Hodge Jones & Allen Appoints Katy O’Mara and Rebecca Field To The Crime and Extradition Team
Katy O’Mara and Rebecca Field have been appointed by Hodge Jones & Allen and are joining the crime and extradition team. Katy is joining as an Associate, and Rebecca as a Solicitor.
Katy and Rebecca have a wealth of experience in extradition proceedings and have achieved many notable successes in preventing extradition to European countries, the USA, and the Middle East. They are both members of DELF and Katy was a speaker at the seminar on Technical Arguments and Tactical Considerations on 28 March 2024. They share a common approach to their criminal practices, always prioritising the needs and interests of clients. Their commitment, hard work, experience, and skill enable them to divert cases away from courts whenever possible or to provide robust and strategic defence if cases must proceed to court.
Katy and Rebecca are joining HJA fresh from their success at the Supreme Court in the case of Merticariu v Romania (link to the judgment). This landmark judgment overturned two Divisional Court decisions and significantly increased protections against extradition for people who have been convicted of crimes in their absence.
Katy has many years of experience in serious and complex criminal law and works on high-value, multi-handed cases often with an international dimension. She has defended all types of fraud, in cases prosecuted by NCA, SFO, HMRC, DEFRA and BIS. She has experience in money laundering, restraint orders, search warrants, confiscation, and forfeiture cases. She also defends murder, serious violence, firearms, and drug cases.
Rebecca is passionate about representing youths and has particular experience in cases involving modern slavery and exploitation, as well as clients with mental health diagnoses and learning difficulties. She also defends in cases of serious violence, sexual offences, drugs, and financial crime.
Raj Chada, Partner and Head of the Criminal Defence, Financial Crime and Regulatory Department at Hodge Jones & Allen said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Katy and Rebecca to the crime and extradition team. They both have excellent international experience in extradition proceedings and have their client’s wellbeing at the heart of their work. They will be valued members of the Hodge Jones & Allen team.”
Katy O’Mara commented on her appointment: “I am looking forward to working with the dedicated team at HJA and bringing justice to our clients. The firm achieves some noteworthy work for its clients, and I am excited to be part of it.”
Rebecca Field commented on her appointment: “Hodge Jones & Allen is highly respected for representing youths and fighting for what is right. I am excited to be joining a team that shares my personal values and to bring justice to those who deserve it.”