Brandsmiths Appoints Nilo Effori To Spearhead International Sports Disputes Growth
Brandsmiths, the UK’s leading IP law firm, has significantly strengthened its international sports disputes practice with the appointment of Nilo Effori.
As an international sports lawyer with more than two decades’ experience and a track record spanning over 200 disputes before FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Nilo joins Brandsmiths as partner and will play a key role in developing the firm’s sports disputes capability.
His role will also oversee Brandsmith’s advisory services for clubs, players, coaches and agents on matters spanning contractual, employment and transfer disputes, as well as disciplinary and governance proceedings before FIFA and CAS.
The appointment coincides with the publication of Nilo’s first book, The Court of Arbitration for Sport, a 550-page reference work analysing more than 150 CAS awards on jurisdiction and the competence of sports decision making bodies across CAS, FIFA, UEFA and national federations.
Nilo wrote the book to bring together a body of case law that had previously been scattered across hundreds of awards, creating a practical resource for those working on sports disputes. His second piece of work, which will focus on the Basketball Arbitral Tribunal, is already underway.
Based in Brandsmiths’ London office, Nilo will advise clients across the UK and international markets. His appointment marks a significant step in the firm’s ambition to establish a leading position in international sports disputes, particularly as UK football becomes increasingly shaped by international ownership and investment.
Adam Morallee, CEO at Brandsmiths, said: “Sports law is a major growth area for Brandsmiths, and Nilo’s arrival gives us real firepower internationally.
“We already have deep expertise in sport, acting for world famous clubs, players and brands; and Nilo really adds to that bringing unrivalled experience across FIFA and CAS, a deep understanding of the global football market and the ambition to build something significant.
“We are delighted to have him on board. Brandsmiths is growing quickly, and this appointment is a big part of where we’re going next.”
Nilo Effori, added: “My decision was, above all, about people. Having worked with Adam previously, I have always admired his approach and his genuine understanding of the realities of sports law. Brandsmiths approaches sport the way its clients do – commercially, quickly and without unnecessary formality.
“What I hope to build here is a leading international sports disputes practice, representing clubs, players, coaches and agents before FIFA and CAS, while strengthening the bridge between Brandsmiths and the international football market, where I have spent most of my career.”
Nilo’s appointment comes as Brandsmiths enters a new phase of growth. Following its acquisition of Sipara, which has taken the firm into the UK’s top ten for trademark filings, Brandsmiths is continuing to build and scale its specialist expertise while winning the trust of some of the world’s biggest brands.
Image: Brandsmiths
