Mishcon de Reya has announced the appointment of Richard McMorris as Partner, marking a strategic investment in the firm’s sports, media and technology offering. Richard joins the Innovation department and will work closely across the Technology, Commercial and Interactive Entertainment practices, supporting clients whose growth strategies are increasingly shaped by data, digital assets and emerging technologies.
Richard brings deep experience advising businesses at the intersection of content, data and technology, with particular strength in media, sports, broadcasting and digital services. His appointment reflects the firm’s continued focus on supporting clients operating in highly regulated, fast-moving markets where commercial, regulatory and technological considerations are closely intertwined.
Richard joins from Bird & Bird where he led the cross‑practice Digital Rights and Assets group, advising clients on the use, licensing and monetisation of data and content, as well as artificial intelligence, tokenisation, digital identity and trust services. He also headed their broadcasting group, advising on complex commercial and regulatory matters across UK and international broadcasting and video services regimes. He has over 25 years of experience advising leading sports organisations on media, data and commercial rights, as well as related technology and outsourcing arrangements.
His client base ranges from multinational media, technology and data businesses to high‑growth start‑ups and scale‑ups, including broadcasters, OTT platforms, consumer brands, sports and entertainment rights holders, gaming and esports companies, investors and financiers. His recent work includes advising Peak Sports Media on its innovative strategic joint venture with LaLiga, Aser Group on the sale of Eleven Sports to DAZN, Alight Media on the fast growth of its scale UK digital out of home advertising network, Radioplayer on the evolution of its UK and international businesses, and Volleyball World on the re-imagining of its media rights arrangements.
Richard McMorris said: “I’ve worked at the centre of industrial change in media and sport for the best part of three decades. The world in which my clients are operating has never been as fast-changing or uncertain. Mishcon de Reya’s Innovation group has all the key ingredients for a progressive new offering to media, content technology and sports organisations internationally. Blending first class legal expertise with invaluable industry insight, I look forward to helping my clients create direction in uncertainty, make good decisions in complexity, see around corners and navigate the ambiguity inherent in fast growth – and, in particular, to working with my new colleagues to bring Mishcon de Reya’s especially creative, strategic, and fearless brand of professional support to the sectors I support.”
Jeremy Hertzog, Chair of Innovation, added: "Richard is recognised by clients not only as a legal adviser, but as a strategic partner to founders, boards and leadership teams. He is frequently engaged at key moments to help businesses define direction, anticipate regulatory and commercial risk, evaluate options and support informed decision‑making. His experience advising at the intersection of content, data and technology strengthens our ability to support clients operating in fast‑moving, regulated markets."
Richard’s appointment forms part of Mishcon de Reya’s Vision 2030 strategy, strengthening its ability to advise clients on complex, cross‑disciplinary matters where technology, data and content are central to value creation and risk management.