Clarion appoints sports law expert Geoff Cunningham

3 Nov 2025Appointments

National law firm Clarion has appointed Geoff Cunningham as Partner to enhance its sports law team

In a bold move to strengthen its offerings in the sports sector, national law firm Clarion has appointed Geoff Cunningham as a new Partner to lead its Sports Law team. With over a decade of experience in sports law, Geoff has advised clients spanning football, boxing, and various other sporting disciplines. His impressive background includes a position as Head of Legal (Regulatory) at the English Football League (EFL), where he was responsible for advising on regulatory changes and litigation matters involving member clubs.

Additionally, he served as Chief Legal Officer at Boxxer, a rapidly growing boxing promotion company, where he played a crucial role during a significant growth phase. This blend of expertise uniquely positions Geoff to bring a 360-degree capability to Clarion as it aims to expand its influence in the sports sector.

His appointment is more than just a personnel change; it is a reflection of Clarion’s commitment to strategically invest in and formalise its sports law capabilities. The firm has a longstanding history of work within the sports industry, and Geoff’s joining is expected to bolster this foundation as part of Clarion’s national growth strategy.

Based in Leeds, Clarion has been actively fostering an entrepreneurial spirit within its environment, having welcomed 29 new starters from May to September this year. Geoff expressed his enthusiasm about joining the firm, stating, "I am thrilled to be joining the Clarion team and to be leading the firm’s sports law team at such an exciting time” and highlighted his awareness of Clarion’s respected reputation in the legal field.

Roger Hutton, Joint Managing Partner at Clarion, remarked, "We're delighted to welcome Geoff to the team. Sports law is a sector we've identified as a huge opportunity for growth, and Geoff's experience across football, boxing and the broader sporting landscape makes him the ideal person to lead this for the firm." As the team looks ahead, both Geoff and Roger anticipate that his expertise will significantly impact Clarion's growth trajectory and the services provided to its clients within the sports arena.

Legal News desk contact: editorial@solicitorsjournal.com|

Employment tribunal cases rising sharply

Recent Ministry of Justice figures reveal a significant increase in open Employment Tribunal cases and challenges faced by employers

SRA updates guidance for litigation supervision

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has enhanced its supervision guidelines to clarify litigation conduct after recent court rulings

Millions of fathers lack parental responsibility

Many fathers may be surprised to learn about their parental responsibility rights and how to secure them

Re Poundstretcher: cross-class cramdown survives even when six landlord classes say no

The Chancery Division sanctions Poundstretcher's restructuring plan despite six dissenting landlord classes, applying the Adler and Petrofac framework.

Ponsford v Sali: a property partnership's messy divorce shows why documentation wins partnership disputes

The Chancery Division takes a pragmatic, evidence based approach to untangling a property partnership built on undocumented cash dealings.

North Somerset District Council v Secretary of State: failing the flood sequential test is not the end of the story

The Planning Court confirms that a failed flood risk sequential test still gets weighed in the planning balance, not treated as an automatic refusal.

Thomas Armstrong (Aggregates) v Housing Secretary: when landfill buries a quarry's right to be reviewed

The Planning Court applies Pilkington and Hillside to find a 1954 quarry permission can no longer be revived under the ROMP regime.

Clerkenwell Lifestyle v HG Construction: be careful what you call "agreed" in extension of time correspondence

The TCC enforces a £955,943 adjudication award after rejecting a contractor's late attempt to recast email exchanges as a binding settlement.

Ward v Donnellan: when both sides lie, "no order for costs" is not a free pass

The Court of Appeal overturns a no order for costs ruling, finding a judge let a dishonest claimant off too lightly.

London Borough of Camden v BW: when a single missing fact can decide a capacity case

The Court of Protection finds an expert's failure to explore one consequence, losing a placement, was enough to undermine his capacity assessment.

Griffiths v Essex County Council: EAT clarifies causation in discrimination remedy awards and sends pension loss back for recalculation

A single act of indirect disability discrimination can ground a full loss of earnings award, even where a later constructive dismissal claim was framed only...