England - London • TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
Squire Patton Boggs
Squire Patton Boggs' ‘strong, in-depth experience of sports law’ makes it a firm choice for a diverse roster of clients, who regularly turn to the team for assistance on compliance issues, commercial agreements, and contractual disputes. Stephen Sampson - who heads the EMEA litigation practice as well as the sports and entertainment group - is well versed in both domestic and cross-border football-related disputes, including investigations into club ownership. Wayne Barnes specialises in investigations and reviews for national governing bodies. IP and technology expert Mike Llewellyn is a key contact for compliance and privacy matters as well as for digital advertising and NFT partnerships between tech companies and league competition rights holders. Joining from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP in September 2022, Lucy Webster acts for high-profile clients in reputational risk matters. Henry Goldschmidt - who joined the firm from Solesbury Gay in the summer of 2022 - frequently works on investigative matters together with Katie Smith - 'a real superstar in the making.'
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘First rate experienced and practical sports disputes/commercial team.’
‘Steve Sampson is one of the best lawyers in sports disputes in the UK.’
‘Combination of global reach and industry expertise.’
‘Strong, in-depth experience of sports law, with good expertise in both its M&A and litigious aspects.’
'Stephen Sampson is an absolute powerhouse. Always available, and always able to assess a situation on a call, talk you through the applicable laws and give you an opinion on that same call. One of the few partners not afraid to give you a risk analysis and tell you how to proceed.'
'Katie Smith is a real superstar in the making.'
Key clients
- AIA Company Limited
- Alpine Racing Limited
- Arena Racing
- Aston Villa FC
- AFL Europe Ltd
- Brighton and Hove Albion FC
- British Judo
- CONCACAF
- Creative Artists Agency
- England Boxing
- Essex CCC
- Fulham Football Club
- IF Education Pty Limited
- Infront
- The International Tennis Federation
- Mesut Özil
- FC Nantes
- Project 11
- Rangers FC
- Sheffield Wednesday FC
- Six Nations Management
- Southampton FC
- Sportfive
- Sportsshoes
- Supponor
- West Bromwich Albion FC
- Whoop, Inc
- Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
- World Sailing
Work highlights
- Acted for FC Nantes in its claim against Cardiff City FC for the transfer fee payable for the player Emiliano Sala who tragically lost his life, along with pilot David Ibbotson, when their plane crashed into the English Channel.
- Advised Supponor on its game changing-deal with the National Hockey League (NHL) for the league-wide deployment of virtual advertising technology at NHL matches.
- Advising CONCACAF on compliance, privacy and commercial agreements, including for the hosting of major events in the US in the period 2023-2025.
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