Richard Bloomfield, a former M&A lawyer at Goodwin Procter, pleaded not guilty in a London court to five counts of insider dealing. The charges, brought by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), allege that Bloomfield illegally traded shares of Seraphine Group Plc, a maternity wear company, between March 28, 2022, and January 10, 2023. These trades occurred while Goodwin Procter was advising on the acquisition of Seraphine. The FCA initiated charges against Bloomfield in July, stating that he used inside information obtained through his professional role to buy and sell Seraphine Group shares on the stock market.
Bloomfield's case was heard at Southwark Crown Court, where he entered his plea on Friday, September 11, 2026. His lawyer, Alison Clare KC, proposed a trial date of September 11, 2028, which the prosecutor did not object to, and Judge Baumgartner approved. Another case management hearing is scheduled for September 13, 2027. The court was also informed that Bloomfield underwent a medical assessment, with the report expected later in the month.
Prior to his time at Goodwin Procter, Bloomfield qualified in 2012 at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, where he worked until 2016. He then moved to Bird & Bird as a senior associate before joining Goodwin Procter. He left Goodwin Procter earlier this year to become a chief legal officer and general counsel at a legal tech firm. The FCA has clarified that it is not investigating either the law firm involved, Goodwin Procter, or Seraphine Group Plc in connection with these charges.
