Mr David Hinchliffe > Walker Morris LLP > Leeds, England > Lawyer Profile

Walker Morris LLP
33 Wellington Street
LEEDS
LS1 4DL
England

Work Department

Sport

Position

Partner and Head of Sport

Career

Having come from a background of football restructuring, David has developed specialist expertise advising on the acquisitions and disposals of football clubs, acting for both buyers and sellers, and is well regarded as one of the key advisers in the country in this field. David has advised on three Premier League and five Championship sales/purchases in the past few months alone (completing five sales/purchases in the past twelve months).

David and the team were recently described by Legal 500 as being “singled out for providing advice that is always tailored to clients needs”.

David enjoys living the highs and lows with his clients and is truly part of the clients’ team. He fights hard for his clients and strongly believes that if his client loses then he loses. He prides himself on always being readily accessible to his clients. He seeks not only to give the very best legal advice but also sees it as his duty to find solutions to problems and is recognised as being “sharp, to the point, and does not take prisoners.” (Chambers UK). Having him as part of your team hugely increases your chance of success.

Lawyer Rankings

Yorkshire and the Humber > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Sport

(Leading individuals)

David HinchliffeWalker Morris LLP

Considered ‘one of the best, if not the best, solicitors teams working within sport’, Walker Morris LLP has an impressive roster of football clients and frequently assists clubs with buyouts, commercial agreements, and regulatory matters. Practice lead David Hinchliffe has extensive experience in football finance matters and maintains strong relations with clubs such as AFC Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion. The team also leverages a strong litigation offering, with key contacts Charlotte Smith and Matthew Lingard regularly acting in employment and corporate disputes. Regulatory expert Christian Slinger is also a key name to note. Alistair McHenry left the firm in April 2022, while the firm welcomed Tim Howden in October of the same year.

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

(Leading individuals)

David HinchliffeWalker Morris LLP

The Leeds-based Walker Morris LLP‘s sports team – led by David Hinchliffe and supported by directors Christian Slinger and Charlotte Smith as well as India Swall – focuses on football matters, particularly the sale and purchase of football clubs, and Football Association (FA) regulatory charges concerning breaches involving player transfers and intermediaries. Slinger – noted for his experience of working on football sector M&A – is a key port of call for for a number of clubs in the Premier League, the English Football League and the National League, while Smith routinely assists on employment aspects.