Alerts

Warning: Documents and emails misusing the name of 'Howard Kennedy LLP', 'Simon Malkiel' and 'Robert Craig'

9 June 2025

Documents and emails have been sent misusing the name of 'Howard Kennedy LLP', 'Simon Malkiel' and 'Robert Craig'.

What is the scam?

The SRA has seen a document purporting to be a notarised guarantee letter which misuses the name of a genuine firm of solicitors and a genuine solicitor at the genuine firm (see below). The SRA has also seen a series of emails which misuse the name of a genuine solicitor at the genuine firm (see below).

The supposed guarantee letter claims to relate to a final payment of funds to be credited to a US bank account and is referred to as a legal binding document.

The SRA understands that the supposed guarantee letter also includes a false business card which misuses the name, logo, telephone number and address of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below). The false business card includes a telephone number of '+4420 3650 7000' and an email address of 'howardkennedyoffice@counsellor.com'.

Any business or transaction through the email address 'howardkennedyoffice@counsellor.com' or telephone number '+44 203650 7000' are not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Howard Kennedy LLP. The genuine firm's address is No.1 London Bridge, London, SE1 9BG, England. Its telephone number is 020 37556000 and its email domain is @howardkennedy.com. The genuine firm has confirmed that it does not have any connection to the documents or emails referred to in the above alert.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Simon Malkiel who is a partner at Howard Kennedy LLP and whose SRA ID is 276518.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Robert David Craig who works at Howard Kennedy LLP. His SRA ID is 102750.

The genuine Simon Malkiel and Robert David Craig have confirmed that neither have any connection to the documents or emails referred to in the above alert.

What should I do?

When a firm's or individual's identity has been copied exactly (or cloned), due diligence is necessary. If you receive correspondence claiming to be from the above firm(s) or individual(s), or information of a similar nature to that described, you should conduct your own due diligence by checking the authenticity of the correspondence by contacting the law firm directly by reliable and established means. You can contact the SRA to find out if individuals or firms are regulated and authorised by the SRA and verify an individual's or firm's practising details. Other verification methods, such as checking public records (e.g. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.