4www.lemansolicitors.comLeman Solicitors, 8-34 Percy Place, Dublin 4

SPORTS LAW

The Sports industry has undergone prolific change in the last decade, with the challenges of professionalism, the emphasis on governance and the ongoing funding issues that affects every athlete, club and governing body. Athletes and governing bodies are coming together to create high performance units with excellent results. Club membership is under pressure for a variety of financial reasons with the very existence of some under threat. National Governing bodies are increasingly sophisticated organisations, learning from past mistakes and determined to create an environment that encourages participation and investment from stakeholders. At Leman Solicitors, we are specialist advisors to athletes, clubs and governing bodies.

Larry FenelonLarry is an experts in Sports law. He advises the GAA central council at DRA sports arbitration. Larry regularly chairs the FAI disciplinary and appeal hearings. He has represented athletes at Olympic, international and domestic levels in challenge cases. Larry is a keys advisor to over 25 sports governing bodies in Ireland. He is at the forefront of Sports arbitration in Ireland, and has lectured extensively in Sports Law.Telephone: +353 (0)1 639 3000Email: lfenelon@lemansolicitors.com

Over 1.7 million that actively participate in Sport in Ireland with over 270,000 adults who volunteer in sport each week. There are 64 National Governing Bodies in Ireland and 12,000 clubs. The industry is worth over 1.8 billion to Ireland annually and makes up 1.4% of the GDP. Over 38,000 people are employed through sport and sport related activities. Sport-related tourism supports almost 3,000 jobs with 150,000 sporting contributing 110 million to the economy annually.

CONTACT

THE INDUSTRY

We aim to provide value to our clients through a variety of innovations such as:

ExpertiseWith over 20 years combined experience our sports law team bring efficiencies to resolving the common challenges of athletes, clubs and sports bodies. Our hourly rates are substantially below our competitors.

TransparencyWe provide online access to insurers to our files, giving real time progress on both files and costs.We are one of the first Irish law firms to provide a Client Extranet Service.

ReportingWe provide an initial report on liability and quantum, to enable them to manage their technical reserve in relation to each claim. We also provide monthly progress reports.

Cost ManagementAs part of our service offering we can agree fee arrangements at the outset of an instruction.We are amenable to provide a discount on a volume basis.

VALUE

SPORTS LAW

4 1

We act for 25 of the national governing bodies in Ireland, from the smallest to the largest organisations. We are the official legal partners to the Federation of Irish Sport, the umbrella body representing sports governing bodies in Ireland. We are regularly instructed on a variety of legal issues, which are consistently complex but which always have a workable solution.

GOVERNING BODIES

• Poor Governance • Disciplinary problems• Sponsorship funding• Athlete contracts• Internal disputes

• Managing governance structures • Legal assessor at Disciplinary hearings• Sponsorship negotiations• Contract negotiation• Mediation

LEGAL CHALLENGES: LEGAL SOLUTIONS:

“‘The Irish Gymnastics Board

partnered with Leman’s in 2009

and is completely satisfied that our legal interests are

in the best possible hands.’ - CIARAN

GALLAGHER CEO of Irish

Gymnastics Ltd

We act for a number of professional sports men and woman who are lucky enough to make a living from professional sport. Their livelihood is short lived and as well as being the best they aim to maximise endorsements and sponsorship fees. They often need protection in contract negotiation. Leman Solicitors provides a personalised service to professional athletes in a variety of sports.

ATHLETES

• Contract deals• Sponsorship• Discipline• Anti Doping• Image Rights• Employment disputes

• Contract Negotiations • Sponsorship agreements• Representation at hearings• Representation at hearings• IP Protection • Employment experts

LEGAL CHALLENGES: LEGAL SOLUTIONS:

“Leman Solicitors

understand

the needs of

a professional

really well. They

provide a super

service and their

specialist know

how has made a

big difference to

me”.- BERNARD

DUNNE

2 3

Clubs are the fabric of our communities. They provide a network of participants, athletes, supporters and officers. They are complex organisations full of legacy and personalities. Increasingly Clubs are under financial pressure and have concerns over public liability claims. We act for many clubs of every conceivable code.

CLUBS

• Trustee exposure• Internal disputes• Questionable title to property• Sponsorship funding • Sale of alcohol • Debt management

• Contract Negotiations • Drafting Memoranda and Constitutions

• Advice on title and sporting leases• Sponsorship agreements• Liquor licensing applications• Restructuring advice

LEGAL CHALLENGES: LEGAL SOLUTIONS:

Their on point legal advice is always delivered with a

true understanding of sporting

organisations and in a personable fashion. The

feedback from our member

organisations has been resoundingly positive. - SARAH O’CONNOR, CEO, Federation of Irish

Sport