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

Lewis Silkin
Arbor
255 Blackfriars Rd
LONDON
SE1 9AX
England

Work Department

Employment, Immigration and Reward

Position

Partner

Career

Stephen is a Managing Associate working in the sport, fashion & entertainment and technology sectors.

Stephen advises sports clubs and agencies on the international transfer of players and coaches with a focus on football. He works closely with recruitment and analysis teams to review player’s eligibility for Governing Body Endorsements and advise on appeals where they do not meet the automatic criteria. He also advises on visa applications under Tier 5 and Tier 2 for players, coaches and their families. His recent work includes:

  • Advising a football club on the recruitment and hire of a management team
  • Acting for clubs on 8 GBE appeals in summer 2018, all successful
  • Acting on the transfer of 12 players in Premier League and Championship during summer 2018
  • Advising clubs on issues relating to ‘Professional Sports person’ and their recruitment at Academy level
  • Advising clubs and providing training on the potential impacts of Brexit

Memberships

Stephen is a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association.

Education

Stephen holds a Bachelor of Arts (2003) and a Bachelor of Laws (2008) awarded by National University of Ireland, Galway. Stephen qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2012 after completing the Legal Practice Course.

Lawyer Rankings

London > Employment > Immigration

(Next Generation Partners)

Stephen O’Flaherty  – Lewis Silkin

Lewis Silkin has particular strength in the sport and creative industries, but has the capability to handle the full range of immigration issues for multinationals, start-ups, private, and HNW clients. Andrew Osborne deploys his significant immigration expertise as practice head, actively lobbying on behalf of clients and providing advice on strategic and complex immigration mandates. Naomi Hanrahan-Soar was promoted to partner in March 2023, and has a base in the science and technology sectors, with a track record advising both HNW individuals and corporate clients. Supinder Sian works with a number of major corporate clients in relation to UK inbound immigration, global mobility programs, and broader pan-European immigration matters, with niche expertise in the International Agreement contractual service supplier sponsorship. Stephen O’Flaherty assists numerous tech clients, but is primarily noted for his aptitude in handling the transfer of players and coaches in the sports industry.

London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Sport

Lewis Silkin is praised by one client for its ‘particular, leading strength in brand protection in sport’. Practice co-chair Alex Kelham advises on an array of matters, ranging from contentious issues concerning both athletes and governing bodies, to IP and image rights agreements. Kelham co-heads the team with Jonathan Carr, who focuses on employment and contractual matters for household clubs from the worlds of football and rugby. Andrew Osborne is the team’s specialist sports immigration practitioner, while Stephen O’Flaherty notably advises football, cricket and rugby teams on recruitment and transfer of players and coaches. Deputy co-chair John Shea remains a key name to note.