opportunity to enter the then-emerging field of ‘sports law’. After sending a huge number of applications to sports, media and entertainment firms, I eventually obtained a training contract with a niche sports law firm under the tutelage of one of the top sports lawyers in the country, Nick Bitel (with whom I still work today at Armstrong Teasdale). What significant challenges have you overcome to get where you are today? PETER: The biggest challenges have probably come from macroevents outside anyone’s control. My career has spanned a number of recessions and financial crises. Each one has created ruptures in our clients’ businesses and, consequently, a need to shift gears as a lawyer to develop new skills – from helping growth investors one year to advising failing companies the next. Luckily, corporate lawyers generally are trained to handle a broad range of matters, so it is easier for us to be quick on our feet. ZANE: Whilst any challenges I have faced pale in significance when compared to the difficulties faced by others, it was quite demoralising when I was unable to get my foot in the door of sports law firms when looking for a training contract. Armstrong Teasdale UK Sport Team, led by Zane Shihab “Most of our sports clients are long-standing clients with whom we have enjoyed a working relationship for many, many years.” 14 UNITED KINGDOM Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mjk3Mzkz