Simon is a Sports and Technology Partner and leader of the Firm's Sports Group.
Simon specialises in advising clients (ranging from fast-growth start-ups to internationally listed companies, as well as governing bodies, major clubs, sponsors, intermediaries and athletes) on IP, GDPR, regulatory and commercial law-related issues. He regularly works on significant broadcasting matters, image/digital rights agreements, sponsorship arrangements and international transfers.
Recent experience includes acting on what has been reported as boxing's first ever billion dollar deal, negotiating a major Premier League sponsorship contract for a fast growing African country and assisting on a F1 naming rights deal.
On the regulatory side, he advises clients on an array of issues including Financial Fair Play, Third Party Ownership and Intermediaries Regulations, as well as several governing bodies and other non-sports clients on a wide selection of commercial law and privacy-related matters.
The other major part of Simon's practice is Technology, where he has a breadth of experience across a number of important related areas. In particular, he has worked on several high profile and global proptech, adtech, retail, leisure, esports and betting & gaming deals.
Recent highlights include advising a fast-growth Swedish technology SaaS company on a number of its most important commercial agreements opposite its key customers, assisting a number of proptech companies on IP/software licensing and GDPR-related issues, and several FTSE 100/S&P 500 companies on major IT outsourcing, global networks and data centre contracts. Simon regularly acts on both the 'customer' and 'supplier' side of these technology, outsourcing and licensing matters – and is therefore able to use this experience to his clients' advantage.
He has featured in the national press, commenting on topics ranging from the key legal issues to consider in relation to driverless cars and drone delivery to the interpretation of commercial contracts – as well as commenting on sports-related legal matters for Sky News, the Guardian, BBC News and City AM, among others.
Simon completed secondments with Dell and Tesco whilst at his previous firm.
Simon is a mentor for the start ups taking part in MDR LAB and up until recently acted as semi-professional football referee; officiating on National Conference, Premier League Under 23 and Football League Reserve team matches.