Brabners LLP has a broad sports practice spanning governance, commercial, regulatory, and employment matters. Lydia Edgar leads the team with expertise in employment-related issues, particularly in relation to high-profile appointments and exits. Paul Lunt is experienced in sports-related disputes, often with a media element, while Jason Smith advises international federations and national governing bodies, focusing on the exploitation of commercial rights including sponsorship, merchandising, and broadcasting. Colin Bell handles a wide range of commercial and contractual matters for clubs, agents, governing bodies, and individuals. Andrew McGregor specialises in football-related contracts, transfers, and regulatory compliance, and the ‘brilliant’ Catherine Forshaw focuses on regulatory and integrity issues, including anti-doping, safeguarding, and athlete welfare matters.

Centrefield LLP is a leading boutique sport and media firm with standout football expertise and clients across a range of sports including rugby, cricket, golf, and eSports. The practice is co-led by Edward Canty, Matthew Bennett, David Bentham, and Stuart Baird. Bennett focuses on football regulatory, governance, disciplinary, immigration, and athlete representation matters, while Baird specialises in regulatory, dispute, and disciplinary matters, with a niche in immigration and player/manager appointments. Canty advises on key governance issues in football, and Bentham handles commercial matters including sponsorship, licensing, broadcasting and venue agreements, football finance work, and privacy issues.

Mills & Reeve LLP fields a full-service sports law practice with expertise spanning regulatory issues, contentious matters, competition law, corporate work and commercial services. The team acts across major sports including football, rugby, golf, motorsport, tennis, and Olympic/Paralympic sports, representing governing bodies, athletes, investors, and brands. Carol Couse leads the practice from London and Manchester and is a respected football law specialist with a strong presence in women’s football, acting for several Lionesses, as well as being a qualified mediator. Mark Hovell is an international sports lawyer and arbitrator, acting for Premier League clubs, players’ associations, and governing bodies. Jacob Walker contributes expertise in commercial and insolvency litigation within the sports sector.

Pinsent Masons LLP advises on a wide range of sports matters, both contentious and non-contentious, with clients including Premier League football clubs, World Athletics and the Jockey Club. Julian Diaz-Rainey leads the team and is a specialist in football litigation and arbitration. Samantha Livesey handles strategic contracts for major governing bodies, and Alexander Richardson advises on governance issues, disputes and contracts. Andrew Mitchell has a broad practice, including providing rules and regulatory advice to governing bodies, and Gabrielle Armstrong acts on sensitive issues for Premier League clubs.

Brandsmiths‘ sports team has a noted specialism in football, advising elite clubs, national associations, players, agents, and major sports brands. The practice is led by Tom Keane, David Seligman, and Michael Forrester. Keane is known for football transfers and IP-related matters, while Seligman handles a wide range of commercial and regulatory issues for clubs and players. Forrester is experienced in reputation and image rights matters.

Fletcher Sports Law is a boutique firm focused on the football industry, advising players, managers, agents, and brands on both contentious and non-contentious matters. Led by Paul Fletcher, founder of the firm, the group advises on transfers, contracts, endorsement deals, and regulatory issues, acting for leading domestic and international clients. Tom Grant supports the practice with expertise in agency disputes, commercial agreements, and sponsorship matters, often acting for high-profile players and athletes.

JMW Solicitors LLP advises across the sports sector, with clients including clubs, governing bodies and individual athletes. Mike Blood co-leads the team with Stephen Taylor Heath, specialising in corporate, finance and governance matters, particularly in club acquisitions and structuring issues in football, rugby, golf, and cricket. John Burns is a leading figure for sponsorship and naming rights agreements, advising football clubs and sports bodies, while Heath focuses on football, boxing, and golf, with strong experience in commercial contracts and regulatory matters including anti-doping issues. Claire Brown adds strong experience in sports litigation and arbitration proceedings, acting for clubs and athletes.

Farleys Solicitors LLP advises a broad range of sports clients, including unions, agents, athletes, promoters, broadcasters, and sponsors, on contractual, regulatory, and commercial matters. Daniel Draper leads the team, regularly representing managers and boxers in negotiations and disciplinary actions, and advising footballers on Premier League contract negotiations. Atif Nazir brings further expertise in commercial and disciplinary matters for current and former sports professionals.

Gateley Legal advises on brand licensing, sponsorship and commercial contracts, with a strong focus on the football industry. The practice is led by Nick Murrills, a litigation partner with experience in High Court and international sports disputes. The team acts for Premier League clubs, governing bodies, and high-profile individuals on regulatory, anti-doping, and policy review matters.

Manleys Solicitors, led by Mark Manley, advises clubs, players, agents, and associations on a wide range of legal and regulatory issues. The team regularly handles Rule K arbitrations, CAS and FIFA DRC cases, commission and contract disputes, disciplinary proceedings, and doping matters, as well as commercial agreements and fixture arrangements.