Brandsmiths retains its strong foothold in the sports sector. The firm is regularly instructed by leading clubs, players, agents, and governing bodies on a wide spectrum of work spanning regulatory, commercial, litigation, and media-related issues. A core focus is football, where the team routinely represents both clubs and talent on a range of player transfer, contractual and commercial matters. Tom Keane co-heads the Sport, Media and Entertainment Group, alongside David Seligman, and is trusted a counsel to many clients operating within the football industry. Keane has vast experience in structuring football transactions. Michael Forrester heads the litigation branch of the team, and is capable of handling urgent reputation management matters for high-profile talent. Adam Morallee has experience in boxing and motorsport, as well as football.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The team at Brandsmiths are highly responsive, commercial and pragmatic.’
- ‘Tom Keane is an exceptional individual, with a unique insight into the football sector in particular.’
Key clients
- Manchester United FC
- Burnley FC
Work highlights
Advising a Premier League club on a significant contractual and IP dispute, and several of the club’s principal partnership agreements, including with hummel, socios.com and The Turmeric Co.
Practice head
Tom Keane; David Seligman; Michael Forrester
Other key lawyers
Adam Morallee