Harriet’s core practice is corporate law but she also has significant experience in commercial matters and corporate governance. Since joining Onside Law, Harriet has enjoyed secondments at national governing bodies, the BHA and the WRU. Recent highlights include closing a SEIS/EIS fundraising for Jennis (Jessica Ennis-Hill) and acting on the transfer of ownership of a football club. Harriet leads the firm’s engagement with Women in Football.
Harriet Leach’s comprehensive understanding of women’s sport, including current challenges and solutions. Extremely strong collaborator and extremely supportive.
-
Location
London
-
Skills
Corporate, Commercial and Corporate Governance
-
Previous Clubs
DLA Piper, British Horseracing Authority (on loan) and Welsh Rugby Union (on loan)
-
Specialisms
M&A, Investment (including shareholder arrangements and joint ventures), Corporate Governance, Women’s Sport (including women’s football) and Esports.
As a lead transactional lawyer, Harriet advises clients across the sports and media sectors, from start-ups to listed companies on all aspects of corporate law (including M&A, investments, shareholder and joint venture arrangements and sport structuring (including, new leagues/breakaways, sport funding and mergers)) for clients such as SMG Insight, ASO/Human Race and BWT. Harriet also acts for international federations and national governing bodies including European Professional Club Rugby, the ECB and the WPBSA on a range of governance matters, including constitutional changes, commercial partnerships and players’ associations. She also helped establish World Snooker Federation in Switzerland.
Harriet has particular experience in the emerging world of esports, advising the leading esports company, Gfinity on a whole variety of matters, including hosting the Formula 1 Esports Series and ePremier League. Harriet is passionate about the evolution of Women in Sport and recently helped the ECB restructure women’s domestic cricket in England and the FIA with its “Girls on Track” project.
In April 2021, Harriet co-authored the UK chapter in Chambers & Partners Global Practice Guide “Sports Law 2021”.
Harriet relaxes by strength and conditioning training at Un1t, sailing on the Isle of Wight and watching Chelsea F.C. Women and the Lionesses.