regulatory breaches - acting for clients across a broad range of sectors where exposure to enforcement action and reputational risk is increasingly acute.
Marie has worked on a range of significant matters, including representing an engineering company subject to a complex HMRC investigation into alleged VAT irregularities, where HMRC denied input tax of close to £1 million. HMRC’s decision was reversed following a robust challenge of it.
She also advised a provider of children’s accommodation under regulatory scrutiny, where no further action was ultimately taken.
Marie said: “What attracted me to Shakespeare Martineau was the way its disputes practice brings together a wide range of work across litigation and regulatory matters and applies that experience in a practical, joined-up way for clients.
“My work sits in the space where legal proceedings, regulatory scrutiny and reputational considerations are closely connected. I am looking forward to joining the team at a point where the practice is continuing to develop and contributing to the next stage of its growth.”
Marie’s appointment is further supported by the arrival of paralegal Alesha Tong, who joins the team following her graduation from the University of Sheffield.
She will support the firm’s regulatory workload and strengthen delivery on complex matters, reflecting the firm’s continued investment in building depth at all levels of the team.
Kamal Chauhan, partner, head of regulatory at Shakespeare Martineau, and head of the Sheffield office, said: “Marie brings strong experience in complex disputes where litigation and regulatory issues intertwine and need to be managed together as part of a wider approach to the matter.
“Her appointment and Alesha’s arrival strengthen the Sheffield team and reflect the continued development of our regulatory practice as we build capability across our regional offices.”
