Polly Sprenger is a barrister with a distinguished reputation in corporate crime, civil fraud, and private prosecutions. She is known for leading high-stakes investigations, parallel civil and criminal litigation, and regulatory enquiries, with a discrete specialisms in private prosecutions, sports ethics enquiries and investigative integrity.

Operating at the intersection of civil and criminal litigation, her practice spans the full spectrum of financial crime and regulatory exposure. She is routinely instructed on high-profile and high-risk matters involving allegations of fraud, bribery, money laundering and other criminal misconduct. She represents corporates, boards, and senior executives in sensitive investigations and subsequent remedial litigation, through to enforcement, recovery and custodial penalties. Polly leads a team with a growing practice in sports ethics investigations, where they advise governing bodies and clubs navigating disciplinary and misconduct issues.

Polly is recognised in legal directories as a leading practitioner in private prosecutions and corporate crime and investigations. Clients and colleagues have said:

“Polly is an exceptional lawyer, and we have had numerous successes with her in fast-paced, complex and sensitive investigations. Polly is always professional and calm when under pressure.”

“Her background in investigations combined with her commercial and strategic abilities rate her among the best in her field.”

“Polly is top drawer. She is at the top of her game and a leading force in that area. She is a brilliant tactician. Clients love her, and opponents fear but respect her.”

Before joining Michelman Robinson, Polly was head of the sports sector group at Addleshaw Goddard, where she also co-led the fraud practice and headed the firm’s private prosecutions group. Earlier in her career, she served as head of strategic intelligence at the UK’s Serious Fraud Office and as technical advisor to a Parliamentary Inquiry into misconduct in the private investigation industry.

Polly is the author of a legal text book on deferred prosecution agreements and has contributed chapters to other leading texts on fraud and money laundering. She served as managing editor of the industry-produced Code for Private Prosecutors, a peer-reviewed publication offering best-practice guidance for private prosecutors, now frequently referred to in guideline judgments.