Stephen O'FlahertyPartner

I joined Lewis Silkin in 2012 as a paralegal and became a Partner in April 2022. Before joining the firm I gained experience working in Legal Procurement and Cost Consultancy. I worked as a Business Development and Account Manager for an Irish Telecoms group prior to qualification as a solicitor.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts (2003) and a Bachelor of Laws (2008) awarded by National University of Ireland, Galway. I qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2012 after completing the Legal Practice Course.

I also hold a Post-Graduate Certificate in Sports Law awarded by De Montfort University in 2016 and am a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association.

Immigration & Global Mobility

My work is split between general commercial immigration and the recruitment of International Sportspeople (see below).

I work with a lot of companies in the tech sector and have experience of advising companies from start-up stage right through to IPO, ensuring they have the support and processes required to recruit international talent effectively and remain compliant with their duties as Sponsor Licence holders.

Our aim is to take the stress out of the visa application process and ensure employees have a positive onboarding experience.

Sports Business

I advise sports clubs and agencies on the international transfer of players and coaches with a focus on football. I work closely with recruitment and analysis teams to review player’s eligibility for Governing Body Endorsements and advise on appeals where they do not meet the automatic criteria. I also advise on visa applications under the International Sportsperson route for players, coaches and their families.

I have extensive experience advising on the recruitment of international coaching staff and understand the importance of managing the onboarding of up to 10 new coaches and support staff quickly and compliantly. I have advised on the recruitment of 7 of the current Premier League management teams.

My recent work includes:

• Advising a number of football clubs in the Premier League and Championship on the recruitment and hire of a management team
• Advising football clubs on the compliance requirements post-takeover and managing the process to ensure the club can continue recruiting international players during the transfer window
• Advised a Governing Body on the recruitment of the national team head coaching and additional coaches
• Successfully advising a Premier League Club at Exceptions Panel on an out of contract player;
• Advising Transfer Edge on the development of their GBE Calculator & platform
• Advising a professional golf tour on it’s UK tour event
• Successfully advising several clubs at Youth Player Exceptions Panels
• Advised on over 100 International Sportsperson applications in 2022.