Mills & Reeve LLP‘s Birmingham office has amassed a wealth of experience in contentious, regulatory and commercial sports law, with a prominent focus on the football industry. On the contentious side, Mark Hovell, who is based in Manchester, stands out for his substantial track record in hearing cases before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland. Richard Santy in Birmingham is also well known for his strength in litigation, specifically in relation to employment disputes involving football clubs and athletes across a range of sports, including golf and cycling. Carol Couse, who is based in Manchester, is recommended for her expertise in regulatory and commercial sports law, while senior associate Phil Hutchinson stands out for his work acting on behalf of professional athletes in high-profile disputes.

With a large team across the UK, Squire Patton Boggs is well positioned to handle significant M&A, regulatory matters, commercial agreements and employment litigation involving major football clubs and other prominent sporting organisations. David Hull has built a strong reputation as a result of handling numerous M&A transactions for football clubs. On the non-contentious side, Charlie Frost is a core member of the team and is singled out for advising clients on complex employment law matters, while Simon Jones stands out for his diverse commercial sports practice. At a more junior level, senior associate Sarah Wilkinson is a standout lawyer, with a particular focus on employment issues.