Charles Russell Speechlys Joins Forces With Couchmans

Law firm Charles Russell Speechlys has announced that the partners and staff of Couchmans LLP will be joining the firm on 22 January 2018.

By combining its full-service s‎ports law offering with Couchmans’ s‎ports law boutique service, Charles Russell Speechlys will be well placed to advise clients internationally on all the legal and strategic issues that they may encounter in the s‎ports and related technology, media and lifestyle sectors. ‎

Couchmans is a Tier 1 boutique practice and has been one of the leading brands in sports law for nearly two decades.  Their 11 strong team advises clients operating in the sports, media, technology and lifestyle sectors around the world. It was founded in 2001 by Nic Couchman, who will become Head of Sport at Charles Russell Speechlys.

The arrival of the Couchmans team coincides with the appointment of Darren Bailey as a consultant. Darren was previously Director of Football Governance and Regulation at The FA, and is a leading expert in sports law, integrity and regulation.      

James Carter, Managing Partner at Charles Russell Speechlys, said: “We are delighted to join forces with Couchmans. Charles Russell Speechlys has been at the forefront of providing legal advice to the sports sector for over 100 years and has acted in many of the leading cases and projects that have helped to shape what is now known as sports law.  The addition of the market leading Couchmans team is a bold and innovative step forward for both firms and creates what we believe will quickly become the pre-eminent international sports sector legal practice. We firmly believe that through this combination, we will stay at the cutting edge of the sports business as it becomes increasingly global. Clients will have access to a commercially orientated, sector specialist service on a full service international platform, but will continue to benefit from the personal attention that is the hallmark of both firms.”

Nic Couchman commented: “Charles Russell Speechlys provides the perfect platform for us.  Both firms are immersed in this sector and have a track record of innovation and working on ground breaking projects. We have helped to shape and guide the change and growth in the sports sector over two decades.  This exciting next step in our development allows us to meet the needs of our clients who want sector specialist advice across the full range of legal disciplines with a global outlook. We intend to set a new standard for sports law firms, not just in the UK, but internationally.”