From as far back as the 1880s, when partner Reginald Allen represented Australia in a cricket test match against England, the firm has employed many enthusiastic sportspeople, including several Olympic athletes.
The firm's connection with Australian sport extends beyond the participation of its people in events. Allens has been involved in many formative aspects of sports administration in Australia, as well as in the planning and execution of major sporting events, working with the Australian Olympic Committee, Australian Grand Prix, Australian Rugby Union and Australian Cricket Board, among others. This has drawn on resources across all practice areas and all offices of the firm.
For many in Allens, the opportunity to advise on major sporting events is ranked among the highlights of their careers at the firm.
Court of arbitration for sport
An increase in international sports-related disputes during the 1980s led the International Olympic Committee to establish the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Formed in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1984, CAS is an arbitral tribunal for sports-related disputes worldwide. In 1996, with the Atlanta Olympic Games imminent and the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games next in line, CAS established additional offices in Australia and the US.
Allen Allen & Hemsley assisted CAS to establish the Oceania Registry in Sydney, to determine disputes involving parties from the Asia-Pacific region. Since then, arbitration hearings have been managed by Allens lawyers in Allens offices. Partner Miriam Stiel has held the role of permanent secretary since 2018.
Cathy Freeman at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Photograph by Anthony Weate.
Sydney 2000 Olympic Games
On 24 September 1993, Australians were thrilled when the president of the IOC, Juan Antonio Samaranch, announced, ‘The winner is Sydney.’ Allen Allen & Hemsley advised the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and the firm continues to provide advice to the Australian Olympic Committee.
Rugby World Cup 2003
The newly merged Allens Arthur Robinson supported the Rugby World Cup 2003. It was the first time the firm had sponsored such an event and the first time Rugby World Cup had appointed an official law firm for a tournament. The firm provided a range of legal services, including advising on protection of trade marks and other intellectual property rights, litigation, sports law, broadcasting rights and other commercial issues.
Many Australians attended matches, and millions watched from around the world. Over 131,000 people tried their luck at Allens’ online rugby drop-kicking game, launched to celebrate the sponsorship.
Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games
Allens Arthur Robinson was the official law firm of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, when more than 4000 athletes from seventy-one Commonwealth nations arrived in Melbourne to go for gold in seventeen sports. The firm, across all of its offices, worked alongside the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games’ in-house legal team on issues ranging from contractual and supplier negotiations through to preventing ambush marketing.