Stephen O'Flaherty > Lewis Silkin > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Drawing on its strengths as an international full-service firm, Lewis Silkin advises multinational corporates as well as start-ups on all their business immigration needs in sectors such as financial services, tech, oil and gas and sports. The group has extensive experience with applications like Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility and Global Talent, and has additional expertise in the full range of Sponsor Licenses issues, including obtainment, overturning revocations, civil penalties under illegal working legislation, compliance and audits. Leading the team, Andrew Osborne advises across the full range of business and personal immigration, including strategic advice relating to recruitment, right to work and applications outside immigration rules. Supinder Singh Sian regularly advises on UK in-bound immigration and global mobility programs with niche capabilities in International Agreement Contractual Service Supplier sponsorship, whilst Stephen O’Flaherty has particular expertise advising on a broad range of immigration issues in the tech and sports sector. The ‘excellent‘ Naomi Hanrahan-Soar who is an expert in Sponsor License compliance issues and immigration work relating to M&A, and the ‘steadfast and impressive‘ Sam Koppel, who has broad experience advising on UK and global immigration projects, are also key contacts.

Leveraging a strong commercial offering, alongside contentious expertise in contractual disputes and sexual misconduct investigations, Lewis Silkin specialises in sports immigration and tech law proceedings. The practice routinely represents athletes, federations and investors involved in appointments and transfers, with Alex Kelham co-heading from London, being an expert in sports sponsorship and commercial rights deals. From Belfast, Stephen O’Flaherty co-leads, consistently advising football clubs and governing bodies, while Oxford-based Jonathan Carr is experienced in employment and safeguarding matters. John Shea often focuses on sporting arbitration tribunals, and JJ Shaw handles IP issues within sport.