MAP Legal Recruitment
Commercial Lawyer (Sports & Entertainment)
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Media, Entertainment & Sports Associate — London
The Firm Our client is a full-service international law firm with a well-established London office and a global network spanning multiple continents. The London practice offers partner-led, commercially focused advice to UK and international clients across a broad range of disciplines, including Corporate & M&A, Private Equity, Real Estate, Funds, Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, Restructuring & Insolvency, and Dispute Resolution/International Arbitration, supported by strong Tax, Regulatory, Commercial, Energy, Infrastructure, Employment, Competition, IP, and Data Protection capability.
The firm's client base spans sectors including life sciences, industrials, automotive, real estate, financial services, retail, sport, and media and communications, as well as financial sponsors and private capital clients.
The firm is consistently well-ranked in the leading legal directories and has recently been recognised for excellence in client service. It has a genuine commitment to a diverse, inclusive culture, and is happy to discuss reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process or upon joining.
The Role The firm has a market-leading media, entertainment and sports practice operating across its global network, acting for rights-holders, broadcasters, agencies, and athletes/celebrities. It is looking to strengthen its London team, working closely with colleagues internationally.
They are seeking an ambitious, experienced associate to join a growing, market-leading global M&E&S team based in London. The role covers a broad advisory and transactional practice, frequently with an international dimension.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
This will suit someone who is commercially minded, enjoys business development, and is looking for a collaborative, lean, and energetic team environment. In return, the firm offers a friendly, entrepreneurial, and supportive culture, with a genuinely varied and challenging workload.
Responsibilities
- Advise clients in the media, entertainment and sports sector on commercial transactions, including sponsorship agreements, licensing arrangements, joint ventures, and other complex commercial contracts
- Draft bespoke commercial contracts and lead negotiations through to completion
- Work closely with advisory, transactional, and disputes colleagues on cross-over matters
- Build and maintain strong client relationships, providing pragmatic, strategic advice
- Manage allocated client work, ensuring timely progress, clear communication on costs and status, and consistently excellent service
- Demonstrate strong organisational skills to meet the needs of clients, stakeholders, and the business
- Maintain high standards of client care
- Contribute to business development, both independently and as part of the wider team
- Stay current on legal developments and contribute to thought leadership
- Support the supervision and development of more junior team members
Experience, Skills & Attributes
- Solid experience in commercial contracts, ideally gained at a City, national, large regional, or US law firm with a recognised practice in this field — relevant in-house experience would also be considered
- Sector experience in media, entertainment, and/or sports strongly preferred
- Strong grasp of complex legal principles and their practical application
- Excellent drafting, analytical, and negotiation skills
- Strong oral and written communication, presentation, and influencing skills, with the ability to build relationships quickly at all levels
- Confidence engaging with clients and proactively identifying new business opportunities
- Commercial acumen and a pragmatic approach
- Flexible, hands-on attitude and comfort with rapidly changing circumstances
- Strong interpersonal skills across all levels of seniority
- Solid IT skills (Word, Excel, Outlook)
- Positive, team-oriented approach and ability to act as a role model
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to perform under pressure
- Strong prioritisation and time-management skills, able to juggle multiple workstreams to tight deadlines
- Able to work autonomously as well as collaboratively across a London and international team
- Proactive, using sound independent judgement to anticipate needs
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Qualifications
- Qualified solicitor or barrister in England & Wales, or an overseas equivalent with London market experience
- Undergraduate degree, 2:1 or equivalent
To discuss this opportunity, please contact Matthew Porter at MAP Legal.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location