A Year in Sports Law: Emelia’s Placement Experience with Wollens

At Wollens, we are proud to support the next generation of legal professionals through meaningful placement opportunities. Emelia joined us as part of her year-long placement and has quickly become a valued member of our team. Her passion for sports law and her proactive approach to learning are evident. Working in our Exeter office and in partnership with Exeter City Football Club, Emelia has embraced the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in both private practice and an in-house legal setting. We’re delighted to share her reflections on the first three months of her placement, offering insight into the dynamic world of sports law through her eyes.

By Emelia Berry

I am three months into my year long placement, and I feel incredibly lucky to be immersed in sports law, a dynamic and bespoke area that our law degree doesn’t explore. I am immensely grateful to both Wollens and Exeter City FC, for taking me on and giving me the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in both private practice and an in-house legal environment. This dual perspective is extremely valuable and is allowing me to understand the theory behind sports law and apply it within an active sports environment on a day-to-day basis.

I am really enjoying working in different offices throughout the week, it ensures the job feels fresh, spontaneous and fun. In just 3 months I have already had the chance to contribute to a broad range of matters from drafting agreements and partnerships, to conducting detailed research on different sports, as well as assisting with player transfers. This has taught me how varied and fast-paced sports law can be as you never know what you are going to do next, and so I am constantly learning, developing my skills and experiencing new things which keeps me engaged, interested and working hard.

My week offers a great contrast depending on my location. I spend 2 days a week working with Wollens, where I tackle a variety of legal issues for a range of different sports and athletes. This time provides a crucial immersion into the professional legal environment. My tasks are diverse, including detailed research, preparing presentations and drafting new contracts and agreements. These 2 days give me direct insight into private practice and develop my skills for working with clients, teaching me how to provide the specific services they require.

When I am working with Exeter City FC, I am focusing on providing legal support for the Men’s first team, the Women’s team and the Academy, as well as the Commercial team, Accounts team and any other aspects of the club which require legal help. I work at the Stadium for 2 days a week, and my focus is specifically on crucial commercial matters such as sponsorship and hospitality agreements, which provide a significant source of revenue for this supporter-owned club. Working at the Training Ground gives me a privileged view of the daily preparations within a football club. I am able to witness the operations of the players, coaches, sports analysts, strength and conditioning coaches and all other supporting members of the team. As a football fan, it is fascinating to gain this comprehensive insight into the running of the football club, extending far beyond the 90-minute match on game day.

I am extremely fortunate to be working with the team at Wollens and under the guidance of Marco Floreale, Head of the Sports Law Division, who has significant experience and insight which he is actively sharing with me. His mentorship is providing me with valuable advice on how to navigate the professional legal world. This doesn’t only include the legal technicalities of sports law but also developing my networking skills and guiding me on how to build my confidence so I can fulfil my potential to achieve a successful career. This supportive atmosphere also extends to the club. The team at Exeter City FC have been incredibly supportive and welcoming, ensuring I feel comfortable and involved within the club.

It is incredibly exciting to be working in such a unique and evolving area of law, where I can mix my legal ambitions with my passion for sport, immersing me in an industry where I hope to build my future career. By the end of the year, I aim to have substantially developed my knowledge of sports law and enhanced my commercial awareness. I also intend to strengthen my networking abilities and legal skills through working with clients and colleagues. This immensely rewarding placement opportunity will give me a comprehensive understanding of the legal environment, which will prepare me as I transition into the professional working world after university.

Emelia’s journey so far is a testament to the value of immersive, real-world experience. Her enthusiasm, adaptability and commitment to learning have enabled her to make meaningful contributions across a wide range of legal matters. From drafting contracts to supporting player transfers, Emelia has shown a keen ability to apply her academic knowledge in practical settings. Her time with Wollens and Exeter City FC is not only shaping her understanding of sports law but also helping her build the confidence and skills needed for a successful legal career. We look forward to supporting Emelia throughout the remainder of her placement and watching her continue to grow in this exciting field.