Key facts
- Magic circle law firm Linklaters has hired two senior lawyers who previously advised FIFA.
- Christopher Boehning and Daniel Levi have joined Linklaters in its New York office.
- Boehning will serve as Chair of Linklaters' global sports practice and US strategic disputes.
- Levi will join the firm's litigation, arbitration and investigations practice.
- The lawyers were previously at Paul Weiss, where they frequently advised FIFA on sensitive disputes.
- This recruitment is part of Linklaters' broader strategy to expand its US market presence.
Magic circle law firm Linklaters has recruited two prominent lawyers who previously advised FIFA, signaling a significant move in its strategy to expand its presence in the US legal market and enhance its global sports practice.
Christopher Boehning has joined Linklaters as Chair of its global sports practice and US strategic disputes, while Daniel Levi will be part of the firm’s litigation, arbitration and investigations practice. Both will be based in the New York office.
Boehning and Levi were previously partners at Paul Weiss, where they served as key US legal advisors to FIFA on its most high-profile and sensitive disputes over the past several years.
Aedamar Comiskey, Linklaters’ senior partner and Chair, stated that the recruitment of Boehning and Levi is a significant step in the firm's strategy to attract top talent across all its markets. She described them as top-of-the-market partners and valuable additions to the global team.
Linklaters, like other major English law firms, has been actively pursuing expansion into the US market. The firm has increased its US headcount, now boasting 55 partners, a 77% rise since 2022. This strategic push into the US legal landscape is a key focus for the firm.
The sports law sector has seen increasing interest from major legal firms due to a rise in private equity investments, complex regulatory environments, and high-profile litigation. This has elevated sports law from a niche area to a significant corporate practice. Linklaters' existing sports clients include the English Premier League, Real Madrid, the National Football League Players Association, DAZN, and Tennis Australia.
This development follows a similar move by rival firm Freshfields, which recently made changes to its senior partnerships to support its US expansion. Additionally, Paul Hastings announced the launch of its own global sports practice, recruiting Brandon Etheridge and Mark Zerdin.