John Shea Email & Phone Number

I predominantly specialise in commercial litigation and arbitration with a particular focus on the sports sector.Whilst my primary focus is on sport related dispute resolution, I advise teams, governing bodies, leading agencies and international athletes on a broad range of legal issues. My recent experience includes:- Acting for numerous clients in connection with disputes in the civil courts as well as sport specific arbitration tribunals such as the Court of Arbitration for Sport. This includes successfully representing Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in connection with a dispute with Malaga FC over a sell on clause and a client in a multi-million contractual dispute with an elite European football club.- Advising clubs, players, managers and agents in relation to regulatory compliance and disciplinary investigations for alleged regulatory breaches and on-field misconduct. This includes successfully representing Middlesbrough footballer Marc Bola in relation to an FA misconduct charge for an historical social media post, two agents in disciplinary proceedings brought by the FA for alleged breaches of the FA’s Intermediary Regulations and regularly representing rugby players in disciplinary cases before RFU and European panels.- Advising Premier League football clubs, players and agents in relation to numerous domestic and international football transfers. Recent high-profile transfers include Raphael Varane’s transfer from Real Madrid to Manchester United and Richarlison’s transfer from Everton FC to Tottenham Hotspur.- Being regularly instructed in relation to high-profile football manager and coaching staff appointments including advising Ange Postecoglou in connection with his appointment at Tottenham Hotspur, Frank Lampard in connection with his appointment at Everton FC and Steve Cooper in relation to his appointment at Nottingham Forest FC.I am ranked as a star associate in Sport by Chambers and Partners and by Legal 500 as a rising star in Sport. I have been described as being “a great external adviser who has become an extension to our in house team” as well as being “the driving force of the football practice, having great knowledge of contractual and regulatory matters, remarkable business acumen about the football industry and an extensive network with clubs, agents and peer lawyers”.I am also a member of Sport Resolutions’ panel of arbitrators for the period 2021-2024. I am also a Spanish speaker.

Listed skills include Legal Advice, Legal Assistance, Litigation, Dispute Resolution, and 9 others.