Rob Rode

Rob is a nationally and internationally recognized specialist criminal defence solicitor.  An acknowledged specialist fraud (white collar) and regulatory defence solicitor, he is described in one of the leading guides to the profession as “like a terrier that never stops digging”.  Rob is a supervisor on the Specialist Fraud Panel set up by the Legal Aid Agency. He is a Higher Court Advocate.

He represents individuals and companies in the UK and abroad facing investigation/prosecution under the Bribery Act or multijurisdictional legislation including FCPA. He has experience of dealing with prosecution authorities across a number of jurisdictions.

Rob undertakes fraud defence, regulatory defence,white collar defence involving cross-jurisdictional issues, defence of tax/VAT fraud, motoring and general criminal matters with (again, according to a leading independent guide) “a certain panache”.

He has acted as defence solicitor successfully in numerous cases defending historic and present day sexual offence allegations.Cases of this nature may also involve allegations of neglect and he has acted for both individuals and organizations.

He also has a particular interest in defending allegations of serious violence and murder acting successfully as defence solicitor in multiple cases over his years of practice.

He is tactically astute and will ensure that when appropriate a pro-active defence is pursued in all cases.

Rob trained at Irwin Mitchell and joined ABR Solicitors in 1998 becoming a partner in 2002 and senior/managing partner in 2013. He was Chairman of the Serious Fraud Association, and a member of SAHCA, CLSA  the International Criminal Bar ,the American Bar Association and a member of the Leeds criminal duty solicitor defence scheme.

He is Criminal Law Lawyer of the Year in England (International Advisory Experts Awards 2017)

 He is also UK-regional Criminal Defence lawyer of the year (ACQ5 Law Awards 2017)

He is ranked a leading figure by the legal 500 and Chambers and has  national and international recognition and awards in relation to his and the firm’s work.

They state that Rob Rode is called “a tour de force – an ambitious, energetic and thorough lawyer.” He is known for his work in the defence of business crime allegations. “He is a national figure, a leader in the field in Leeds and nationally. A power broker who is held in extremely high regard,” reports the Bar. ”He is remarkably hands on. He has a great presence in this area (crime and financial crime) according to sources who add that he thinks outside the box and always provides good service to his clients. He is extremely proactive”. “He is very talented and hardworking and always keeps his client’s best interests at heart “ “He is an extremely impressive and dynamic team leader who combines fearless tenacity with an exceptionally personable attitude”

The firm is ranked number one in Yorkshire and the Humber and number two nationally by the Legal 500 and Chambers. The team is described as “excellent”.

Criminal & Fraud Law:

We know that when your reputation, livelihood or liberty are on the line, you need a lawyer you trust to guide you through a process that can be bewildering and just plain frightening. Our specialist fraud defence and criminal defence team have immense experience of the criminal justice system in all its forms and at every level, and our team includes solicitors and solicitor advocates who can represent you every step of the way. 

Our fraud lawyers are experts in the defence of clients in prosecutions brought by all the prosecution authorities, including the Serious Fraud Office, the Financial Conduct Authority, the Environment Agency, BIS (formerly the DTI) and the Crown Prosecution Service, and we leave no stone unturned to ensure that if a prosecution can be avoided it is avoided, and if it cannot, it is defended to the fullest rigour of the law. The firm is a member of the Legal Aid Agency Serious Fraud Panel. Public funding (legal aid) will be available where applicable for representation.

ABR Solicitors:

Sources regard the criminal law team here as a “key player “Although the team handles a large amount of regulatory and fraud work, it also continues to handle general criminal cases on a regular basis. “This is a very ambitious firm with a bright future ahead of it,” according to observers.

Acting on fraud, regulatory and general crime cases we are ranked highly in leading independent research publications and our discerning clientele reflect our reputation.

Prosecutions and investigations of all kinds are defended at all stages of their progress by our experienced team of criminal defence and fraud defence lawyers.

ABR Solicitors are a progressive practice ensuring independent representation for all our clients. We maintain excellent professional relationships with others barristers, solicitors and expert witnesses seeking justice for our clients.