The 20 best Sports Law lawyers in France in 2026
Jean-Jacques Bertrand is among the professionals included in the ranking prepared by Impact Lawyers.
| Lawyer | Law firm | Main profile |
|---|---|---|
| Jean-Jacques Bertrand | Cabinet Bertrand | Sports regulation and litigation |
| Thierry Granturco | Granturco & Partners | Football and international regulation |
| Thibaud d’Alès | Clifford Chance | Sports, litigation and transactions |
| Didier Poulmaire | Poulmaire Avocat & Fiduciaire | Athletes, image and contracts |
| Thomas Clay | Clay Arbitration | Sports arbitration |
| Yves Wehrli | Clifford Chance | Sports governance and transactions |
| Romain Soiron | Joffe & Associés | Contracts and sports entities |
| Jacques Messeca | Franklin | Taxation and sports law |
| Smaïn Guennad | De Gaulle Fleurance | Sports and entertainment |
| Jean-Luc Juhan | Latham & Watkins | Audiovisual rights and technology |
| Georgie Courtois | Simmons & Simmons | Sports, media and digital |
| Emmanuel Durand | DWF | Sports and litigation |
| Patricia Moyersoen | Moyersoen Avocat | Arbitration and sports discipline |
| Charles Amson | Cabinet Charles Amson | Sports and public law |
| Michel Pautot | Cabinet Michel Pautot | European sports law |
| Jean-Pierre Karaquillo | Karaquillo Avocats | Sports institutions and regulation |
| Alvyn Gobardhan | Joffe & Associés | Contracts and professional sports |
| Clément Gandibleux | Clifford Chance | Sports transactions |
| Jean-Baptiste Guillot | Borghese Associés | Football and sports contracts |
| Cédric Cohen | Cabinet Cédric Cohen | Sports litigation and discipline |
How the ranking was prepared
This ranking does not reproduce the order of any directory. Impact Lawyers has cross-referenced individual recognitions from Chambers France, Legal 500, Leaders League and other professional sources, subjecting them to its own editorial weighting. The baseline industry source can be consulted here.
The assessment combines cross-recognition and continuity in directories (30 %), complexity and relevance of verifiable practice (25 %), technical specialization in sports regulation, contracts, audiovisual rights, discipline, arbitration and relations with federations (20 %), professional leadership and independence (15 %) and international, academic or institutional standing (10 %).
Impact Lawyers' own criterion
External bands and tiers are used as evidence, not as a result. Law firm recognition is not automatically transferred to the lawyer, and prominence does not replace specialization. The ability to personally lead matters, build a differentiated practice and work in national and international contexts is also valued.
This method explains why the list and order do not fully coincide with Chambers, Legal 500 or Leaders League. Directories typically rank firms, divide professionals into groups without internal ranking and depend on submission processes. Impact Lawyers converts those signals, along with editorial review, into an individual selection.
Featured professionals
Jean-Jacques Bertrand stands out for the balance between track record, specialization, leadership and sustained recognition. Thierry Granturco and Thibaud d’Alès are also among the featured professionals in this selection. Differences between closely ranked profiles may be narrow.
How it should be interpreted
The ranking expresses a general assessment based on public information available in 2026. It does not measure fees, does not guarantee outcomes and does not claim that an included professional is the best choice for any matter. The specific selection must consider the dispute, the sector, the jurisdiction, availability, language, budget and the relationship of trust.
Professional trajectories can change. Before publishing future updates, it is advisable to verify partner movements, new structures, and potential conflicts of interest. The 2026 edition functions as a reasoned snapshot of the French market, not as a permanent certification.
