Associate solicitor, London

Given my sporting background, sports law appealed. Having spent a large amount of my childhood in St. Maarten in the Caribbean, water-based sports were very much second nature. I started swimming competitively at a young age, and when I was 10 took up synchronised swimming. While at university, I ‘hung up my noseclip’ and took up finswimming. I competed at a national level, becoming British champion in the 25m bi-fins event in 2015 and setting what remains a national record in that age group. My experience as an athlete (and later as a coach) gave me a strong commitment to succeed at an elite level. 

Angelique Richardson

While I graduated with a first-class degree from Northumbria University’s MLaw course, I was not initially excited by the idea of pursuing a legal career. Instead, I obtained a graduate job as a headhunter in the legal market, within litigation. This job was not for me, though I gained invaluable insight into how law firms operate and, ultimately, this piqued my interest in pursuing a career in law.

It was through this role that I met my former boss. He was looking to hire a legal assistant to help his team with a huge group action, acting for 555 claimants in the Bates & Others v Post Office Ltd case.

'I have lived the life of an athlete. I know what daily pressures athletes face. While I might not be a boxer (unlike most of my current clients), I understand what it is like to go through training camp, the pressure of competition'

In 2018, I joined Freeths as a legal assistant and started my training contract. I qualified as a solicitor in the commercial dispute resolution team before being promoted to senior associate. This coincided with the arrival of a new director who specialised in sports law. I ended up working closely with him on a number of cases and found it the perfect route to pursue. I then moved to Lawrence Stephens in December 2023, where I work in the sports and entertainment department.

Ultimately, I have lived the life of an athlete. I know what pressures athletes face on a daily basis and what can happen at different points in their careers. For instance, while I might not be a boxer (unlike most of my current clients), I understand what it is like to go through training camp, the pressure of competition and navigating everything that accompanies this. As a lawyer and trusted adviser, this makes my clients more comfortable in instructing me, knowing that I understand what is on the line for them.  

Sadly, you hear all too often of athletes being taken advantage of by stakeholders. This has happened in my own sporting career and is a key driving force for me in ensuring this does not happen to my clients.

The Post Office group litigation was, naturally, a hugely noteworthy case in terms of its profile and its significance for the claimants. That case taught me a lot about strategy in litigation, which has been invaluable in my role as a sports lawyer.

I work with athletes at all levels. They range from fighters who are just turning professional (Mario Silva) and experienced, high-profile fighters (including the likes of Chris Eubank Jr, Joshua Buatsi, Lawrence Okolie, Ben Whittaker, Chev Clarke) to Olympians (including weightlifter Emily Campbell – silver medallist at Tokyo 2020 and bronze medallist at Paris 2024). Footballers include Reiss Nelson, Ivan Toney and Destiny Udogie. I am also currently leading on one of the biggest UK arbitrations in the boxing world.

On a personal level, we can all agree that sport usually takes place outside ‘normal’ working hours. With boxing, there is no off-season like there is in football. I am pretty much on standby 24/7 but my approach to practice is holistic. I am available to my clients when they need me. I also advise on strategy, brand development, reputation management and more.

I was recently appointed to the Sports Resolutions Pro Bono Service. Costs should never be a barrier to justice. I am looking forward to continuing to help athletes who need legal advice so that their rights are protected.

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