Louie

In this role, I carried out the roles of a paralegal and legal researcher for Livida Sport, a consultancy assisting athletes, coaches, governing bodies with dispute resolution in the sport sector.

In this role, I assisted the company's solicitors by conducting research into complex and often novel areas of law, producing legal notes, and assisting with dispute resolution tasks such as bundling, reviewing documents and drafting letters of claim.

My research has included:

• Whether it may be possible for a football club to agree a loan with a lender secured against the value of its playing squad, without breaching FIFA's TPO regulations
• The law relating to loans and transfers between commonly owned football clubs
• The law relating to image rights in sport in the UK, Spain and brazil
• The legal procedure for player transfers into various jurisdictions including the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, China, Qatar and USA
• The law relating to boxing, including assumption of risk, duty of care, match fixing and doping

Dispute Resolution tasks:

• Drafting letters of claim in a number of employment disputes, one of which worth over $1,000,000.00
• Reviewing contracts and other legal documents
• Bundling documents and organising large amounts of case material

In this role I assisted with two separate data subject access requests, searching large volumes of correspondence for relevant personal information.

A week-long work experience placement starting July 22nd with Mishcon de Reya's specialist Sports Group. I earned this opportunity by winning Mishcon de Reya's annual article writing competition whilst taking part in their Graduate Sports Law Academy. My article focused on Team Sky's (the road-cycling team) business model, the success that it brought, the culture that it bred with regards to performance enhancing drugs and the impact that their decade of success may well have on future TUE policy reform.

• Assisted with construction of a defence for a football club against an EFL claim for FFP breach.

• Developed arguments to support the prosecution of pro tennis player suspected of corruption.

• Produced a brief for UHNW client on the potential repercussions of owning multiple football clubs across Europe and Africa, in accordance with UEFA, FIFA and CAF regulations.

• Engaged in business development, creating a database of international football agents.

A series of evening seminars, learning from sports lawyers and paralegals about sporting disputes, employment and immigration, commercial negotiations, corporate transactions and sports integrity issues. Engaged with the legal, commercial and practical approach to the various disciplines that span the sports sector through case-study work, presentations and discussion. Won Mishcon de Reya’s annual article writing competition, earning a mini vacation scheme within the firm’s Sports Group, starting in July 2019 (described above).

A second week-long placement shadowing Demelza Patricio, TWM’s Family Law partner. Assisted Mrs Patricio in preparing for and recording various client meetings, including mediation. Mediation matters included divorce, separation, financial remedies and arranging parents’ time with children. Assisted in the preparation of a range of documents, including the drafting of pre-nuptial, cohabitation and family creation/sperm donor agreements. Worked alongside paralegals, understanding the role and its function within the team. Read various family law case files, familiarising myself with the procedures of a family law case. Increased understanding of how the business is run by observing strategy meetings. Further developed my oral communication skills, using empathy skills to discuss very sensitive issues with clients and colleagues.

Mini-pupil to Paul Walker, Criminal Defence Barrister, throughout entire week-long criminal trial at Brighton Crown Court, developing my understanding of the criminal justice system. Recorded all parts of the trial in detail to aid Mr. Walker’s reflection and preparation. Assisted Mr. Walker in drafting questions for cross-examination of witnesses and final statement. Observed the close working relationship between barrister and solicitors throughout the trial. Developed and practised oral communication skills, constantly communicating with the client on extremely sensitive matters that required empathy, intuition and understanding.

Initial week-long placement shadowing Mrs. Patricio, performing same supportive functions as listed above.

Week-long placement spent shadowing Adrian Price, TWM’s Commercial Property partner. Read commercial property cases and familiarised myself with the procedure and documentation. Shadowed Mr. Price, recording client meetings and helping him to draft legal documents relating to commercial agreements and leases, freehold and leasehold acquisitions and disposals.

A program for future lawyers, either with or without training contracts, who are looking to hone their commercial skills before their legal careers.

Managing projects at legal technology start-up, providing resourcing solutions to law firms and in-house counsel. This included:

• Negotiating and drafting commercial contracts with existing and prospective clients.

• Coordinating new client requests and managing ongoing projects independently.

• Onboardings clients and candidates onto the F-LEX online platform

• Regularly interviewing lawyers and paralegals

• Ensuring continued compliance with relevant legislation, including conducting right to work checks, AWR checks, storing and destroying data in line with GDPR.

• Sales & business development via HubSpot CRM, telephone and networking events

• Manage the company’s social media accounts, developed new strategy and oversaw company-wide branding change.

• Independently organise and attend conferences & marketing events around the UK, promoting FLEX and increasing our network.

A program for future lawyers, either with or without training contracts, who are looking to hone their commercial skills before their legal careers.

Managing projects at legal technology start-up, providing resourcing solutions to law firms and in-house counsel. This included:

• Negotiating and drafting commercial contracts with existing and prospective clients.

• Coordinating new client requests and managing ongoing projects independently.

• Onboardings clients and candidates onto the F-LEX online platform

• Regularly interviewing lawyers and paralegals

• Ensuring continued compliance with relevant legislation, including conducting right to work checks, AWR checks, storing and destroying data in line with GDPR.

• Sales & business development via HubSpot CRM, telephone and networking events

• Manage the company’s social media accounts, developed new strategy and oversaw company-wide branding change.

• Independently organise and attend conferences & marketing events around the UK, promoting FLEX and increasing our network.

Was responsible for coordinating team of up to 10, within a busy student bar and restaurant. Developed leadership, teamwork, organisation and communication skills. Was responsible for the bar's financial success for up to 3 nights a week. Was responsible for negotiating and organising with third parties to hold events for first year students in our event space. Started an initiative to provide support to students who were feeling homesick or out of place by providing them with work opportunities, and a social outlet.

Worked over the summer in Sheffield between second and third years of my undergraduate degree to save money and support myself financially throughout my third year. Developed my communication skills by constantly serving customers. Built rapport quickly and established lasting relationships. Developed my ability to pick up niche, specialist skills quickly. Developed teamwork skills, quickly building strong working relationships with a small team within a busy cafe. This required that I approached every task, however menial, with the same upbeat enthusiasm. This has become a strength of mine.

Made drinks and served food and drinks at a busy pub in Chipstead, Surrey. Here, I developed my teamwork skills, working in a small group under constant high pressure in a fast-moving environment. I also developed my communication skills, building rapport with customers and ensuring that they returned to our business. Also developed my conflict resolution skills, regularly dealing with intoxicated customers.

Tended to customers' and colleagues' needs in this busy hair salon at weekends. Learnt about the sheer importance of client delivery and extremely high standards of service when your business sits within a very competitive market. Developed teamwork and communication skills.

Served customers and achieved constant sales targets within very busy clothing store in Croydon, South London. Learnt about the importance of upholding brand standards in front of the customer. Further developed my teamwork and communication skills.