Stephen Taylor Heath leads the group at JMW Solicitors LLP, which is noted for its standout focus on golf and boxing. Heath handles a variety of matters, including ambassador agreements for well-known athletes, acting for a range of football clubs, professional golfers, and governing bodies. Mike Blood is well-versed in sports finance and commercial rights related issues, and is noted for his experience in advising overseas professional leagues and associations, and John Burns is a key name for commercial issues, advising on a whole host of brand licensing matters.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘JMW has strength in depth in all aspects of Sports Law, from contracts and endorsement / sponsorship deals to serious criminal charges.'
‘Ian Lewis stands apart in the Sports Law market as the solicitor of choice for the most famous and accomplished sporting professionals.'
‘competent and real attention to detail ’
‘Stephen Taylor Heath is so well versed in his area.’
‘They are stalwarts in the sports industry. From agency disputes to complex commercial litigation for clubs and rights holders, they're a hugely impressive presence in the sports industry. Their clients are high profile and the work they undertake is enviably high quality.’
‘Stephen Taylor Health knows everything there is to know about sports regulation. He balances being client friendly and approachable but also displays incisive analysis when it matters. He's a pleasure to receive instructions from, and you'd be hard pressed to find a sports solicitor with better experience to draw from.’
Key clients
- Ryan Giggs
- Modest Golf Management
- Oliver Rowland
- Moses Itauma
- Leah McCourt
- Rapsodo Golf
- Propel Sports
- Tyrrell Hatton
- Francis Warren
- Halifax RLFC
- Chubby Chandler
- Kinetica Sports Nutrition
- Stride Health Group Limited
- American Golf UK
- Rose Series Golf
Work highlights
- Advised Tyrrell Hatton on his signing to take part in the LIV Golf Tour as part of John Rahm’s team, which required consideration of the player participation agreement with LIV Golf, their tour rules and regulations and ancillary documents. It also required consideration of the impact of the move on sponsorship deals and participation in other events given the high profile litigation between LIV and the other professional golf tours.
- Represented Ryan Giggs the former manager of the national Wales football team, retired world-renowned football player and OBE in relation to two allegations of assault against his former partner and her sister and an allegation of controlling and coercive behaviour against the former partner over a 3-year period.
- Advised Oliver Rowland on the terms of his departure from the Mahindra Formula E team and his driver contract with his new Formula E team Nissan Racing.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Stephen Taylor Heath