Member Article

Sports lawyer receives special recognition award

Manchester sports lawyer Mark Hovell has been given a special award at the Northwest Football Awards (4 November) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the sport.

The awards recognise the region’s finest contributors to the beautiful game, whether on the pitch or in the boardroom. Mark, who heads up national law firm Mills & Reeve’s sports sector and its Manchester office, received the surprise award from host Dan Walker as the judges felt his personal contribution deserved recognition.

On receiving the award Mark commented: “The Northwest has arguably the strongest affiliation with football in the country. To receive an award alongside some of the all-time greats, such as Sir Alex Ferguson, is a surprise and a huge honour.”

Mills & Reeve is one of only a small number of legal firms which truly specialises in sports law and the Manchester office had been shortlisted for an award to recognise its outstanding provision of professional services. It regularly advises players’ associations and their members, professional football clubs, players and agents on regulatory and legal matters across a number of areas including sports law, tax, pensions, property, crime and health and safety.

Mark is the only Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) appointed English arbitrator in the North West and one of a handful in the UK. Shortly after he won the award, the Professional Footballers’ Association’s official Twitter account tweeted: “Congratulations to @MarkHovell on his Special Recognition Award. Well deserved! #NWFA2013”.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jack Williams .