Day in the life - A sports lawyer

“As a sports lawyer I have a very wide practice which includes looking after the interests of sports men and women, teams, and governing bodies. For individuals this involves advising on legal issues as well as the routine management issues including negotiating employment and sponsorship contracts.

I am interested in all forms of sport and having an appreciation of what motivates particular sports

clients, coupled with knowledge of market forces helps me maximize my clients’ potential. My dual role as Head of definitive and Head of Private Client at Dolmans, allows me to bring my professionalism and private client skills into the competitive world of the sports industry.

In the past I have played rugby both at amateur and semiprofessional level and I have a keen interest in the rugby world. However definitive. operates in a very wide spectrum of sports, both professional and amateur, from athletics and gymnastics to rugby and football.

We have assisted a number of high profile sports stars including, David Davies, Nathan Stephens, and Jamie Robinson, in connection with Matters on which they have required legal advice or  assistance with sponsorship.

Acting as a sports lawyer each day is different, presenting new and varied challenges. It may involve liaising with a number of our clients, managers, coaches and directors to ensure that we are aware of any issues and opportunities upon which we can advise. We also ensure that we develop the business on a daily basis, speaking to potential new clients, employers and sponsors to build future relations, as well as assisting clients when contractual issues arise.

To be a successful sports lawyer you need to be passionate about and understand, sports– not just the game, but also the politics and business behind it.

Whilst it is important that you are approachable and build a rapport with the negotiating parties, your clients needs to be confident that you are the right person to fight their corner in situations which can be highly stressful for them. Finding the right balance being amenable in most respects but being prepared to be adversarial when necessary is an important feature of the role. You also need to be thick skinned because this is an incredibly hard business to break into. It is one thing setting yourself up in sports law, but another to get clients and build a reputation.

The potential depends on two things: your networking skills and your ability to secure clients that employers and sponsors want. It is important that you present a professional image but ultimately if you represent a sports person who is in demand and that you have that person’s trust people will want to do business with you.

For further information visit www.definitivesportsagents.com.

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