Joanne Davis appointed to head up Locke Lord’s asset finance & leasing division

She is working closely with London-based partners Kevin Heath and Robert Courtneidge who head up the firm’s UK banking litigation operation and payment services operation, respectively.

Davis, who has built a highly-regarded practice representing clients in matters focused on asset finance, motor finance, leasing and consumer credit,  is also a member of the firm’s global Banking and Finance Practice Group.

She has experience dealing with small and medium ticket asset finance transactional matters, end to end financial services regulatory advice and documentation (including consumer credit regulation and FCA handbook advice and operational support). In addition she is experienced in assisting clients and advising on asset and motor finance litigation and dispute resolution.

“Jo’s skill set broadens and further strengthens our client service offerings in London and across the firm,” said Michael Collins, managing partner of Locke Lord’s London office. “Her highly regarded and well-known practice is the type of resource our clients expect of an international firm such as Locke Lord. We are pleased and excited that Jo has joined us to continue counseling clients on the complex matters they face every day.”

Davis’ practice at Locke Lord will include new product launches and new business start-ups in the UK consumer and asset finance market, as well as offering general advisory services for the asset, motor and consumer finance sector. She has previously worked with a number of well known finance providers in the automotive, asset and consumer finance and leasing industries as well as banks.

Before joining the Firm, Davis served as the interim Head of Legal and Compliance at Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) Limited where she led its FCA application and implementation of FCA requirements as well as handled an array of legal projects including bank, retail and fleet leasing items.

Davis started her legal career working in-house in the asset and consumer finance business at The Royal Bank of Scotland. She then moved into private practice heading up the Consumer Credit and Asset Finance Division at Shoosmiths and later worked as a partner and head of the Asset and Consumer Finance practice in Birmingham at DWF.

Recognized by Chambers & Partners in Consumer Finance UK-Wide, the legal publication recently stated: “Joanne Davis leads the department and is a motor finance specialist, noted for her ability to ‘provide bespoke advice.’ She is also praised for giving clear advice and ‘making sure clients understand the reasons behind her advice.’ “

Davis sits on the Council of the Consumer Credit Trade Association and was awarded the accolade Leasing Personality of the Year in 2014.