Mr Paul Shapiro > Northridge Law LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Northridge Law LLP
90 Bartholomew Close
London
EC1A 7BN
England

Work Department

Corporate and Commercial

Position

Paul specialises in commercial and regulatory advice to clients in the sports and media sectors. Paul’s experience includes acting for athletes, brands and rights holders on sponsorship, licensing and merchandising programmes. He also regularly advises on governance issues and financial regulation in the sport and on player contracts, football transfers and image rights structures. In addition, Paul has particular experience in establishing new sports tournaments and competitions and advising on event hosting.

Recent work highlights include advising on: Betway’s global sponsorship programme a variety of endorsement and commercial deals for Dele Alli, Neymar Jr., Cesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry; a range of sports marketing and merchandising matters for Puma; and various football transfers and contract negotiations.

Career

2020 – Present: Partner, Northridge Law LLP

2017 – 2020: Managing Associate, Northridge Law LLP

2011 – 2017: Associate, Charles Russell Speechlys

2009 – 2011: Trainee, Charles Russell Speechlys

Languages

English

Education

BASL/ De Montfort Law School Diploma in Sports Law and Practice (2014)

University of Nottingham, LLB (2007)

Lawyer Rankings

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

(Next Generation Partners)

Paul ShapiroNorthridge Law LLP

Sports boutique Northridge Law LLP regularly works on high value sponsorship deals and corporate transactions – such as takeovers and sales – for elite football clubs. Practice co-heads Jonathan Ellis and Ian Lynam are routinely engaged on high-profile mandates within the industry, ranging from high-profile acquisitions to sponsorship agreements. Recent engagements for Ellis include work with the FA regarding the development of the women’s game and issues arising out of fan-led reviews. Jon Walters and Paul Shapiro are key commercial contacts for high-growth tech companies operating at the intersection of media, sports, marketing and advertising. Walters also works on venue hosting agreements for baseball and football events. James Eighteen is regularly sought out by major governing bodies for advice on horse-doping-related disciplinary proceedings, among other issues. Jamie Feldman supports on employment law matters. Oliver HarlandSarah Boulton and George Willis are all further names to note. Mike Herbert was promoted to partner in April 2023.

London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media: Advertising & marketing

Northridge Law LLP houses a team of ‘real specialists‘ who exhibit ‘deep industry knowledge‘ when acting for well known clients, including Spotify, Puma, and AEG Worldwide. Practice head Jon Walters has broad knowledge spanning sponsorship deals and commercial issues, and is ‘friendly and commercially astute‘ when assisting clients with expansion of sponsorship programmes and naming rights deals. Paul Shapiro  predominantly advising brands and athletes on licensing and merchandising matters, ensuring regulatory compliance is observed; and associate George Willis has a great deal of expertise in data protection, often negotiating endorsement deals between sporting clubs and media platforms.