Considered ‘one of the best, if not the best, solicitors teams working within sport’, Walker Morris LLP has an impressive roster of football clients and frequently assists clubs with buyouts, commercial agreements, and regulatory matters. Practice lead David Hinchliffe has extensive experience in football finance matters and maintains strong relations with clubs such as AFC Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion. The team also leverages a strong litigation offering, with key contacts Charlotte Smith and Matthew Lingard regularly acting in employment and corporate disputes. Regulatory expert Christian Slinger is also a key name to note. Alistair McHenry left the firm in April 2022, while the firm welcomed Tim Howden in October of the same year.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Walker Morris is one of the best, if not the best, solicitor teams working within sport, especially football. Their industry knowledge of football is second to none, and they take on a wide variety of work, from transactional to litigation, in the sector.’
‘David Hinchliffe is one of the star lawyers in the UK working in football. I would rely on his judgment more than just about anyone else. He is extremely well-connected and brings in, or thinks up, excellent cases.’
‘A very experienced team steeped in the issues affecting sport clients.’
‘David Hinchliffe: Hugely experienced, very savvy, warm-hearted. India Swall: already a star. Switched on, clever, astute.’
Key clients
- AFC Bournemouth
- Ali Acun Ilicali – Hull FC
- Barbarians
- Bidding Consortium for the takeover of Chelsea FC
- Blackpool FC
- Brighton & Hove Albion FC
- Burnley FC
- Carlisle United FC
- Huddersfield Town AFC
- Leeds United FC
- Sheffield United FC
- Watford FC
- Wrexham AFC
- York City Knights RLFC
Work highlights
- Acted on the sale of AFC Bournemouth Limited to the consortium led by American philanthropist and businessman, William Foley II.
- Advised Brighton & Hove Albion FC in relation to a number of charges brought by the FA relating to a significant number of historic player transactions.
- Advised one of the bidding consortiums on the widely publicised race for the takeover of Chelsea FC and carried out due diligence on the target group (including football and regulatory aspects of target club).
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
David Hinchliffe