Mishcon de Reya appoints new partner

Mishcon de Reya has announced the appointment of Richard McMorris as Partner in a strategic move to bolster the firm's innovation capabilities within its sports, media, and technology offerings. Joining the Innovation department, McMorris will collaborate closely with the Technology, Commercial, and Interactive Entertainment practices. This role is designed to support clients who are increasingly influenced by data, digital assets, and emerging technologies in their growth strategies.

Richard McMorris brings a wealth of experience, having advised businesses at the intersection of content, data, and technology. His particular expertise lies within the realms of media, sports, broadcasting, and digital services. The appointment underscores Mishcon de Reya's commitment to serve clients in fast-paced markets that are heavily regulated, where commercial, regulatory, and technological considerations are inextricably linked.

Before joining Mishcon de Reya, McMorris was with Bird & Bird, where he led the cross-practice Digital Rights and Assets group. In this role, he advised on the use, licensing, and monetisation of data and content, alongside matters relating to artificial intelligence, tokenisation, digital identity, and trust services. He also headed the broadcasting group at Bird & Bird, where he navigated complex commercial and regulatory issues across UK and international broadcasting frameworks. With over 25 years of experience, McMorris has worked with numerous leading sports organisations on media, data, commercial rights, and related technology arrangements.

His client roster includes multinational media companies, technology and data businesses, high-growth start-ups, broadcasters, OTT platforms, consumer brands, sports and entertainment rights holders, as well as gaming and esports firms. Recent highlights from his work include advising Peak Sports Media on a strategic joint venture with LaLiga, supporting Aser Group in the sale of Eleven Sports to DAZN, and guiding Radioplayer through its business evolution in the UK and internationally.

Richard McMorris stated “I’ve worked at the centre of industrial change in media and sport for the best part of three decades. The world in which my clients are operating has never been as fast-changing or uncertain. Mishcon de Reya’s Innovation group has all the key ingredients for a progressive new offering to media, content technology, and sports organisations internationally. Blending first class legal expertise with invaluable industry insight, I look forward to helping my clients create direction in uncertainty, make good decisions in complexity, see around corners and navigate the ambiguity inherent in fast growth – and, in particular, to working with my new colleagues to bring Mishcon de Reya’s especially creative, strategic, and fearless brand of professional support to the sectors I support.”

Jeremy Hertzog, Chair of Innovation, added "Richard is recognised by clients not only as a legal adviser, but as a strategic partner to founders, boards and leadership teams. He is frequently engaged at key moments to help businesses define direction, anticipate regulatory and commercial risk, evaluate options and support informed decision making. His experience advising at the intersection of content, data, and technology strengthens our ability to support clients operating in fast moving, regulated markets."

Richard's appointment is timely as part of Mishcon de Reya's Vision 2030 strategy, enhancing its ability to advise clients on complex, multidisciplinary issues where technology, data, and content are paramount to both value creation and risk management