England - London • TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
Northridge Law LLP
Sports boutique Northridge Law LLP regularly works on high value sponsorship deals and corporate transactions – such as takeovers and sales – for elite football clubs. Practice co-heads Jonathan Ellis and Ian Lynam are routinely engaged on high-profile mandates within the industry, ranging from high-profile acquisitions to sponsorship agreements. Recent engagements for Ellis include work with the FA regarding the development of the women’s game and issues arising out of fan-led reviews. Jon Walters and Paul Shapiro are key commercial contacts for high-growth tech companies operating at the intersection of media, sports, marketing and advertising. Walters also works on venue hosting agreements for baseball and football events. James Eighteen is regularly sought out by major governing bodies for advice on horse-doping-related disciplinary proceedings, among other issues. Jamie Feldman supports on employment law matters. Oliver Harland, Sarah Boulton and George Willis are all further names to note. Mike Herbert was promoted to partner in April 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Northridge combines the focused expertise of a specialist sports law firm with an unparalleled level of service. The firm excels across the full range of sports law work, from regulatory and disciplinary aspects to commercial and player/club/agent cases. The partners have enormous experience and expertise and effectively pass it on to the associates, who can quickly develop because the practice is specialist.’
‘I have worked most with Jon Ellis and James Eighteen on the regulatory side of things. They are simply excellent, combining very hard work with in depth knowledge and experience of the sector built up of many years. They stand out in particular because they can apply their expertise and experience, and hard work, so effectively to deliver what the client needs.’
‘Tom Edmonds is a pleasure to instruct – he is responsive, pragmatic, diligent, and understands the business and the industry.'
‘James Eighteen is a litigator who knows how to fight hard but provide pragmatic advice based on excellent legal knowledge. Inspires confidence.'
- 'I do not know how anyone would fail to find Ian Lynam engaging. He is the very best non- contentious sports lawyer I have met. In a sector so full of egos and self-promotion, he is refreshingly understated.'
- Jon Ellis is just the best if you have a regulatory dispute.’
‘Northridge probably have the best all round proposition in the sports law market. Dedicated specialist teams with deep knowledge of the sector.’
- Paul Shapiro - strong legal drafting and meticulous attention to detail.’
Key clients
- The FA
- Chelsea FC
- Spotify
- LIV Golf
- Elliott
- Premiership Rugby
- Betway
- The British Horseracing Authority
- Raheem Sterling
- Welsh Rugby Union
- Fédération Française de Rugby
Work highlights
- Acted as the lead counsel on the sale of Chelsea FC.
- Acted for Spotify on its sponsorship agreement with FC Barcelona.
- Advised Elliott Advisors on the sale of AC Milan to RedBird Capital Partners.
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Rising stars
Northridge Law LLP
Oliver specialises in litigation and contentious regulatory matters, in particular for sports governing bodies. Oliver’s experience includes acting for the governing bodies of tennis (ITF, ATP, WTA and Grand Slams) in relation to an independent review of integrity in tennis and The FA in relation to an independent review of alleged non-recent child sexual abuse in football and concurrent civil claims. Oliver also has experience of working in house, having been on secondment at the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) as a Regulatory Legal Adviser where he was responsible for preparing and presenting the BHA’s case in respect of alleged breaches of the Rules of Racing. Oliver previously advised the BHA on a major re-write of the Rules of Racing (effective September 2019). His recent work highlights include acting for the BHA on its most high-profile disciplinary proceedings before its independent judicial panel, Sussex County Cricket Club in successfully reducing a sanction imposed on Sussex by the disciplinary body for the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) following an allegation of ball-tampering, and an international rugby federation for various on-field disciplinary matters. Oliver takes a particular interest in issues related to sporting integrity and has written for LawInSport on the subject of how sports governing bodies and event organisers should regulate against competition manipulation. He also sits as an ‘arbitrator’ in the Sports Arbitration Moot, an annual sports law focussed mooting competition for law school students (organised in partnership with FIFA).
Leading individuals
Northridge Law LLP
James has for many years been a key advisor to governing bodies such as The FA, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the Greyhound Board of Great Britain and Premiership Rugby on a range of contentious and regulatory matters. In addition, James advises individuals and teams, regularly appearing before disciplinary panels, the High Court and the Court of Arbitration for Sport. His recent highlights include acting for the BHA on a series of high-profile anti-doping cases, advising Premiership Rugby on its investigation into Leicester Tigers for breaches of salary cap regulations (having previously led on the high-profile salary cap prosecution of Saracens) and advising Middlesbrough FC on their complex, and ground breaking, financial fair play arbitration proceedings against Derby County.
Northridge Law LLP
Jon provides commercial and corporate advice to clients, with particular expertise on governance, corporate advice and commercial rights. Recent work highlights include acting for the Rugby Football League (RFL) on significant changes in the sport’s commercial, governance and strategic relationships, acting for long-standing client the WRU on a range of strategic projects, advising Bruin Capital on the acquisition of Interregional Sports Group (ISG), as well as supporting Betway, London Stadium and AEG Worldwide with their sponsorship programmes. He is also frequently involved with prominent governance mandates, including reforms for The FA, World Rugby and the RFL. Jon has a broad client base across the sports, leisure and technology sectors. He leads the innovative Northridge TRACK programme, acting for high growth technology businesses and participants in the sports and entertainment industry.
Next Generation Partners
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Jonathan Ellis, Ian Lynam