Two new lawyers for firm’s crime & extradition team
Hodge Jones & Allen (HJA) has made two new appointments to its crime and extradition team. Katy O’Mara (pictured left) is joining as an associate, and Rebecca Field (pictured right) 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 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 Judecatoria Arad, Romania [2024] UKSC 10. 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.
Katy 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 said: ‘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.’
Raj Chada, partner and head of the criminal defence, financial crime and regulatory department at Hodge Jones & Allen, added: ‘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 clients’ wellbeing at the heart of their work. They will be valued members of the Hodge Jones & Allen team.’
