Brodies scores with addition of Stillie to sports law team

Derek, who joins Brodies as an associate based in the firm’s Glasgow office, enjoyed a successful career as a goalkeeper for Aberdeen, Dundee United, Wigan Athletic, Dunfermline Athletic and Gillingham, as well as representing Scotland at under-21 level and as a member of the full Scotland squad.

Derek embarked on a legal career in 2000, when, while playing for Wigan, he began studying towards a law degree in his spare time. In 2008, having retired from professional football, he joined the London office of New York law firm Dewey & LeBoeuf, moving to Kennedys before returning to Scotland and joining Brodies.

Combining his legal expertise and first-hand sporting experience, Derek has represented clients including premier league football clubs, a major sports management agency, an Aviva Premiership rugby union club, sports agents, international footballers and rugby players, an Olympic athlete and a European PGA Tour professional. This has involved advising on matters including advising on the interpretation of FIFA statutes, FA disciplinary proceedings and arbitrations, image rights agreements, intellectual property rights and sports agreements, employment tribunals and the FA Fit and Proper Person Test.

Derek, who is dual qualified in Scottish and English law, joins Brodies’ business disputes & asset recovery team, which is ranked top tier in the independent legal directories and is part of Scotland’s largest dispute resolution & litigation practice. He will complement the members of the firm’s regulatory, corporate and private client teams with sports law expertise who regularly provide advice on a variety of sporting matters.

Stephen Goldie, head of business disputes & asset recovery, said: “Derek has a track record in delivering results for sports clients involved in contentious matters. The experience gained through his professional sporting life combined with his legal career to date make him well placed to understand the legal needs of clients involved in all manner of sports.

“He will augment our top ranked business disputes team and will play a key role in the development of Brodies services in this area.”