Fielding a team of specialists in private client and personal injury, and recently expanding into public law issues, the Russell-Cooke LLP team provides ‘a great service’ to professional football clubs and sports organisations. Matt Bosworth leads, primarily focusing on reputation management and IP protection in a sporting context; Sheetul Sowdagur is a regulatory and litigation expert; while Bhavneeta Limbachia is knowledgeable on personal immigration and human rights matters. The ’outstanding’ Gareth Roy is also noted.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘It is remarkable how this firm remains under the radar despite having a client list many in the "sports" sector would kill for. Their expertise includes field disciplinary and selection issues, as well as great experience in the cross-over between sport and crime (bribery). They have advised on criminal prosecutions. This is a firm that quietly gets on with it rather than "marketing" a tiny amount of work into a huge profile.’

  • ‘Matt Bosworth, tough as nails but measured and pragmatic. A man to have in your corner in a fight, but also commercial and a good negotiator.’

  • ‘Gareth Roy, senior associate, has been outstanding and helped us to get charity status and given ongoing advice as required. If the backup team has been needed, he has ensured that the relevant communications have happened in a timely fashion.’

  • ‘I work with a number of solicitors across the UK and ROI and the Channel Islands, and without doubt Russell Cooke goes above and beyond what is expected. This year they have supported me in the introduction of new processes and even facilitated the introduction and instruction of new solicitors in other territories.’

  • ‘Matt Bosworth and team are incredibly easy to work with, they are very friendly and make themselves available at short notice, if and when I have any queries. They appreciate the demands of our business and the desire for cases to move forward in a timely manner.’

  • ‘Great service, easy to deal with and always makes the time. Willing to try out new legal processes. Supported us in introduction to legal firms in other territories to build on our current process.’

  • ‘Matt Bosworth gives a really personalised and tailored service. He is always happy to try out new legal processes and is key to the success of our cases.’

  • 'I have found them to be very responsive to requests.'

Key clients

  • Sky UK PLC
  • Kick It Out
  • UK for UNHCR (the UK charity partner for UNHCR)
  • Surbiton Hockey Club
  • Barnes Rugby Football Club
  • Bedfordshire Golf Club
  • Thames Rowing Club
  • Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club
  • The Royal Air Force Central Fund
  • Fields in Trust
  • Harlequin Amateur Football Club

Work highlights

  • Assists Sky in the protection of its branding and intellectual property rights by advising and representing it in both civil and criminal cases for breaches of its rights.
  • Advising Bedfordshire Golf Club on its legal status and structure, guiding the historic club through the process of restructuring.
  • Advising Surbiton Hockey Club, the second oldest hockey club in the world, on a range of matters on and off the field of play, including in relation to the structuring and governance of the club.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Matt Bosworth

Other key lawyers

Sheetul Sowdagur, Bhavneeta Limbachia, Gareth Roy