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Stephen Sampson
Partner
Stephen Sampson is the head of our UK Litigation Practice and the industry group leader and an EMEA lead of the Sports & Entertainment Group. His expertise covers commercial, regulatory and contentious work, particularly for clients in the sports, media, entertainment and advertising sectors.
He has extensive experience before sports tribunals and the Court of Arbitration for Sport and is recognised by the legal directories as a leading practitioner within the sports law and brand management sectors.
Education
- Nottingham Law School, Postgraduate Diploma, 1998
- Nottingham Law School, L.P.C.
- The University of Nottingham, B.A.
Admissions
- England and Wales, 1996
- Recommend in Band 1 in Chambers UK 2024 for Sports Law UK-wide.
- Ranked in Hall of Fame in Legal 500 UK 2023 for Sports.
- Highly rated for sports and entertainment sector disputes in Legal 500 UK 2023.
- Legal 500 UK 2022 interviewees describe Stephen as:
- “One of the most experienced sports lawyers in the UK with unrivalled knowledge. He is also one of the most hard working, well prepared and thoughtful solicitors in the space, who gives 100% to his clients and has very good judgment.”
- “An exceptional litigator, not only with a vast knowledge but with a very down-to-earth practical way of applying that knowledge to what was a very novel area of law.”
- Legal 500 UK 2023 interviewees describe Stephen as:
- “Exceptional experience – Stephen Sampson. You can rely on Stephen doing a first-class job (and you know he will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the instruction is given the attention it requires and is completed on time).”
- “Stephen Sampson is one of the most experienced solicitors in sport. He has excellent judgement and gives 100% to his clients.”
- “Stephen Sampson is cerebral, conscientious and committed – leaves no stone unturned.”
- Legal 500 UK 2024 interviewees describe Stephen as:
- “Stephen Sampson is an absolute powerhouse. Always available, and always able to assess a situation on a call, talk you through the applicable laws and give you an opinion on that same call. One of the few partners not afraid to give you a risk analysis and tell you how to proceed.”
- The Chambers UK 2022 interviewees describe Stephen as:
- "He is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced sports lawyers in the country, and someone who will always go the extra mile for his clients."
- The Chambers UK 2023 interviewees describe Stephen as:
- "Stephen is an excellent litigator with a very commercial mind."
- "He's a football supremo. He has a wealth of experience and knowledge, with enough commercial awareness to navigate us through some tricky areas."
- "Stephen Sampson is a superb lawyer who understands the needs of the client. His willingness to assist, wealth of knowledge and commercial awareness make him stand out."
- The Chambers UK 2024 interviewees describe Stephen as:
- "One of the most dedicated and on top of the details solicitors. He has great judgement and will go the extra mile."
- Included in the 12th edition of The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom for Sports Law.
- Recommended in Who’s Who Legal as a Thought Leader: Sports & Gaming 2024
- Stephen is an arbitrator with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.