| The Legal 500 |
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| The Legal 500 Series provides the most comprehensive worldwide coverage on legal services providers and is used by commercial and private clients, both nationally and internationally. The series is widely regarded as offering the definitive judgment of law firm capabilities. The 2009 edition of The Legal 500 makes the following comment: MBG LLP's name partner Nick Bitel is hailed by clients as a 'brilliant adviser', and is particularly strong on sports litigation relating to competition, ticketing and doping. Louise Roberts is also recommended. |
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| Chambers UK Guide |
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| Chambers has published a leading directory of the legal profession and the following comment appears in the Chambers UK 2008 entry: "For his "outstanding" events work, Nick at Max Bitel Greene LLP earns market recognition as "one of the finest and busiest sports lawyers in the country." He has acted for Wimbledon, the London Marathon and the Ryder Cup. Peers also admire his skills in football disciplinary cases." |
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| Olympic Park Role |
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| MBG LLP partner Nick Bitel has been appointed to the Board of the Olympic Park Legacy Company. The Olympic Park Legacy Company aims to create a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Games by developing the Park to become, in time, a new and prosperous metropolitan area of the city. The Company was established in May 2009 by its founders, the Government and Mayor of London, as a public sector not-for profit company which is responsible for the long term planning, development, management and maintenance of the Olympic Park and its facilities after the 2012 Games. |
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| The Legacy Company will be in charge of what will be the largest new park in London for 100 years and be responsible for the delivery of more than 10,000 new homes and the management of first class sports facilities. Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: "The strength and depth of this new Board brings an exceptionally rich mix of experience to the table. Their combined skills, ranging from property development and regeneration to international business and marketing, will ensure we deliver our vision of transforming east London into a fantastic new quarter of the capital and a must visit destination for visitors from around the world." Communities Secretary John Denham said: “I am delighted to see a high quality Board in place with a wealth of experience that I am confident will prove invaluable in driving forward the Olympic Park Legacy Company”. |
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| Brand Protection and Sport Events |
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| Louise Roberts has had continuing success with the brand protection work carried out for The Wimbledon Championships, The RFU, The ECB, The London Marathon and The Ryder Cup. |
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| Football |
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| MBG LLP acted most recently on behalf of Emmanuel Adebayor in respect of his transfer to Manchester City. |
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| MBG LLP also acted on behalf of First Artist Corporation Plc. in respect of Tottenham Hotspur’s appointment of Harry Redknapp as Manager. Nick Bitel also acted in respect of the deadline day transfer of Russian International footballer Andrei Arshavin from Zenit St Petersburg to Arsenal football club. |
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| Nick Bitel and Zane Shihab, acting for football agent Charles Collymore, scored a resounding victory against the Football Association. The verdict reached by the independent Regulatory Commission, which marked the end of disciplinary proceedings lasting nearly three years, found that none of the six charges against Charles Collymore were proved. |
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| Sponsorship |
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| MBG LLP have assisted with putting in place one of the highest profile sports sponsorships in the UK. Virgin will be title sponsor of the London Marathon from the period after the 2009 event until at least 2014. The sponsorship will see the annual race being known as the Virgin London Marathon. Virgin’s sponsorship extends to the associated wheelchair and mini-marathons. |
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| Now that the commercial agreements are in place. Nick and Louise look forward to working with the Ryder Cup team again in 2010 at Celtic Manor. |
