SMB Boosts Sports Practice with New Partner Hire

We are delighted to welcome sports specialist, James Thorndyke to the Partnership. James joins the firm from DLA Piper.

James’ arrival is the second major lateral Partner hire for the SMB Sports Practice in under a year, following new Head of Sports Disputes, Barrington Atkins  who joined in May 2025.  These appointments underscores a strategic expansion of the firm’s sport offering, reflecting a clear and deliberate investment in the sector, strengthening the team’s capabilities and deepening its presence across the industry.

With over 15 years of experience, James is a sports disputes and regulatory specialist focused on representing athletes, clubs, agents, rights holders and governing bodies in complex disciplinary proceedings, regulatory investigations, intellectual property/brand protection matters and high stakes commercial disputes.  He has handled several, high-profile matters, many in the High Court.

SMB’s well established Sports Practice, ably led by Marc Sobol, acts for a wide range of clients across the sporting world, from individual athletes and sports agents to clubs and governing bodies.  From commercial, corporate and IP to disputes, regulatory and criminal matters, the team is able to pull together a wide range of specialist lawyers to support clients whatever the challenge.

“We are absolutely thrilled that James has joined the SMB family.  As regulation, investment and commercial opportunities grow and become increasingly complex across the sports sector, our thriving and highly experienced sports team is increasingly well positioned to meet demand at the very highest level.  It’s a great time to be joining SMB too – we have ambitious plans for the future of the firm and we are all excited to see James thrive at SMB.”

Speaking on his arrival, James Thorndyke said:

“I am delighted to be joining SMB a Partner to further establish and develop the firm’s excellent sports law practice.  SMB’s existing strength in dispute resolution and reputation management provides an exceptional platform from which build a leading sports practice.”

James’ arrival brings the total number of Partners at SMB to 50, with a firm wide head count of 161.