Onside Law LLP > London, England > Firm Profile
Onside Law LLP Offices
642A King’s Road
London
SW6 2DU
England
Onside Law LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Sport Tier 1
Sports boutique Onside Law LLP leverages its network of offices in London, Switzerland and Australia to advise clubs, players, managers, international federations and intermediaries on both contentious and non-contentious matters. Co-founder Oliver Hunt
, regularly supported by associate Robin Cumming, is a key port of call for elite golfers and footballers in need of assistance on commercial and business mandates, including sponsorship deals, media, and image rights. Hunt also assists football clubs and competition rights holders. Chris Walsh, supported by newly promoted partner Ross Brown, are key advisors for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), working with the organisation on a range of disciplinary proceedings and investigations. Brown – alongside Jamie Singer, James Tobias and Ben Hanglin – also support governing bodies in rugby and tennis on anti-doping and anti-corruption matters that reach the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The quartet also also works with clients in rugby on sponsorship and media rights arrangements. Co-founder and head of the corporate team Simon Thorp works with legal director Harriet Leach, who is a key adviser to a number of female sporting organisations. Specialist technology and digital media practitioner Adam Leadercramer supports on sponsorship deals. Data privacy and protection expert Sophie Wilkinson supports recently promoted partner Leon Farr on instructions from world governing bodies on the hosting and bidding arrangements for major events. Contentious instructions are chiefly handled by commercial litigator Stevie Loughrey.
Practice head(s):
Oliver Hunt; Chris Walsh; Jamie Singer; Simon Thorp; Adam Leadercramer; Stevie Loughrey; Sophie Wilkinson; Ben Hanglin; Leon Farr
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘A top drawer firm steeped in knowledge and experience. Remarkable insight into a range of sports. Excellent partners, excellent associates.’
‘Chris Walsh is a go-to lawyer. Clever, realistic, wonderful with clients. Smooth, in a good way. Also fun. Ross Brown: a new partner. Completely dedicates himself to a case. Very committed. Hannah Kent is a superstar associate. All over the detail. Extraordinary memory. Never drops the ball.’
‘Harriet Leach’s comprehensive understanding of women’s sport, including current challenges and solutions. Extremely strong collaborator and extremely supportive. Simon Thorp has comprehensive understanding of sports sector; investment, good governance innovation, well-connected and highly supportive.’
‘Onside Law are one of our main legal service providers based on their top tier expertise of the sports sector and ability to handle complex matters in an efficient and cost-effective manner.’
‘Jamie Singer’s sports law knowledge and practicality are matched only by his client management skills and good humour.’
Ross Brown was recently promoted to partner and not before time. A real rising star in the sports law world.’
Key clients
England and Wales Cricket Board
World Rugby
Red Bull Racing
Jude Bellingham
AC Milan
Leeds United
West Ham United
ATP Media
Federation Internationale de Automobile
International Tennis Integrity Agency
Lawn Tennis Association
Rugby Football Union
Welsh Rugby Union
European Rugby
Extreme E
Matt Fitzpatrick
Work highlights
- Advised World Rugby on a fundamental restructure of how World Rugby organises and operates the Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cups.
- Advised The ECB across all regulatory and commercial matters including on the multiple disciplinary investigations and prosecutions against Yorkshire County Cricket Club and related individuals arising from Azeem Rafiq’s allegations.
- Assisted Leeds United with all of its footballing matters, including 30+ transfers, player matters, friendlies, tour agreements, and manager mandates.
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media: Digital content & social Tier 2
Sports boutique Onside Law LLP is best known for operating at the intersection between sports and media, with a particular strength in advising Web3 and NFT companies within the digital sports market, as well as sports governing bodies, clubs and rights-holders. Adam Leadercramer's expertise can be seen in advertising matters and live sports television production contracts; he heads up the practice alongside James Tobias, who handles the acquisition, production, licensing and exploitation of audiovisual content on traditional and digital media platforms. Recent team promotions include Tobias to partner in September 2022, and Roisín Cregan to senior associate in October 2022.Practice head(s):
James Tobias; Adam Leadercramer
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Exceptional commercially focused advice.’
‘They are clearly experts in their field and always provide succinct and timely advice.’
‘I work primarily with Adam Leadercramer and James Tobias. Both are commercially-minded and understand the business’ commercial drivers and tailor the legal advice with this in mind.’
‘Adam Leadercramer has provided extensive support on technology-related supplier agreements and has brought a wealth of experience and value to the process on each occasion.’
Key clients
ATP Media
Sorare
River Media Partners
Move.ai
Snack Media
Two Circles
InCrowd
AC Milan
World Rugby
Ellipse Data
England and Wales Cricket Board
Lawn Tennis Association
Mackenzie Weller
Mavis Broadcast
Work highlights
- Advised Sorare on multiple digital content licensing deals with football leagues, clubs and players, including a high-profile deal with the Premier League.
- Advised Two Circles on its acquisition of LiveWire Sport – a leading independent digital content agency.
- Advised Move.ai on a number of strategic collaborations and partnerships with leading media and entertainment companies.
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media: Film & TV Tier 2
Sports law boutique Onside Law LLP is best known for advising sports-related talent on broadcast appearances, as well as rights holders and broadcasters on licensing arrangements that concern media rights, production and content distribution. James Tobias – who was promoted to partner in September 2022 – handles contractual arrangements relating to the licensing of sports media rights and the production and exploitation of original content. Founding partner Jamie Singer is further noted for his commercial practice.Practice head(s):
James Tobias; Jamie Singer
Testimonials
‘Exceptional commercially focused advice. They are experts in their field and always provide succinct and timely advice.’
‘Adam Leadercramer and James Tobias are commercially-minded and understand the business’ commercial drivers and tailor the legal advice with this in mind.’
Adam Leadercramer has provided extensive support on tech-related supplier agreements and has brought a wealth of experience and value to the process on each occasion.’
Key clients
ATP Media
Snack Media
Progress Productions
Starwing
Mark Chapman
Naomi Schiff
River Media Partners
BeIN Sports
Two Circles
Mike Tindall
Boulder Creek International
Stephen Hendry
EPCR
World Rugby
West Ham
Lawn Tennis Association
Avidity Talent
Work highlights
- Advised Mike Tindall MBE on his participation in the well-known television series, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, in sensitive discussions.
- Advised Stephen Hendry on his participation in the well-known television series, The Masked Singer.
- Advised beIN Sports on a number of broadcast licence and media rights arrangements for a range of live sports programming, as well as advising on various original productions in line with strategic objectives to produce more content in-house.
Onside Law LLP > Firm Profile
Founded in 2005, Onside Law are the pioneers of boutique sports law, with unrivalled sector knowledge and experience.
The firm specialises in tackling complex and high-profile issues for the biggest names in sport and media – as trusted advisors, not just lawyers.
Their lawyers blend top legal skills with a deep understanding of sport and media business, to provide pragmatic, user friendly, well thought through advice based on a genuine feel for the issues their clients face.
Onside Law deliver this with modest overheads and minimal bureaucracy, allowing for flexible fee structures and working arrangements.
Representative clients: AC Milan, Jude Bellingham, ATP Media, ECB, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Jannik Sinner, England Netball, 6 Nations, RFU, FIBA, FIA, Football Australia, INEOS, ITIA, LTA, Leeds United FC, FIFA, RedBull Racing, Two Circles, Sportable, UKAD, West Ham United FC, Gloucester Rugby, World Rugby
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial | Jamie Singer | jamie.singer@onsidelaw.co.uk | |
| Commercial | Oliver Hunt | oliver.hunt@onsidelaw.co.uk | |
| Commercial | Adam Leadercramer | adam.leadercramer@onsidelaw.co.uk | |
| Commercial | Sophie Wilkinson | sophie.wilkinson@onsidelaw.co.uk | |
| Commercial | Leon Farr | leon.farr@onsidelaw.co.uk | |
| Commercial | James Tobias | james.tobias@onsidelaw.co.uk | |
| Corporate | Simon Thorp | simon.thorp@onsidelaw.co.uk | |
| Corporate | Ben Hanglin | ben.hanglin@onsidelaw.co.uk | |
| Litigation and Arbitration | Chris Walsh | chris.walsh@onsidelaw.co.uk | |
| Litigation and Arbitration | Stevie Loughrey | stevie.loughrey@onsidelaw.co.uk | |
| Litigation and Arbitration | Ross Brown | ross.brown@onsidelaw.co.uk | |
| Employment | Alex Clarke | alexander.clarke@onsidelaw.co.uk | |
| Data Protection | Roisín Cregan | roisin.cregan@onsidelaw.co.uk | |
| Onside Law Switzerland | Jerry McGrath | jerry.mcgrath@onsidelaw.ch | |
| Onside Law Australia | Kendall Perry | kendall.perry@onsidelaw.com.au |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
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Ross Brown | Ross is particularly known for his regulatory dispute experience through acting for… | View Profile |
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Leon Farr | Leon advises stakeholders across the sports industry, including international federations, national governing… | View Profile |
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Ben Hanglin | Ben has advised on various high profile deals in the sport industry.… | View Profile |
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Oliver Hunt | Oliver is a Commercial lawyer, and is well known for acting for… | View Profile |
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Harriet Leach | Harriet Leach is a Legal Director and Head of Women’s Football. Harriet… | View Profile |
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Adam Leadercramer | Adam acts for a broad range of clients including individuals, rightsholders, teams,… | View Profile |
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Stevie Loughrey | In the Legal 500 he is described as “an outstanding partner. He’s… | View Profile |
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Jerry McGrath | Jerry’s clients include international sports federations and competitions, such as the International… | View Profile |
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Jonathan Morgan | Jon is uniquely placed to advise on both commercial and competition law… | View Profile |
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Jamie Singer | Co-founding partner Jamie Singer has been advising on high profile commercial, intellectual… | View Profile |
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Simon Thorp | Simon acts for a broad range of clients including investors, founders, business… | View Profile |
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James Tobias | James specialises in advising clients at the intersect of sports, media and… | View Profile |
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Chris Walsh | Chris’ long-term clients include the England and Wales Cricket Board and a… | View Profile |
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Sophie Wilkinson | Sophie has significant experience advising on staging and licensing agreements for major… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Partners : 12 Additional fee earning team : 23Languages
English French Italian Spanish DutchMemberships
British Association for Sport and Law Higher Rights of Audience Sport Resolutions National Panel England Boxing Disciplinary PanelClient Testimonials
CLIENT: Red Bull Racing, Head of Legal
“I value extremely highly the exceptional experience and expertise of the Onside Law team. They really understand the commercial and sporting environment in which we operate and always tailor their advice accordingly as part of an all-round high-quality legal service.”
CLIENT: World Rugby, CEO
“Onside Law have a team of technical but pragmatic lawyers, with a deep knowledge of sports governing body and event owner structures. We find them very user friendly and easy to work with.”
CLIENT: England and Wales Cricket Board, CEO
“Onside Law’s advice and judgment on numerous complex and high-profile matters has been first class, and their personable and highly responsive team has become a seamless and integral part of the ECB’s operations at all levels.”
CLIENT: Two Circles, Group General Counsel
“Aside from the first-rate legal services, each member of the team at Onside has represented us in a very collaborative spirit and positive manner throughout, which has been much appreciated and is crucial to the way we at Two Circles want to do things.”
CLIENT: AC Milan, Chief Revenue Officer
“We have come to really value Onside Law as trusted legal advisors
to AC Milan. Each member of the Onside team has a high level of technical expertise and understands the quality of output we are looking for. Onside’s ability to react quickly and deliver knowledgeable recommendations across a broad range of topics has brought real added value to a number of our commercial discussions.”
CLIENT: Jude Bellingham, Mark Bellingham
“A massive thank you to Onside Law who helped us sift through all the legal stuff and made the complicated simple.”