DWF become major partner for MOS Annual Conference

Ministry of Sport is pleased to announce DWF as a new major partner for the Annual Conference.

DWF is a global legal business, with over 2,800+ staff delivering services across 27 locations and 4 continents. The Financial Times call DWF “one of Europe’s most innovative firms.”

The DWF Australian team has market-leading sector and industry expertise. Their specialist Sports Law Group delivers expertise across a broad range of sporting disciplines, working with sporting bodies, teams, and investors in support of Sport Australia’s ‘Sport 2030’ National Sport Plan, with a strong focus on delivering sport integrity outcomes.

We spoke with the director of DWF Sydney, Mathew Jessep and Partner at DWF Newcastle, David Reid, about the law firms new partnership with the Ministry of Sport.

1. You have started focusing in on sport and events, why?

DWF has focused on sports as a sector for some time, with a team based primarily in the UK. In 2018, upon opening offices in Sydney and Newcastle as part of DWF’s global expansion, an Australian sports sector focus was established via the arrival of sports lawyers, David Reid (Partner, Newcastle) and Mathew Jessep (Director, Sydney).

Our sports focus will increase and become more focused as we bring together our global resources across our team of dedicated and specialised lawyers and business advisors from our international network in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, South East Asia, Australia, and now the USA.

 More locally, sport is a defining characteristic of the Australian national psyche and is important to all Australians as a nation that regularly punches above our weight in international sporting competitions. Sport is also a significant business in its own right as an industry measured to be AU$83 billion.

In this sector, commerce and law are intertwined with diverse regulatory frameworks and you need experienced, reliable advisors that understand this niche marketplace. Your legal team have to be ready to act on little or no notice and get it right first time, every time.

2. How does DWF add value to the business of sport?

Our specialist Sports Law Team delivers expertise across a broad range of sporting disciplines, working with sporting bodies, teams, and investors in support of Sport Australia’s ‘Sport 2030’ National Sport Plan, with a strong focus on delivering sport integrity and strong governance based outcomes. 

Supported by practical experience drawn from legal, regulatory, governance and sporting backgrounds, our expert sports law specialists have represented some of the most recognised names from the sporting world including sportspeople, professional advisers, clubs, associations, regulatory bodies, and other sports organisations.

Our clients trust us to understand this unique and exciting marketplace and to operate alongside them in the constantly evolving, fast-paced and highly pressurised sports environment. Clients tell us that we listen, advise and act in a way they find reassuring and exceeds their expectations for a commercial legal service.

We make it our business to know your business and to become an integral part of your team. We understand the pressures and emotions involved. As a result, our clients trust us to rise to any challenge and to present market-leading legal solutions, first time, every time.

3. What’s DWF’s big dream?

To help our clients to continue to excel in sport, with integrity, ethics, and good governance, with strong operational and financial health, for the continued benefit of their game/sport, members, and stakeholders.

4. What’s your favourite sporting team and why?

David Reid: the NBL’s Sydney Kings – expertly coached by Australian basketball and sporting legend, Andrew Gaze, and playing a very entertaining style of basketball.

Mat Jessep: the NSWRL Blues – for never saying die and (finally) slaying the Maroons (old age and retirements also helping).

4. What’s your favourite sporting moment?

David Reid: the recent success of our national women’s basketball team, the Opals; winning silver at the FIBA World Cup in September.

Mat Jessep: the 2000 NFL SuperBowl, won by the St Louis Rams with the Greatest Show on Turf.