Speakers: Sam Shurey 3 PB, Marco Floreale Wollens, Louise Hartley 3PB, Xabier de Beristain Humphrey Scornik Gerstein LLP
Sam Shurey
Sam Shurey is Deputy Head of the Sports Law Group at 3PB Barristers. Sam started his career at the criminal bar before moving to an employed role at The Football Association, where he worked as a Regulatory Advocate. Having returned to the self-employed bar, Sam now specialises in disciplinary, safeguarding, and regulatory cases across a range of sports.
Marco Floreale
Marco Floreale originally qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives before completing the Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice in Waterloo, London. He was admitted to the roll in February 2009. He practiced in all aspects of Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution in the UK, before moving to France, South Africa and Mauritius.
Marco joined Wollens in April 2023 and was instrumental in setting up the firms Sports Law Division. In October 2024, Marco was offered partnership, and at the same time was successful in leading the Sports Law Division to obtain a Tier 2 ranking in the Legal 500 in the first year.
Marco’s work in the Sports Law division encompasses:
- Contract Negotiations
- Player Representation
- Regulatory Matters
- Disciplinary Appeals
- Sport Injury Claims
- Sponsorship deals for players and athletes
- Immigration
Wollens’ clients include, as preferred legal partner: a EFL League 1 team, NL & NLS teams, a Division one County Cricket Team, a Rugby League side in the Super League, as well as acting as legal representation for individual based within: Exeter Chiefs Women’s player and staff, Team GB Bobsleigh riders, McLaren GT Endurance Driver, World Champion Para-Cyclist, Junior Cyclists, a PGA Golfer and FIFA Registered Agents with their roster of clients.
Marco’s passion is working with Players, Athletes and clubs to ensure that they can concentrate on what they do best on the pitch and he aims to support and mentor the next generation of Sport Lawyers.
Louise Hartley
Louise Hartley joined 3PB Barristers in October 2024, after a period of five years as Head of Legal at Sport England. During her time at Sport England, she led the commissioning of the Whyte Review into abuse in the sport of gymnastics, advised on the most recent version of the Code for Sports Governance and oversaw the organisation’s role in complaints about National Governing Bodies. She spent her early career at the criminal bar, followed by an in-house role at the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Louise now specialises in professional discipline, alongside disciplinary and safeguarding cases within sport.
Xabier de Beristain Humphrey
Xabier is a sports agent with more than 15 years’ experience. Since its inception in 2009, his company Division X Sports has advised and represented leading British and international athletes, including World Cup and Premier League winners, World Champion boxers and international rugby players. Whilst he is based in London, his network and client roster extend across Europe, North and South America and he can advise clients in English, Spanish, French and German.
Xabier has a particular interest in football and is a FIFA licensed football agent registered with the English FA. Over the years, he has successfully trained hundreds of football agents from around the world and continues to advise small and larger agencies on FIFA, FA and Premier League regulations.
In addition to his agency work, Xabier has also worked as a commercial solicitor for the past 20 years, specialising in sport, company sales/purchases and litigation matters.