Northridge Law LLP– Europe’s largest sport law boutique- boasts a client roster that spans clubs, governing bodies, investors, and corporates. Following a further year of expansion, clients continue to turn to the firm for high-profile and business-critical matters at the pinnacle of sport, such as the sale of Everton FC to The Friedkin Group and Red Bull on its investment in Leeds United’s ownership group. The firm remains at the forefront of cricket’s structural transformation, having advised on investment in the Oval Invincibles and Yorkshire CCC on the restructuring of the Northern Superchargers. Many of the aforementioned transactional matters were led by Ian Lynam, who is described as having ‘great intellect and commercial awareness’. James Eighteen and Jonathan Ellis are go-to litigators who receive mandates from some of football’s most notable clients, including the FA and various Premier League clubs. Jon Walters and Paul Shapiro have a deep understanding of the commercial and regulatory landscapes, whilst Jamie Feldman heads the firm’s employment practice.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Boutique law firm with specialist sports knowledge but offering services of a magic circle firm.’
‘Northridge Law is in the very top drawer of sport law practices in the UK. Their work in both the contentious and non-contentious fields is of the highest quality and for the biggest names in the sector.’
‘Jon Ellis is extremely well-respected in the sector: he is one of the very best partners in the field practising in the UK. His impressive client list has been earned from a combination of very deep sector expertise and exceptionally good judgment.'
'Ian Lynam's knowledge of commercial deal-making, especially in football, is second-to-none. Will Moir is a rising star. He is already operating at levels of maturity and strategic vision that one would associate with a partner.'
‘The fact that Northridge is a specialist sport law firm, covering the full range from commercial and transactional work to regulatory matters, means that the firm's whole team is expert in the advice and representation that they provide, and have sufficient experience of the sector to make sure that that expertise is efficiently and effectively deployed. That expertise and experience provides top notch representation in the field, which has its own specific characteristics which must be understood and managed.’
‘I have worked most with Jon Ellis, Ian Lynam, James Eighteen and Sarah Boulton amongst the partners, Oliver Harland and Will Moir amongst the associates. All are excellent, with particular individuals having particular sub-specialisms, such as Jon Ellis' regulatory expertise, Ian Lynam's transactional expertise.'
Key clients
- The FA
- Chelsea FC
- The Premier League
- Newcastle United FC
- Blue Heaven Holdings Limited (previous owner of 94.1% of Everton FC)
- Women’s Professional Leagues Limited
- Betway / Super Group
- RedBird
- StatsBomb
- LIV Golf
- Welsh Rugby Union (WRU)
- Premiership Rugby (PRL)
Work highlights
Advised Blue Heaven Holdings on the sale of its 97% stake in Everton FC to the Friedkin Group.
Acted for The FA on the transfer of its ownership of the top two tiers of women’s professional football in England to a new independent company, Women’s Professional Leagues Limited.
Successfully represented Newcastle United FC in its dispute with Sports Direct before the Competition Appeal Tribunal and subsequent settlement.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
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Leading partners
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Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Other key lawyers
Jonathan Ellis; Ian Lynam; Jon Walters; James Eighteen; Paul Shapiro; Jamie Feldman; Mike Herbert; Sarah Boulton; George Willis; Victoria Scopes; Phillipa Scott; Will Moir; Oliver Harland