Counting a stellar variety of sports clubs, governing bodies and Olympic federations among its key roster of clients, Irwin Mitchell is noted for its expansive capabilities across litigation, IP and regulatory issues arising from a host of different sports, including football, rugby and cricket. Gatwick-based Tom Barnard heads up the firm’s offering with his vast experience in advising athletes, agents, clubs and commercial entities with complex and high-profile issues, alongside Chichester’s Michael Taylor, who bolsters the practice with his considerable knowledge in the realm of tax compliance. In Brighton, Martha Kent is well-versed in a diverse array of commercial issues, such as IP rights and contractual management for a litany of sports teams.

Spearheaded by IP expert Sarah Lima, Dentons provides a full-service offering to sports teams, retailers, governing bodies and broadcasters, demonstrating considerable prowess across a multitude of commercial, corporate, employment and dispute mandates. In Milton Keynes, Rose McDowall's arsenal of skills encompasses sports broadcasting, event staging and club infrastructure mandates. Kate Coppack primarily focuses on employment law issues arising within the sport sector, while Rukia Khatun is well-positioned to advise on the manufacturing side. Esther Rusling is another name to note in the practice.

Moore Law deploys its substantial expertise at the intersection of sports, gaming and media to advise notable athletes, coaches and organisations. Steering the group is seasoned practitioner Mike Townley, who draws upon his experience operating in-house with the International Paralympic Committee to advise on cross-border contentious and non-contentious issues. Tris Moore is another name to note, bolstering the practice with his commercial, IP and tech skillset within the sector. The team is based in Brighton.

RWK Goodman enjoys an established presence within the racing and bloodstock space, routinely engaged to handle a plethora of jockey disputes, specialist bloodstock agreements and sponsorship contracts, among other issues. The team is led by London and Oxford-based Richard Brooks, who particularly excels within dispute resolution, personal injury and regulatory matters. In Oxford, Charlotte Ebbutt is noted for her commercial contract expertise and extensive knowledge of the racing industry.

Highly regarded for its experience in handling football club acquisitions, IP issues and sponsorship disputes, among other issues, Stevens & Bolton LLP maintains a wide-ranging practice that spans football, motorsport, golf and cricket-related matters. Helming the practice from Guildford is Charles Maurice, whose experience operating for clubs, unions, sponsors and player management companies is a valuable asset to the team, and Tom Collins, who is entrusted by clubs, organisations and athletes with a multitude of IP mandates.

Active across the equestrian, football, gymnastics and motorsports areas, Moore Barlow retains a varied client base that extends across athletes, coaches and clubs. Guildford’s Daniel Baker and Benjamin Millward co-lead the team, leveraging their skillset on the regulatory and disciplinary side of the field to operate for several notable organisations. In Southampton, Sarah Jordan strengthens the team’s offering with her equine law capabilities, while Chris Marsden brings his prowess in sponsorship, supply and distribution agreements to the group.