With experience of representing clients in the Court of Arbitration of Sport, before the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber, and in FA disciplinary proceedings, the Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner practice is renowned for its ‘unrivalled attention to detail’. The team leverages the expertise of its offices across the globe, with sports head Graham Shear being a specialist in supporting entertainment and EPL clubs in M&A transactions and regulatory matters, while Marcus Pearl is a tech and IP expert. Marc Trottier focuses on finance and investment work in the sports, media, and entertainment sectors, and both Andrew Street and Kate Jeffery are also recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team show unrivalled attention to detail and deliver an outstanding service in a highly professional, hardworking and understandable manner. As a client I feel highly valued, and I am kept fully engaged and informed at all times.’
‘Graham Shear is an outstanding lawyer with a wealth of wide-ranging experience and a unique ability to identify the key issues quickly and develop outstanding case strategies. Andrew Street is a recently appointed partner who continues to provide top-quality advice and an analytical assessment of the case matter in front of him. Super responsive and user friendly. Emily Watts is an exceptional associate with a great analytical capacity and attention to detail – conducting her work in a very professional and friendly manner.’
Key clients
- The administrators of Worcester Warriors
- Federation Internationale de Ski
- Sportradar
Work highlights
- Advised on rights and media funding in relation to the acquisition of a majority stake in Everton by 777 Partners, a leading Miami-based investment fund.
- Advising Julie Palmer, Julian Pitts and Andrew Hook of Begbies Traynor Group (BTG), in their capacity as joint administrators and receivers of Worcester Warriors, on a formal insolvency process, including the sale of Worcester Warriors to Atlas Worcester Warriors Rugby Club (Atlas).
- Assisted Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) in successfully concluding sensitive cross-border arbitration proceedings against it in February 2023, with the appellants withdrawing their appeal shortly before the decision was due to be handed down at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Graham Shear