Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP and Hausfeld LLP have announced that the firms will combine their legal expertise, creating a joint practice group that will represent professional athletes.
The firms will focus on “all aspects of athlete rights and interests ‐‐ individually and organizationally, from international mediation and litigation involving antitrust and intellectual property issues to potential collective rights and beyond,” according to a joint statement.
Michael Hausfeld, Chairman of Hausfeld LLP, elaborated on the international aspects, adding that “given the global and sophisticated nature of the market professional athletes operate in, a practice like the one we are forming will put in play an international strategy essential for maximizing the value and reach of our clients. Our offices here in the U.S. and London will now be assets for professional athletes.”
The firms are hardly strangers to one another.
“Our firms have worked successfully together in the past on complex cases,” said Bill Isaacson of Boies, Schiller & Flexner. “This new collaboration makes good business sense for our firms and the athletes we will represent.”
Name partner David Boies added that the union “of both firms creates a formidable group well positioned to assist professional athletes in managing important legal challenges and taking on opportunities.”
The firms’ announcement comes on the heels of announcement by Winston & Strawn LLP more than six months ago that it was launching a college sports practice group. Winston & Strawn LLP noted at the time that it was prepared to represent collegiate athletes, coaches, schools, and conferences against the NCAA.
