With the sports sector rapidly transforming from a collection of national cottage industries into big business, Charles Russell Speechlys (CRS) has substantially beefed up its practice with a takeover of boutique Couchmans.
Founded in 2001 by Nic Couchman, the four-partner firm has seven other fee earners. Heavily focused on sports clients, its practice covers corporate, data protection and intellectual property. Once the combination is complete, Couchman will become head of sport at the top 50 UK law firm. The other three transferring partners are Jody MacDonald (commercial and IP), Nick White (IP) and Satish Khandke (corporate). The takeover will further position CRS in the sports field, where the firm has nine partners operating.
