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Vanessa Whitman is a Partner in the Finance Disputes team in London. Vanessa has over 15 years’ experience as a finance and insolvency litigator and works primarily on contentious matters for banks and insolvency professionals, advising clients on various aspects of contentious banking and insolvency law. She has a growing practice specialising in FinTech and Crypto disputes. 

Vanessa also has significant experience advising clients how to deal with Serious Fraud Office cases and other fraud related matters, having advised on Britain’s largest mortgage fraud. Vanessa also successfully defended a £300m follow-on civil claim related to the same fraud at a 5-week Commercial Court trial.

Awards & Recognitions
01
  • Quote
    "Next Generation Partner."
    Legal 500, 2021, 2022 and 2023
  • Quote
    "Absolutely first-class... is a key name in the team, with expertise in fintech and crypto-related disputes."
    Legal 500, 2023
  • Quote
    "Tom Dane and Vanessa Whitman are stand-out partners. Their advice is prompt, very clear and concise, pragmatic and commercial."
    Legal 500, 2023

Relevant experience

  • Defence of a GBP 300m reputation critical claim against a bank in the High Court (Commercial Court) resulting in indemnity costs orders in favour of our client. 
  • Successful defence of abusive winding up proceedings.
  • Recovery of significant sums obtained by fraud, by way of multiple freezing injunctions and third-party disclosure orders.
  • Obtaining successful release of security over fleet of aircraft being held to ransom by corporate security holder outside of the jurisdiction.

Publications

Education

  • 2005 – LPC, BPP Law School, London
  • 2004 – PgDL, BPP Law School, London
  • 2003 – B.A., University of Warwick

Insights by Vanessa

Victims of cryptocurrency theft cannot pursue claims in conversion

20 Mar 2026 5 min read

Singapore High Court addresses the correct date for assessing damages in crypto claims

03 Mar 2026 6 min read

Global cryptoexchange sued by UK regulator for breaching financial promotions rules

11 Feb 2026 7 min read

In Dispute: CMS thought leadership on litigation issues

18 Dec 2025 1 min read
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