Centrefield LLP: Leading UK sport and media law firm launches in Manchester
A new specialist Sport and Media law firm, Centrefield LLP, has been founded by partners, Edward Canty, David Bentham and Matthew Bennett.
Based in Manchester, Centrefield is made up of a highly specialised team of ten lawyers with over 15 years’ experience advising exclusively in the sport and media sector – one of the key growth sectors for the legal marketplace both in the UK and worldwide. The team is recognised by clients and the industry generally as a true market leader on a national and international basis and continues to act for an enviable client base of household names.
Nine of the ten lawyers in the team left North West based law firm, Brabners LLP, to form Centrefield. The establishment of the new firm builds on the lawyers’ existing reputation and sees Centrefield become one of the UK’s largest sport and media law specialists.
Matthew Bennett said:
“Centrefield marks a significant development in our industry. We act for clients across a wide range of sports and they all operate within a highly specialised environment; we believe that a more industry-focused and specialised firm is much more closely aligned to their interests. Our goal is to create the leading sport and media practice with the greatest industry knowledge and the best possible client service.”
When Canty, Bentham and Bennett set up the practice their clients followed. Centrefield provides advice to a wide range of clients including governing bodies, national associations, leagues, clubs, player associations, individuals, agents, sponsors and businesses operating in sport and media.
Edward Canty said:
“That all of our clients have come with us as we open Centrefield is not only gratifying – it’s proof of our skills and experience, our determination to secure the best results for them and the close relationships that we have built over time.”
The practice is based in a converted historical mill building and offers something different to the traditional law firm.
Edward Canty said:
“We were careful in selecting the right office to base Centrefield at; we wanted to find an environment which reflected the ethos and culture of the firm as well as the industry that we work in so it is somewhere that both the team and our clients feel comfortable and enjoy coming to.”
Centrefield hit the ground running with the opening of the football transfer window in January. A busy month acting in transfers, loans, contract re-negotiations and image rights arrangements for a number of clients, including clubs and players from the Premier League, the Football League and Major League Soccer, set the pace for the practice.
David Bentham said:
“The January transfer window was a good way to kick off the new business – it set the pace for what promises to be a thriving and growing practice.”
The launch of the firm has been marked with a drinks reception, at Manchester’s recently opened arts venue, HOME, attended by over one hundred clients and contacts of the firm.
David Bentham commented that:
“It was great to see so many of our clients and contacts come and mark the start of Centrefield. We very much appreciate all of the support they have provided at the start of the new firm and we’re excited about working with them in the coming years.”
ENDS
For further information, interviews and images please contact Centrefield at info@centrefield.law, 0161 672 5450.
Notes to editors
Centrefield LLP is a Sport & Media Law firm is based at 7 Constance Street, Knott Mill, Manchester, M15 4JQ, comprising Founding Partners, Edward Canty, David Bentham and Matthew Bennett; Senior Associate, Stuart Baird; Associates, Sarah Athi, Deirdre McCarthy, Oliver Sadler, Andrew Gartside, Jennifer Norris, Kate Findlow; and Team Administrator, Janet Yates.
