Paul Hastings has announced the launch of a new global sports practice, marking a significant strategic development in the firm's continued expansion of specialized legal services. The practice has been established as a subdivision of the firm's existing entertainment and media practice, positioning it to leverage established client relationships and industry expertise while offering dedicated counsel to participants across the global sports sector.
The new group will be led by Mark Zerdin, who previously served as co-head of sports at London-based Slaughter and May. His appointment brings recognized leadership experience in sports law to the firm and reflects Paul Hastings' commitment to building the practice with senior talent from the outset. Situating the group within the entertainment and media practice allows for natural collaboration on matters that increasingly cross traditional industry lines, including media rights, sponsorship, intellectual property, and commercial partnerships.
The launch reflects a deliberate strategic response to growing demand for legal services in the sports industry. Sports organizations, leagues, clubs, investors, athletes, agencies, and commercial partners are navigating an increasingly complex legal and regulatory environment. Transactions have grown in scale and sophistication, and stakeholders are seeking counsel with the ability to address multi-jurisdictional issues involving corporate transactions, financing, governance, dispute resolution, employment, data protection, and regulatory compliance.
By establishing a dedicated global practice, Paul Hastings signals that sports work is no longer a peripheral engagement handled ad hoc, but rather a defined discipline requiring focused expertise and coordinated cross-border capability. The move also reflects a broader industry trend in which major international firms are structuring dedicated teams to serve clients operating in and around professional sports, recognizing the sector's expanding commercial footprint and the specialized nature of its legal needs.
For clients across the sports ecosystem, the launch offers access to a coordinated team capable of addressing both transactional and advisory matters on an integrated basis. The practice is expected to complement the firm's existing strengths in corporate, litigation, intellectual property, and regulatory work, providing a comprehensive resource as the industry continues to evolve.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Clients and prospective clients should seek tailored legal advice from qualified counsel regarding their specific circumstances.