Operating ‘comfortably at the intersection of governance, investigations, disputes, and global regulation’, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP acts for a variety of high-profile organizations in the sports industry, from global governing bodies and leagues to financial institutions entering the sector. The New York-based team is relied upon for its full-service offering, regularly receiving repeat instructions from clients across both transactional and contentious matters. Recent highlights for the group includes a slew of instructions from FIFA concerning antitrust and corruption disputes. Experienced litigator Lynn Bayard is a recognized authority for leagues on player health and safety. Matthew Abbott has considerable experience guiding clients through strategic investments in sports teams. Chris Boehning maintains a strong book of work representing organizations and individuals in high-stakes litigation and arbitration, while Benjamin Goodchild’s expertise spans both M&A and real estate transactions. Marco Masotti has an established practice assisting private equity and capital funds in their sports-related investments.
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Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Paul, Weiss’s Sports practice stands out for its institutional gravitas and judgment. This is not a “sports boutique” approach, but a team that operates comfortably at the intersection of governance, investigations, disputes, and global regulation. Based on my experience, what differentiates them is their ability to handle the most sensitive, high-stakes matters in international sport, where legal excellence must be matched with credibility, discretion, and strategic awareness.'
- 'Compared to other firms, Paul Weiss brings unmatched experience advising sports governing bodies, a deep understanding of how these institutions function in practice, and seamless access to top-tier litigation and investigations capabilities. We particularly value the team’s clarity, restraint, and ability to navigate complex political and reputational environments.’
‘H. Christopher Boehning is among the very best in the field globally. He combines outstanding legal judgment with rare institutional credibility, built through years of work on complex governance and investigations matters, including at the highest levels of international sport. He is calm, principled, and highly effective in situations where the stakes could not be higher.'
- 'Beyond H. Christopher Boehning's technical excellence, he is a true pleasure to work with: collaborative, thoughtful, and deeply attuned to the client’s realities. His team reflects the same qualities—smart, rigorous, and fully engaged—making Paul Weiss a go-to firm for the most demanding sports-related mandates. You want to have Chris and his team by your side when it really matters.’
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Christopher Boehning
Other key lawyers
Lynn Bayard; Matthew Abbott; Chris Boehning; Benjamin Goodchild; Marco Masotti