England - London • TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
Mishcon de Reya LLP
Mishcon de Reya LLP‘s sports group head Simon Leaf leverages his ’expert grasp not only of sports law but also technology matters’ to advise clients that operate at the intersection of tech, media and sport, including NFTs and crypto-centric ventures. Leaf also works with various sports investors and agencies as well as a number of football clubs, working with the latter on with financial regulation compliance. Tom Murray regularly works alongside Leaf as he assists motorsport clients with drivers’ contracts and endorsement deals; his broad client roster spans world champion boxers, F1 drivers and football clubs, governing bodies, players and agents, as well as sports tech businesses. Immigration specialist Maria Patsalos is a go-to adviser for women's football matters, while ‘fantastic litigator’ Peter Nunn is called upon by motorsport clients for advice on on crypto-related disputes. Reema Sharma - a recent arrival from Freeths LLP - works on high-value matters related to the hosting and broadcasting of boxing matches in the Middle East. Oliver Millichap is a further name to note.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Simon Leaf is a consummate professional with an expert grasp not only of sports law but also technology matters, making him particularly well placed to advise on the increasing number is issues that straddle the two.’
‘A really outstanding media team, with sports, tech and media at its focus. One of my favourite firms to work with.’
‘Peter Nunn is a fantastic litigator, who has recently worked on a diamond trading case where he excelled - and won!'
- Simon Leaf is the head of sports law, very well-connected and a man who knows his sport. From the regulatory side to litigation, he should be on every sportsperson's list.’
‘What makes the practice unique is the ability of their team to quickly understand the issues at hand and promptly come back to clients with proposed alternatives explained in a plain business language, which is what counts the most. Even complicated issues are made simple to understand and digest.'
- 'The strategic guidance MdR provides to clients is outstanding - they seem to know very well what needs to be done, and when to be aggressive or hold still and wait, which I believe comes from the vast experience across the entire team.’
Key clients
- Azeem Rafiq
- Socios
- TikTok
- Splash Tech
- Fewco Management Ltd
- Multiple Motorsport Drivers
- 8by8 Video Limited
- Women in Football
- Veloce
- The Tote
Work highlights
- Advised Socios on advertising, corporate and employment related matters.
- Represented Azeem Rafiq in disciplinary hearings and other related matters to mitigate the damage caused by the hundreds of defamatory articles published about him.
- Advised Neil Fewings and his management business on contractual arrangements for numerous high-profile professional footballers, as well as Neil's own transfer.
Lawyers
Rising stars
Leading individuals
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Simon Leaf