Member Profile

Accomplished Sports and Sports Event lawyer with 8 years' achievement organizing and leading operational delivery of major sports events in Japan and a further 6 years managing global events. A subject matter expert in sports law, advises International Sports Federations, develops and executes strategic programs ensuring rights protection and media campaigns to continuously drive promotion, strengthen market position and increase business revenue and ensures event delivery standards are met. Also experienced at managing multiple stakeholder relationships from local organising committees, rights owners, sponsors to vendors.

With career-long success in sports business management, legal consultation, and event organization, is a skilled, commercially focused negotiator who ensures events deliver on revenue forecasts and on contractual obligations to sponsors, advertisers, stakeholders and the local organisation committees in compliance with city/host agreements.

Sports & Events Law: Legal Advice & Consultation, Business & Commercial Planning, Stakeholder Management, Bid & Tender Reviews, Risk Management, Contract Negotiation & Activation, IP & Rights Protection, Licensing, Advertisers, Sponsors, TV, Digital, Merchandising, Conflict Resolution, Arbitration, Mediation, Sport Integrity & Governance.

Sports and Events Management: Event Branding & Promotion, Ambush & Guerrilla Marketing, Event & Venue Management, QA, Regulatory Compliance, Logistics, Contracting & Contract Governance, Vendor Management, Hospitality, Security, VIPs, Staff Leadership & Supervision, Ticketing, Contingency planning, Visa Requirements.

World Rugby - Head Japan Legal Counsel, Head of Rights Protection in Japan for World Rugby for the Rugby World Cup 2019 & Representative Director of World Rugby Services 2019 GK, JAPAN RUGBY WORLD CUP 2019, TOKYO, JAPAN, 2014–Present

World Rugby - Acting General Manager for the Rugby World Cup 2019, 2014–2016

- Senior Partner, Atsumi & Sakai Lawyers Tokyo Japan, 2011–Present

- Chief Manager International Business Affairs & Commercial Operations Asia, FC Bayern Munchen AG (July 2005-December 2010)

- International Football Advisor, Urawa Red Diamonds 2006-2010

- International Event Manager, International Football matches and events 1995 - 2004

- Associate Lawyer, Special Counsel & General Manager, Dunhill Madden Butler Laywers

- Athlete Volunteer/member of the Board – Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association 1989 –1999

- Lecturer – Bond University –1992 – 1994

- Torch Bearer for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games

- Admitted: State of Queensland, Australia (1997)

- Registered Foreign Lawyer (The Laws of Australia, State of Queensland) (2012)

- Daini Tokyo Bar Association (2012)

- Hitotsuhubashi University School of Law – legal Issues Facing International Sports Events – 2017-2018

- Keiei Chousa Kenkyukai - "The Law and Business of Sporting Events: Things to Understand in the Lead up to the Tokyo　Olympics - 2015

- Daini Tokyo Bar Association Sports Law Study Group

- Japan Sports Law Association

- Executive Councillor, Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ANZCCJ) (2018-Present).

- Co-Chair of the Sports for Business Committee (ANZCCJ) (2018-Present).

- Australian Olympic Team Appeal Committee Member, Australia Olympic Committee (July 2019-Present).

- Japan Sports Arbitration Agency - Candidate for sports arbitrator and adjuster - 2013- present

- The Best Lawyers in Japan 2020 Corporate and M&A Law, Sports Law

- The Best Lawyers in Japan 2019 Corporate and M&A Law, Sports Law

- The Best Lawyers in Japan 2018 Corporate and M&A Law

- The Best Lawyers in Japan 2017 Corporate and M&A Law

- Who's Who Legal Japan 2015 Sports & Entertainment - Sport

- The Best Lawyers in Japan 2016 Corporate and M&A Law

- The Best Lawyers in Japan 2014-2015 Corporate and M&A Law

- Who's Who Legal Japan 2014 Sports

- Who's Who Legal 2014 Sports & Entertainment

- Who's Who Legal 2013 Sports and Entertainment

- Best Lawyers 2013 "Best Lawyers" Corporate and M&A