Formula One lawyer to bring sporting expertise

Aug 15 2007 By Rebekah Ashby, The Journal

A LAWYER who has worked with some of the top names in motorsport – including the Williams Formula One team – has joined the commercial team of a North law firm.

Blackett Hart & Pratt LLP has appointed Stephen Greenway as a partner in its Business & Company Law team.

Stephen was sole in-house counsel for Williams F1, headed by North-East-born Sir Frank Williams, where he dealt with all the legal and commercial affairs of the team, from engine supply and sponsorship contracts. He also managed legal proceedings for the team in Italy following the tragic death of Ayrton Senna in the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.

Stephen continues to represent a number of Formula One, World Rally and other high profile motor sport teams.

Stephen also worked in-house in Jaguar Cars and Rover Group, where he advised on matters ranging from major tooling purchase contracts to overseas distribution agreements and international joint ventures. Most recently, he has worked as a consultant in business and company law, based in the North-East.

He continues to work with other sports teams, sportsmen and women and their management teams on contractual affairs and on sponsorship issues. He will use his experience to support the new BHP Sport division and extend the firm’s services to his existing clients.

Stephen explained: “Sport is an industry like any other. Once you take away the specifics that apply to a particular sport the legal issues are the same. Formula One teams, for instance, have the same problems with suppliers, employment issues, planning disputes and intellectual property to protect as other businesses.”

Stephen, who lives in Tynemouth, will help to develop the Business & Company Law division at BHP, strengthening the team at the firm’s Newcastle Quayside office.

He will also work with his fellow partner Matthew Rippon on non-contentious intellectual property work, protecting and exploiting clients’ IP assets.