Paul is still a sought-after lawyer in sports law. His success in managing Manchester City FC`s legal team in his appeal to CAS against UEFA`s decision to ban him from the Champions League for two seasons cemented his position at the top of the sporting rights tree. As a seasoned and accomplished litigator, Harris & Coffey takes a relationship-driven approach to ensuring our clients receive the best possible legal advice and outcomes. Whether it`s a settlement or a dispute, we do whatever is necessary in the best interest of our clients. In July 2020, Harris allegedly called Gilchrist in her office and told her that he no longer represented her and that she could owe the IRS up to $350,000 and that she would have to see a lawyer elsewhere. Harris allegedly returned his jewellery and gave him two cheques for $25,000 each from his personal account dated August 15 and September 15. All that was left of his pay, Harris reportedly said, that he would make it available at a later date. Asked about the large sum of money, Harris reportedly said he would not return it. Paul`s practice includes representing numerous football clubs as well as agents, players, directors, regulators and other business entities associated with the sport. Recent regular clients include Manchester City FC, Manchester City Womens FC, Leeds United FC, Liverpool FC, Manchester United FC, Hull FC, Leicester City FC, Watford FC, West Bromwich Albion, QPR, Fulham FC, Derby FC, Luton FC, Plymouth Argyle FC, Middlesborough FC, Tottenham Hotspur FC, Chelsea FC, Arsenal FC, Aston Villa FC, Crystal Palace FC and Newcastle United FC. Paul is highly experienced in all sorts of other sports and sports commercial disputes, in all disciplinary and regulatory forums, including CAS.
For example, Paul Saracens represents RFC and has worked regularly for RFUs. Paul`s practice continues to see a particular focus where his true expertise and experience in sports, entertainment, music, and other media relations intersect, particularly with respect to broadcasting/streaming (e.g., collective sale and purchases) and joint ventures/projects, etc. Paul is recognised as one of the 2021 Hot 100 by The Lawyer Media, Entertainment & Sports stating that the `new silk` Paul Harris is “extremely intelligent but down to earth” and deserves praise for his “considerable experience in sports law matters and familiarity with the rules and regulations of the Premier League and Football Association”. Legal 500, 2011 Paul has appeared in many other high-profile cases before the Court of Appeal on issues of public/European administrative law: Read the full ethics complaint against attorney Paul Harris here. In competition law: He is a particularly popular choice as lead counsel in consequential damages proceedings, not least because of his exceptional litigation skills. “He`s absolutely a pleasure to work with, he`s incredibly smart and really a litigator.” “He`s very good at strategizing.” Chambers UK, 2014 Under competition/EU law, Paul Harris QC is “praised for his expertise and skill, he is described by lawyers as `a fantastic street fighter in court`. He acted in the high-profile case Hays Specialist Recruitment Ltd v. Office of Fair Trading. – Chambers UK, 2012 In addition to competition, Paul has extensive experience in many other areas of EU law – such as state aid and free movement and establishment – and regularly appears before the CJEU and the General Court. Recent CJEU appearances have focused on animal health, customs valuation, taxation, television broadcasting and intra-Community service provision.
“When something happens in your life, you become very vulnerable,” Gilchrist says in the last paragraph of his complaint. “Because of this vulnerability, you rely heavily on your lawyer as a trusted advisor. I do not feel that my case has received the attention necessary to solve my problems effectively and efficiently. Which sections would you like to include in your PDF download? Sport: “He`s very smart, responsive and a true heavyweight defender. “He`s a combative driving force that`s good at detail and strategy. – Chambers UK, 2016 EU & Competition recommends Paul Harris QC as a silk leader. Legal 500, 2011 “Receives recognition from respondents as `very strong advocate in court` and `outstanding advocate in sport-related matters`, Who`s Who Legal UK Bar 2019. Gilchrist`s complaint includes a letter from Harris` law firms dated November 24, 2020, in response to a letter she had previously sent him that is not included in the complaint. Harris said he strongly disagreed with Gilchrist`s claims. Other recent CJEU cases in which Paul has appeared are RTL Television (application of the “Television without Frontiers” Directive to films and soap operas), Tempelman (vires from EU disease control legislation) and Bacardi (alcohol advertising at sporting events).
“Enormously well regarded” in the sports sector. He is described by his colleagues as “a very intelligent and strong lawyer” and receives praise for his work in arbitration and litigation” – Sports, Who`s Who Legal UK Bar 2019 Competition Law: “Incredibly fearless, concise and determined”. “He`s insightful and amazing, both on his feet and in preparation.” “His cross-examination was phenomenal and really compelling.” – Chambers UK & Chambers Global, 2016 Paul Harris and Kevin Coffey have a proven track record. With over 55 years of combined experience, we have always won multi-million dollar cases. These include Boughton (the case of conscientious objectors under section 9), ex p. Jackson (section 10 Right to a public or other inquiry) and Taylor (section 14 and meaning of “victim” under the Human Rights Act). On June 26, 2017, Gilchrist said it had signed a royalty agreement granting Harris a $95,000 advance. Because Harris was essentially in possession of all her money, Gilchrist claimed she was forced to rely on him to pay her trust bills, including car payments, homeowners association fees, property taxes and utility bills. Gilchrist claimed that most of them were not paid and were late, while her boyfriend was forced to fill the void. Harris will hire Gilchrist as an employee in various capacities until 2020. “Paul Harris of Monckton Chambers is another player with a huge profile in the sports sector.
He is often involved in sports affairs from a competitive perspective and is praised for his advocacy style, which is “direct and direct – he understands the need to avoid the kind of pyrotechnics that some of his colleagues use and alienate sports fields”. – Chambers UK, 2011 Leading silk in Competition: “Paul is rightly respected as one of the best lawyers in the field. He is a clear and energetic lawyer, a brilliant technician and a very intelligent strategist. – Legal 500, 2023 Paul remains qualified as an EU lawyer after Brexit after being admitted to the Irish Bar in 2018. Silk leader in competition: “Very pragmatic and simple.” – Legal 500, 2020 In April 2019, Gilchrist also claims that Harris asked her sister Gina Slyder for more money, apparently to prevent the IRS from creating a lien on a Gilchrist condominium. A cheque for $25,000 was provided, which Harris Slyder allegedly asked to remain silent. Harris did not give a promissory note for that check until June 2019, after which Gilchrist claimed that her treatment of her had dropped sharply. Clients include clubs, associations, national associations, leagues, agents, players, directors and business partners. Paul regularly represents clients from abroad, particularly from the US, Middle East, ACPA and EU/EEA, with numerous disputes in which he is involved having a multi-jurisdictional perspective and multi-forum disputes. Gilchrist later claimed that Harris, accompanied by her brother Robert Harris, took her home and returned a locker containing $55,000 in cash, as well as jewelry and other valuables. Gilchrist claims Harris ordered him to remove the items for fear of a raid by federal investigators.
Florida-based JoLynn Gilchrist filed a lawsuit against attorney Paul Harris on Sept. 27, describing the case as a “federal matter where a tax return was filed and structured.” In the 12-page complaint, Gilchrist reports about three years of interactions with Harris, who had represented her in another case a few months before the period mentioned in her complaint.