Blog
AML update for Lawyers and Law Firms
Julie Norris
Julie is a partner in the Regulatory team. She predominantly acts in the legal services sector, advising law firms, solicitors, and barristers on regulatory compliance, investigations, adjudication, enforcement, and prosecutions.
Julie is top ranked in both major legal directories for her work in the regulatory field.
Clients come to Julie for advice on regulatory issues that affect their ability to practice or run their organisations, as well as those regulatory issues that may impact their reputation or professional standing.
Julie is frequently instructed to advise in advance of any Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) interest or at the outset of an SRA investigation. She has conducted a large number of cases arising out of the #metoo movement and has an impressive track record for halting investigations pre-hearing. Julie has particular expertise and interest in AML and CTF and is accredited by the Law Society, having successfully completed its Advanced AML examination.
Julie regularly advises firms and chambers in inquiries and investigations instigated by regulators, or commenced of their own initiative. Julie’s early career at the criminal bar and “…mastery of criminal law and procedure and its application to regulatory work...” (Chambers UK) means that Julie is particularly well placed to advise clients in regulatory investigations with a criminal angle.
Julie also advises barristers in proceedings before the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and judges in Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) investigations.
As a recognised expert in her field, Julie regularly speaks at industry events, including for the International Bar Association, The Law Society and the Association of Partnership Practitioners, as well as writing in journals and other publications. Julie is a Legal assessor for the British Acupuncture Council.
Julie is a champion for workplace disability inclusion and is vice chair of the firm’s Enable group. Julie is listed in the Pro Bono Recognition List 2025.
Recent work
- Undertaking an internal investigation for a law firm into serious allegations of counter inclusive behaviour
- Undertaking an internal investigation for a law firm into allegations of harassment by a partner
- Advising a senior partner in respect of SRA allegations into historic sexual allegations
- Advising a senior partner in an SRA investigation relating to a potential conflict of interest (securing closure of the case)
- Advising a non-SRA regulated entity on AML supervision
- Advising a law firm partner on conflict of interest through their involvement in a new business model
- Advising a law firm undertaking claims management work on SRA allegations relating to supervision and FSMA 2000
- Advising a law firm on historical non-compliance with the Money Laundering Regulations 2017
- Advising a partner in respect of an allegation of breaches of the Solicitors Accounts Rules
- Representing a barrister in allegations of misleading the court (with no dishonesty or lack of integrity found) and securing a reduction in sanction on appeal
- Representing a barrister in relation to harassment proceedings
- Advising a judge in a JCIO investigation on allegations of alleged misuse of social media
- Advising a judge in a JCIO investigation on allegations of alleged theft
What clients and directories have said
People speak very highly of her; she has a very good practice and is good with her clients as well."
Chambers and Partners, 2025
Julie is unparalleled in some areas in terms of her experience and she knows how to approach things."
Chambers UK 2025 - A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
I worked with Julie Norris and Jessica Clay. I have worked in the legal industry for 19 years and I would rate them as the best team I have worked with in terms of human intelligence and strategy. Compassion and emotional intelligence are a much under-used quality in the profession and they both have it in abundance."
Legal 500 UK 2022
Julie Norris is composed and intellectual.”
Legal 500 UK 2022
the highest accolade I could give Julie is that I would recommend her to a friend or family member in trouble. She is the consummate professional, intelligent, calm ‘under fire’ and very hardworking. A very safe pair of hands."
Legal 500 2020
very tenacious at defending professionals, good and reassuring client manner."
Legal 500 2020
She's very good, she's hard-working and she makes very good tactical judgements."
Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2019
She has a mastery of the detail and is a great tactician.
Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2018
razor-sharp" and "her knowledge and expertise concerning professional discipline is unrivalled."
Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2017
She is exceptional adding that "she has a mastery of the detail and is a great tactician."
Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2018
She is praised for her "incisive, clear and intelligent" approach to cases
Legal 500 UK 2015
Defence work is overseen by the ‘articulate, fluid and highly skilled' Julie Norris.”
Legal 500, 2014
...'She has a mastery of criminal law and procedure and its application to regulatory work – her cross-examinations are truly brilliant'.
Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2014
Publications and articles
- Legal industry revenues decline in February, Solicitors Journal, March 2025
- Social media dos and don’ts for Barristers - Counsel, December 2024
- ONS reports legal industry revenue drop by £1bn in May - Solicitors Journal, July 2024
- Navigating new frontiers in law firm risk management - Solicitors Journal, January 2024
- New AML supervision regime for lawyers moves step closer - Legal Futures, July 2023
- UK widens ban on legal advice to Russian-linked business deals - Wealthbriefing, July 2023
- AML Update For Legal Practitioners and Law Firms - May 2023
- Baseless complaints: beware disclosure - The Law Society Gazette, December 2022
- Industry turnover dips - Solicitors Journal, March 2022
- The role of managers in promoting a good working culture within law firms, Legal Compliance Insight, April 2020
- Universities lack the skills to properly investigate sexual misconduct claims, THE, October 2019
- Getting disability inclusion on the agenda; being diversish is not enough…, September 2019
- Innocent until proven guilty: how universities must handle sexual allegations, University Business, September 2019
- Combatting workplace sexual harassment in accounting firms, Accountancy Age, October 2018
Professional societies and memberships
- Alternative and New Law Business Structures Committee as the Liaison Officer, Professional Ethics Committee for IBA
- The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
- Law Society of England and Wales
- Committee member of the Regulatory Processes Committee of the Law Society
- Contributing Editor and Consultation Board member, Thomson Reuters Practical Law Practice Compliance & Management
- Member of the Association of Partnership Practitioners
- Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Solicitors
- Member of the Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers (ARDL)
- Whitehall and Industry Group Lawyers’ Network (WIG)
