DLA Piper Strengthens Media, Sport, And Entertainment Portfolio With Armstrong Teasdale Team Addition
Global law firm DLA Piper has bolstered its Media, Sport and Entertainment (MSE) practice with the high-profile hire of Partner Zane Shihab and his team from Armstrong Teasdale. Joining Shihab in his move to DLA Piper’s London office are James Thorndyke (Legal Director), Matt Santer (Associate), and Nick Bitel (Consultant).
Shihab brings a wealth of experience in the sports sector and Intellectual Property (IP) to DLA Piper. He previously led the UK MSE and IP practices at both Armstrong Teasdale and its predecessor firm, Kerman & Co. Shihab also boasts in-house experience at BSkyB and specialist sports firm Max Bitel Greene.
Shihab’s team possesses deep commercial and IP expertise across all levels of the sports industry. Their impressive client roster includes prominent governing bodies like UEFA and The All England Lawn Tennis Club, major events like the London Marathon, and entities ranging from teams to individual players, having handled Premier League transfers and FA disciplinary proceedings.
“Our international IPT platform has built a market-leading reputation on our ability to provide strategic and commercial advice through the application of deep sectoral knowledge, across our clients’ key jurisdictions. Zane and his team are highly regarded in their ability to do just that, and we look forward to our clients benefitting from their accomplished sports and media capabilities,” Paul Allen, Global Co-Chair of DLA Piper’s IP and Technology practice, said.
Frank Valentin, Global Co-Chair of DLA Piper’s Media, Sport and Entertainment sector, stated that the addition of Shihab and his impressive team into their thriving Media, Sport and Entertainment mix is an exciting prospect for the firm. “Their experience working on headline mandates with significant sports entities aligns completely with the prominent practice we’ve built at DLA Piper, and I’m sure they will be able to leverage our collaborative, cross-border group as a springboard for continued success.”
Nick Fitzpatrick, UK Head of DLA Piper’s Media, Sport and Entertainment sector and Co-Lead of the Sport & Sport Finance subsector expressed his delight in welcoming Shihab and his team to the firm’s London office. “Our UK Sport practice is a jewel in the crown of our peerless global sports team. We are very proud of what we have accomplished, and our new joiners add significant bench strength, great clients, deep experience across a number of sports and numerous complementary skill sets. This is simply a great match and we look forward with excitement to what we will achieve together.”