Charles Russell Speechlys appoints Justine Howard as General Counsel

Charles Russell Speechlys is pleased to announce the appointment of Justine Howard as General Counsel (GC). Justine joins the Firm from Pinsent Masons where she previously held the role of Deputy GC and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO).          

With over two decades of experience in senior legal roles, Justine has a deep understanding of law firm strategy and operations, aligning governance and compliance frameworks with strategic business goals to deliver the desired outcomes for long term, sustainable growth. Alongside this, she has a particular interest in AI ethics and governance, and the role these play in enabling organisations to innovate responsibly.

Justine will be responsible for the Firm’s strategic growth, governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management.   She will be work closely with the Senior Leadership Team and Partners across the Firm and will focus on aligning legal and business objectives to support the Firm’s ambitions to grow safely and sustainably. 

Outside of her day-to-day, Justice has a keen interest in responsible business initiatives, women in leadership and workplace wellbeing. 

Justine Howard, General Counsel, comments:

Charles Russell Speechlys is an ambitious Firm that is growing quickly. As someone who is energised by organisational transformation and growth, I am excited to be stepping into this role. With increasing regulatory complexity and higher client expectations, my role brings with it an evolving mandate and a chance to make real meaningful impact. I look forward to working closely with a range of people in the business to move the Firm forward confidently and responsibly.

Lesley O’Leary, Chief Operating Officer, adds:

Justine brings with her a combination of commercial awareness, regulatory expertise and people focused leadership. We are a rapidly growing and increasingly complex business, and Justine’s track record of building frameworks to mitigate risk, and ensure compliance, whilst simultaneously driving growth will be instrumental in helping us tackle emerging regulatory and risk challenges in the months and years to come as we strengthen our international reach.