Successful sports lawyers, it just so happens they are all women

Lara Hayward, Legal Counsel, UK Sport

1. Be bold and talk to people who are doing what you want to do. Although I’m sure she won’t remember now, I emailed Sara Sutcliffe (previously Director of Legal at the British Olympic Association and now Chief Executive of English Table Tennis Association) way back in 2006, before I’d even started my training contract, to ask about her experiences and for some advice on getting into sports law. She sent back a very helpful and comprehensive email and it’s something I will always be grateful for. People are generally very willing to help those that show real enthusiasm for the sector. Plus it helps build your network, something that is invaluable within sport!
2. When making job applications, highlight any sport skills and experience outside of law, as well as your legal experience. Getting into sports law is now so much more competitive, so you really need to think about what sets you apart! I am sure that my sports event experience and thorough knowledge of sport as a sector was as important to my current employer as my legal background.
3. Look to gain as much practical experience as possible. Outside of my day to day work, I have been volunteering in sport for about ten years now - working at a lot of triathlon events (which I still do) and as a Non-Exec Director (NED) for the Paralympic NGB, GB Boccia. I got the NED role before I became a sports lawyer, and I’m sure that having experience in sport at a strategic level also bolstered my application.

Louise Millington-Roberts, Partner, Hill Dickinson

Mary Guest, Head of Legal – Commercial, The Football Association

1. [This answer is to the original question for advice specifically for aspiring women sports lawyers] Don’t focus on the fact that you are a woman, and certainly don’t let that put you off – Whilst inevitably there are sometimes occasions where being female is relevant, in my experience they are few and far between. There will of course be the quips about women not knowing anything about football, but the fact that I am a woman has never been relevant in my role. That said, there are now groups and networking opportunities specifically for women in football and women in sport, and these offer great opportunities that I would definitely recommend are taken up.
2. Attend networking opportunities and get to know people – The world of sports law is still quite a small one, and so the more people you can get to know in the field the better. There are lots of networking opportunities in sport, in sports law and for women in sport: try and get to as many events as possible and get to know as many people as possible – these people can become your colleagues, mentors and friends. 
3. Show your interest in sport – Most people who want to become sports lawyers are genuinely interested in sport. Whilst this isn’t a prerequisite, if this is the case then make sure you demonstrate it. Often people looking to move into sporting roles are coming from roles where their experience is not totally relevant. Demonstrating a genuine passion for sport will help somebody reading your CV understand why you want to move and why they should consider you. Whether this is through attending relevant legal courses, coaching a youth team, playing, watching or in some other way, it will help your CV stand out.

Sara Sutcliffe, Chief Executive Officer, Table Tennis England

Nikki Dryden, Associate, Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy

Genevieve Gordon, Principal, Tactic Counsel

1. Be careful when using social media. 
2. Do interesting research that is valuable to the sporting world at large. My dissertation was on equine risk which hadn’t been done before so I became known for having a specialism outside of the ordinary.

Maureen Weston, Law Professor at Pepperdine University

1. Love and know your sport;
2. Develop your skills and area of expertise; and
3. Get involved with the sport and sports law community and enjoy the ride.

Nicole Jahanshahi, Senior Associate, RPC

1. Get out there – there are many events, often free and in the evenings so it won't interfere with your "day job". Join your national sports law association and Register to newsletters, blogs and groups. Whether your firm has a sports practice or not, meet people, learn and take that knowledge back with you and work it into your existing practice.  It's a small world and you will be noticed.  
2. Organic growth – steady and long term. Look at the opportunities around you and build on those. Become an expert and deliver quality work.
3. Have a plan – partners will be prepared to back you in developing a sports law practice if you present a well thought out strategy and a plan for implementing it. 

Cliodhna Guy, Legal Manager, International Boxing Association (AIBA)

1. Know your sport and the business - sports governing bodies are not just commercial organisations and there are a number of aspects that have to be considered in any matter not just the commercial interests. You have to get to know your organisation extremely well and pay attention to the all parts of the organisation to understand how it all should work. Be prepared to sit down with other staff and understand the programmes they are working on because otherwise you will not be able to deal with the issues. Also ask the questions - remember if you are dealing with people who are not legally qualified they don't always understand the information you need. Its often the random, throw away question that suddenly provides a lot of information you were not aware of and impacts on your advice. 
2. If you want get into sport get involved. Volunteer to work with clubs, small organisations. You get experience and contacts and they are often delighted for the expertise and assistance you can provide. 
3. Accept you cannot be an expert in all areas that you will deal with if you are working for a sports body. You will become a jack-of-all-trades in many senses so you need to recognise that admitting you don't know everything and need to ask advice or check something is not a weakness. 

Alex Kelham, Head of Sport, Lewis Silkin

1. Know and love sport. If you do not, you will struggle to understand the complexities and nuances of the industry and you are less likely to build a rapport with those you are working with. People working in sport are generally very passionate about it and want to be able to have banter about who won what game/race/bout at the weekend. I don't believe you need an encyclopaedic knowledge of all sports but if you have no real interest, you will soon get found out.
2. Work hard to make opportunities for yourself - be proactive; and when opportunities do present themselves make the most of them – work hard, impress and network, network, network!
3. If you are a lawyer that loves participating in sport as well as advising on it, do not let your legal career get in the way. I believe that keeping active and being competitive is something which complements your legal skills. I exercise most mornings and know that I am more efficient on the days I exercise than the days I don't. You shouldn't have to stop your sport for a legal career - and if you do it will only make you miserable if you're a sportsperson at heart.

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