John SheaSenior Associate

I joined Lewis Silkin in 2018 as a Senior Associate from Shoosmiths LLP where I specialised in commercial litigation and sports law.

I was awarded a Bachelor of Laws degree from Oxford Brookes University in 2007 and I qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2011 after completing the Legal Practice Course at the Oxford Institute of Legal Practice. 

Dispute Resolution

As a dispute resolution lawyer, I have considerable experience of dealing with high value and complex commercial litigation in court proceedings as well as all forms of alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration.

I have particular expertise in breach of contract claims, shareholder disputes, insolvency issues and negligence claims.

Sports Business

My clients in the sport sector include clubs, intermediaries and athletes and I provide advice in relation to a wide range of matters including:

• Disputes in the civil courts as well as sport specific arbitration tribunals such as the Court of Arbitration for Sport and FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber;
• Regulatory compliance at both a national and international level; and
• Disciplinary proceedings for sanctions such as regulation breaches and misconduct.

My recent experience in the sport sector includes:

• Representing an international footballer in proceedings at the Court of Arbitration for Sport;
• Advising a leading premier league football player in connection with the termination of an endorsement contract;
• Acting for a well-known football intermediary organisation in a FA Rule K arbitration;
• Advising a high profile manager on his appointment at a top flight football club;
• Acting for a client in the motorsport sector in relation to injunction and damages proceedings in the High Court worth in excess £20 million; and
• Advising a renowned sports club in relation to a high profile dispute against the sport’s governing body.

I write regular articles on sports law and provide updates on Twitter (@fc_legal). I am also a member of the British Association for Sport and Law, Sport Resolutions’ Pro Bono Legal Advice List and the appeals committee of the International Powerlifting Federation.