Tom is a Managing Associate in the Sports Group and a member of the Innovation Department. His clients include Premier League footballers, World Champion boxers, F1 drivers and teams, football clubs, governing bodies, broadcasters, agents, rightsholders and sports tech businesses.
Tom has a particular focus on the financial regulation of sport, having co-authored the Financial Regulation and Financial Fair Play chapter of Nick de Marco KC's Football and the Law. He regularly contributes to thought leadership on the topic, having featured on sky sports news and Kieran Maguire's The Price of Football podcast.
Tom has significant expertise in esports and is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of NIVO - a global esports and interactive entertainment management business founded in 2021 that represents the world's best esports players and coaches.
Tom is ranked as a Rising Star and a Notable Practitioner in the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners Sport directories respectively and is described by clients as "one of the most prominent, and best, associates in sport" who "produces outstanding work and is knowledgeable beyond his years" (Legal 500).
Recent work highlights include:
- Acting for Marcus Rashford on his contract extension with Manchester United
- Drafting and advising on the contractual framework to host, broadcast and commercially exploit the Rage on the Red Sea World Heavyweight Championship bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua
- Advising leading Championship clubs on compliance with the EFL's financial fair play rules
- Representing Alex Albon on his Driver Agreement with Williams Racing
- Successfully defending the Former Joint Administrators of the Force India Formula One Team in High Court litigation.
Tom is Head of the Sports Law Academy - a free-to-access, academic, distance-learning programme designed to facilitate debate, examine key issues in the world of sport and share knowledge in order to improve industry standards, promote diversity and nurture young talent. The Sports Law Academy has welcomed over 1,300 participants from 27 countries around the world and tackles issues from gender equality to racism in sport.
Tom previously served on the Board of British Fencing (the national governing body responsible for the overall governance, development and management of the sport of fencing in Great Britain) and is a member of LawInSport.
Through Mishcon de Reya's membership of Sport Resolutions Pro Bono Service, Tom assists individuals without charge before Sport Resolutions panels and other NGB tribunals.
Key Experience
- Acting for Marcus Rashford on his contract extension with Manchester United;
- Drafting and advising on the contractual framework to host, broadcast and commercially exploit the Rage on the Red Sea World Heavyweight Championship bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua;
- Advising global esports entertainment network, BLAST, on the operation and commercial exploitation of esports tournaments and events around the world, including in respect of a multi-year, multi-million-dollar partnership with Epic Games;
- Representing Formula 1 driver, Alex Albon, on his agreement with Williams Racing and commercial arrangements;
- Advising the family of the late Gianluca Vialli in a video game licensing deal with Electronic Arts to feature in EA Sports FC;
- Represented the President of the Confederation of African Athletes and Vice President of the International Association of Athletics Federation in proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport; and
- Successfully defending the Former Joint Administrators of the Force India Formula One Team in High Court litigation.
Career History
Managing Associate, Mishcon de Reya LLP
Associate, Mishcon de Reya LLP
Legal Secondee, Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Trainee Solicitor, Mishcon de Reya LLP
Sponsorship Consultant, Matchroom Sport Limited
University of Law
London School of Economics and Political Science