Standing out for its handling of corporate restructurings, sponsorship agreements and multi-jurisdictional M&A, Squire Patton Boggs is labelled as a ‘very personable team’, being especially well versed in the football, rugby and cricket spheres. The practice provides tailored advice on contentious issues, ranging from allegations of racism investigations to unlawful terminations of contracts. Litigation division head Stephen Sampson covers regulatory and litigious matters in the sport and media industries, Birmingham-based David Hull concentrates on complex joint ventures, while Wayne Barnes frequently instructs national governing bodies. Lucy Webster focuses on cross-border disputes, and Mike Llewellyn is an expert on broadcasting rights.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘EFL experience.’
‘Very personable team and pitch themselves as a premium law firm providing first-class service and advice. Highly specialised and also having excellent knowledge of the sporting side of the matter in addition to technical legal principles and procedures. Full-service firm with other individuals readily on hand to assist in other departments should the matter dictate.’
‘Wayne Barnes (partner) is an extremely reputable and well-connected lawyer with an unrivalled knowledge of this particular legal area in addition to his ability to combine this with his own personal sporting background and experiences. Wayne is a very personable, approachable and reliable individual and is always on the end of the phone or email should he be required.’
Key clients
- AFL Europe Ltd
- Alpine F1 Team
- Aston Villa FC
- Baseball United
- Brighton and Hove Albion FC
- British Judo
- CONCACAF
- Creative Artists Agency (CAA)
- England Boxing
- Essex County Cricket Club
- FC Nantes
- Fulham FC
- Global Sustainability Benchmark in Sports
- IF Education Pty Limited (t/a World Academy of Sport)
- International Tennis Federation
- Knighthead Capital Management LLC (and Birmingham City FC)
- Mohamed Salah
- Nottingham Forest FC
- Perform Content Services Limited t/a Stats Perform
- Performance 54
- Premiership Women’s Rugby
- Rugby Football League
- Sheffield Wednesday FC
- Six Nations Management
- Southampton FC
- Sportfive
- StableDuel
- Supponor
- US Olympic and Paralympic Committee
- West Bromwich Albion FC
- Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
- World Rugby
- World Sailing
Work highlights
- Acted for Nottingham Forest Football Club in the proceedings arising from its breach of the Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules.
- Represented Essex County Cricket in the ECB charges relating to allegations of racist language used by an office holder.
- Represented the International Tennis Federation as it negotiated with national and municipal authorities in Spain to host the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup finals.
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.
Stephen Sampson