Acting for governing bodies, sporting clubs and high-profile athletes, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP routinely provides ‘detailed and thorough guidance’ in cross-border joint ventures, M&A and disposals. On the commercial side, the team stands out for its knowledge in sports data rights and sponsorship deals, while boasting a regulatory offering centred around governance and anti-doping cases. Based out of London and Cheltenham, Richard Davies leads the outfit, being an expert in the sportstech space. Jason Saiban specialises in sports marketing issues, while Edward Craig is knowledgeable in the horseracing sector. Nic Couchman concentrates on sporting rights law, while Keir Gordon, Nick White and Danielle Sharkey are all highlighted as contacts for transactional and litigious matter.
L’éditorial du Legal 500

Témoignages

Collectés indépendamment par l'équipe de recherche du Legal 500.

  • ‘The associates are hardworking and available.’

  • ‘Keir Gordon and his team are sports industry specialists and extremely experienced. They are approachable and always available, coordinate/collaborate well with other advisers and are flexible to the dynamic nature of the projects they work on. They understand the nuances of the sector – and the characters involved – and are able to find pragmatic solutions to challenges on deals (important in the sports industry) which sets them apart from other advisers.’

  • ‘Keir Gordon has led every sports deal we have worked on with CRS. He has significant industry and sector experience, is very well connected, and is able to calmly navigate challenges on deals and find solutions. He and his team are a pleasure to work with and collaborate well with clients and other advisers.’

  • ‘The team has a unique blend of experience in the sports sector meaning that they are able to provide detailed and thorough guidance regardless of the circumstances. They come up with novel, outside-of-the-box, solutions that provide multiple progressive options. They are very accommodating and will always look for billing solutions where necessary. They are willing to discuss sporting issues and are clearly very knowledgeable on current issues within the industry.’

  • ‘Danielle Sharkey is very familiar in the issues that arise at a sports organisation and is expertly placed to provide dependable advice that balances the interests of the organisation against the various risks. Her candid advice is essential for a fast-moving and high-profile sport and is attributed to her experience in the industry. No doubt also helped by access to a wide skillset range at the firm who are also very approachable in Danielle's absence.’

  • ‘Good experience in the sports sector within the team.’

  • ‘Richard Davies – very responsive and knowledgeable, a calm head.'

  • 'Jason Saiban – our relationship partner, always keen to assist.’

Clients clés

  • The International Tennis Federation (ITF)
  • Nike
  • Ascot Racecourse
  • Marcus Rashford MBE
  • Wasserman Boxing Limited
  • British Swimming
  • Portas Consulting
  • Thomas Sandgaard (Charlton Athletic Football Company Limited & Charlton Athletic Womens Football Club Limited)
  • Hussain AlSaeed (Bristol Rovers Football Club)
  • Diane Culligan (London City Lionesses)

Points forts

  • Acting on six high-profile acquisitions and disposals of English football clubs for private investors.
  • Acting as Nike’s prime UK lawyers; advising it across all sponsorship and sports marketing work, including this year drafting and negotiating the creative services agreements for the Parisian agencies working with Nike on its Olympics marketing initiatives.
  • Acting for the ITF as its go-to advisers for its most complex and business-critical matters across multiple legal disciplines.

Avocats

Hall of Fame

Avocats au sommet de leur profession, largement reconnus et respectés par l'ensemble du marché pour leur expertise éprouvée et leur intervention récurrente et longue date dans les dossiers les plus complexes et prestigieux.

Les grands avocats du marché

Avocats associés reconnus parmi les leaders du marché par leurs pairs et leurs clients, régulièrement présents dans les grands dossiers dans lesquels ils sont au premier plan.

Les grands avocats de demain

Jeunes associés disposant d’une reconnaissance montante sur le marché, jouant régulièrement un rôle clé dans des dossiers majeurs.

Meilleurs collaborateurs

Jeunes avocats collaborateurs ou counsels qui se distinguent régulièrement par leur présence dans des dossiers importants du marché, et qui sont identifiés par le marché comme de jeunes talents à suivre.

Responsable de la pratique

Richard Davies

Autres avocats clés

Jason Saiban; Edward Craig; Nic Couchman; Keir Gordon; Nick White; Danielle Sharkey; Lin Boutong; Tom Smitham