Justin Walkey

I've been with Bird & Bird for over three decades, guiding our long-term development in numerous leadership and management roles including as a former member of our global board and as Chairman of our operations in the Asia Pacific region.

I founded our Sports/Media Group in 1990 and over the last two decades have built it into a market leading UK and international practice handling corporate, commercial, regulatory and disciplinary work for a wide range of marquee sports bodies, major events, leagues, teams and individuals as their trusted legal/business advisers.

I am well known in the market for media, data, betting and marketing rights work for buyers/sellers/intermediaries and have acted on major infrastructure projects as well as bank and PE financings. I am well versed in sports business PR and sports politics and regularly help sports bodies and commercial business navigate these waters.

In 2012, I relocated to Hong Kong to manage our operations in Asia Pacific and served as Chairman, Asia Pacific until 2023. I am continuing to support our business in Asia Pacific as a Senior Consultant and Senior Adviser for China/ASEAN and in the development of our clients in the region. This includes those headquartered in Asia Pacific as well as multinationals either operating in the region or those looking to take their first steps in Asia Pacific.

• Advising The Hong Kong Jockey Club on a range of sponsorship and comingling arrangements.
• Advising the Asian Golf Tour on merger negotiations with the US PGA and European tour.
• Long standing advisor on a range of matters to the Football Association (FA) and Wembley Stadium.
• Extensive work in tennis including representation of leading individual players and National Governing Bodies.