Corporate law firm Hammond Suddards Edge and sports law specialists Townleys have today (27 July 2001) announced that they are to merge their respective sports law practices to create Europe’s premier sports law practice.

The merger will take effect from 1 August and will create a sports law practice with six partners and 22 other fee-earners working exclusively on sports law in London alone with cross-practice supporting teams in Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester and across the Europe.

Clients of the merged firm will include major international and domestic governing bodies, event organisers, corporate sponsors, sports clubs, sponsorship consultancies, sports television distribution agencies and broadcasters, and communication agencies.

Mike Henley, partner and head of Hammond Suddards Edge’s Enterprise and Technology practice, comments: ‘The strategic and cultural match between Hammond Suddards Edge and Townleys is extraordinarily good. We both have deserved reputations for the quality of clients and work and the fit in terms of client sector strengths are extremely complementary. The philosophy of Townleys is very similar to that of Hammond Suddards Edge in that we are both entrepreneurial and innovative and are looking for new ways to service client needs.’

Stephen Townley, Townleys’ senior partner, said: ‘Hammond Suddards Edge and Townleys have both set goals of delivering a high quality business service in their chosen markets, particularly in the area of sports law. The merger marks a great opportunity for our lawyers to stamp their mark both at home and internationally through the greater resources now available. We are now in the position to consolidate and build upon our pre-eminence in the European and global marketplace.’

For further information contact:

Mike Henley
Partner
Hammond Suddards Edge
Tel:020 7655 1000
Mob:07885 326127.

Stephen Townley
Senior Partner
Townleys
Tel:020 7713 7000
Mob:07880 505222
or
John Taylor
Tel:020 7713 7000