Gaming & Gambling: Global-wide
Well-respected practitioner
Jamie Nettleton of Addisons advises several large international operators on the regulatory environment in Australia. His client base includes gaming machine manufacturers, sports betting operators, software suppliers and casino operators. Clients praise him as
"a gaming expert and a first-rate lawyer."Joe Kelly of A&L Goodbody in Ireland heads the firm's gaming and betting group. Peers praise him as
"the number-one attorney in Dublin" and admire his strong regulatory connections.
In Belgium,
Philippe Vlaemminck of ALTIUS works closely with regulators and authorities, and is very well connected with the EU administration. He regularly acts for the Belgian Gaming Commission and the Belgian State, with highlights including representing the state in all gambling cases at the Court of Justice of the EU and EFTA Court.
Santiago Asensi Gisbert of Asensi Abogados is lauded as one of the best gaming lawyers in Spain. He has a particular focus on online gaming.
"He is a pioneer, and a mover and shaker in this area. He is a well-balanced and omnipresent name in the market," sources say.
Dotan Baruch of Barnea & Co, Law Offices is well known for acting for numerous international clients on both on-land and online gaming, and regularly gives advice on European jurisdictions. He is able to liaise with other experts in his office to provide a full service to his clients, covering tax, corporate and commercial law.
Bruno Nunes of BN Lawyers is highly regarded for gaming matters in Macau, and is praised by clients as
"a very efficient lawyer, in terms of both time and costs." He also advises clients in the Philippines and Korea.
Thomas Talos of Brandl & Talos Rechtsanwälte GmbH handles a broad range of transactional matters. He has a background in corporate law and a reputation as one of the top gaming lawyers in Austria.
"He is probably one of the best lawyers I've seen in my career and has a good sense of the nuances," said one client.
Star individual
Frank Schreck of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP does a great deal of internet gaming work, and also has a strong record in land-based gaming. Sources note the breadth of his expertise, and he is the primary point of contact for several clients and peers seeking advice on Nevada gaming laws. According to observers, he is
"brilliant, quick, very sharp and to the point."Sources consider
Cristina Romero de Alba of Loyra Abogados to be
"a rising star in Spain." She regularly advises Latin American clients on regulatory issues.
Constantinos Couccoullis of Constantinos N. Couccoullis & Associates is very well known for his prominence in Greece. He frequently speaks at gaming conferences and is an active IMGL member.
Michael Lipton of Dickinson Wright LLP is a Toronto-based lawyer, and a favourite attorney for operators seeking global advice on regulations. Peers praise him for remaining abreast of key regulatory developments.
Robert Stocker of Dickinson Wright PLLC in Michigan is highly involved in land-based gaming across the USA, and has advised state governments on establishing regulatory frameworks for gaming and gambling. Peers respect his extensive experience in the field.
Albert Agustinoy of DLA Piper Spain is greatly admired for his knowledge of Spanish gaming law, and regularly handles cross-border matters to help operators obtain licences in Spain.
Stephen Ketteley of DLA Piper UK LLP has strong expertise in online gambling matters, and advises clients on key regulatory developments. Peers describe him as
"very capable and a tremendously good lawyer." The impressive
Hilary Stewart-Jones of DLA Piper UK LLP enjoys a reputation as one of the UK's top gaming lawyers. Clients praise her
"empathy with the products and with the industry," and peers admire her proactive approach to resolving clients' issues.
In Atlantic City,
Nicholas Casiello of Fox Rothschild LLP represents a number of major names in complex and high-profile gaming matters. Recently, he advised a leading investment company on the formation of a joint venture to participate in internet gaming in the USA. He is praised by commentators as
"a lawyer's lawyer – he's incredibly professional and always accessible."Carlos Alberto Fonseca Sarmiento of Varela & Fonseca Abogados in Peru acts for a range of clients on regulatory matters across Latin America, and advises several governments and other authorities.
Wulf Hambach of Hambach & Hambach is among the most prominent gaming attorneys in Germany. He is involved in advising European governments on gambling regulations, and is also a favourite choice for large clients seeking in-depth knowledge of gaming law in European jurisdictions.
John Hagan of Harris Hagan is a highly respected gaming and gambling attorney with strong litigation experience.
"He's very well connected. If US operators are interested in the EU, they go to him," sources say.
His colleague
Julian Harris is a very well-regarded gambling specialist who acts for major gaming corporations and trade associations, including the Casino Operators Association and the British Casino Association.
Peter Montegriffo of Hassans International Law Firm is regarded by peers as
"very well connected, with the strongest practice in Gibraltar." He works for a number of major clients in Gibraltar, a key gaming jurisdiction.
Meir Linzen is at Herzog Fox & Neeman alongside Gil White, and is one of the most experienced gaming lawyers in Israel. His background as a tax lawyer enables him to provide a broad range of services to his clients.
Gil White of Herzog Fox & Neeman is considered by market commentators to be one of the best gaming lawyers in Israel. Clients find him
"nothing short of exceptional. He balances an extremely thorough understanding and application of the law with very acute and pragmatic business sense." He has been assisting a number of high-profile clients with acquiring Nevada licences.
Nina Henningsen of Horten Law Firm has recently been involved in lobbying work relating to the Danish government's gambling regulations. Peers consider her to be a rising star in Denmark, and she represents a number of significant clients.
"She is a very good lawyer and I was very impressed by her performance," said one interviewee.
Diane Mullenex of Ichay & Mullenex Associés is a highly regarded gaming attorney based in Paris. She represents a number of high-profile clients, such as bwin.party, PKR and Partouche. Sources praise her for being
"very knowledgeable and the best gaming lawyer in France." The outstanding
Tony Coles of Jeffrey Green Russell Limited has extensive knowledge and experience of acting for operators and regulators.
"He's at the top of most people's lists," sources say.
Well-known practitioner
Nicholas Nocton is at the same firm, and is praised by his peers for being
"very skilled, knowledgeable and experienced." He has recently been involved in a number of cross-border matters.
Kelly Duncan of Jones Walker Waechter Poitevent Carrère & Denègre LLP is the current president of the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL), and has a strong reputation for his work in jurisdictions in the southern USA. He is
"well connected and highly regarded," say sources, as well as
"very smart and a good communicator with excellent connections who gives good advice." Justin Franssen recently joined Kalff Katz & Franssen Attorneys at Law after leaving VMW Taxand, and has significant online gaming experience, having been involved in the sector for more than a decade. He maintains a strong involvement in shaping gambling legislation in the Netherlands. According to observers,
"he has a strong and deep passion for the industry and his clients, is very committed and works day and night." Morden Lazarus of Lazarus Charbonneau is based in Montréal, and is thought of as a
"godfather and statesman in Canada" in the gaming field. He works with a number of operators in land-based casinos and net-based internet markets.
The highly regarded
Henrik Norsk Hoffmann of Lett Law Firm is one of the most active gaming lawyers in Denmark.
The impressive
Anthony Cabot of Lewis and Roca LLP is known as one of the go-to lawyers when it comes to online gaming, and peers around the world praise his extremely high level of skill in this area. He has recently advised American Casino and Entertainment Properties on new regulations for interactive gaming in Nevada.
Mark Clayton of Lionel Sawyer & Collins is an accomplished gaming lawyer with a strong focus on internet gaming. He advises major clients and wins praise from market sources for being
"very practical, quick at getting back to people, and has tremendous knowledge." "He has taken his regulatory experience and turned it to a leadership role for helping clients," commentators say.
Robert Faiss of Lionel Sawyer & Collins is one of the major players of the gaming world, and is considered by sources to be
"one of the best ever." He has been advising on regulatory matters for 40 years, and observers admire his invaluable experience and market-leading reputation. He is
"a tremendous guy with a wonderful reputation," commentators say.
Johannesburg-based
Wayne Lurie of Lurie Inc focuses on internet gaming, and is noted by peers for his long and distinguished history in handling gaming matters. He is active both within South Africa and on cross-border matters.
John Maloney of The Law Offices of John K Maloney has significant gaming and gambling experience, with a particular specialisation in regulatory law.
Jörg Hofmann of Melchers focuses much of his practice outside Germany, with the USA, UK, Sweden and Ireland being other key areas of focus. Clients praise him for being
"extremely competent, very accessible, careful when providing legal advice, and consistently right." Based in Washington, DC,
Behnam Dayanim of Paul Hastings LLP is highlighted by observers as
"a genuine gambling law expert who combines a detailed understanding of the federal and state gaming laws with a strong practical business sense." His background in banking and finance enables him to handle a variety of matters for his clients.
The well-regarded
Peter Wilson recently set up his own practice, Peter Wilson Legal. He has considerable gaming experience, as well as a history of taking on white-collar crime matters. Clients value his diligence, connections to regulators and deep knowledge of the industry.
Bill Brown of Rockwell Bates is a Melbourne-based attorney with years of experience in the gaming field. Peers praise the depth of his knowledge.
Peers regard
Quirino Mancini of Sinisi Ceschini Mancini and Partners Law Offices as highly knowledgeable and very experienced working with regulators in the Italian gaming scene.
Heidi Staudenmaier of Snell & Wilmer LLP is widely recognised as a leading expert in Native American gaming law. She has recently been involved in advising on a number of restructuring matters for tribal casinos.
Stefano Sbordoni of Studio legale Sbordoni is a well-regarded Italian gaming attorney with a particular focus on working for lotteries. Interviewees highlight him as
"a lawyer you can really rely on." Thibault Verbiest of Ulys is recognised as a standout Belgian lawyer, and also has excellent
knowledge of the French gaming market.
Garron Whitesman of Whitesmans Attorneys is a highly respected South African gaming lawyer, based in Cape Town. Peers admire his work on internet gaming, and praise his
"very well-developed practice." Olga Finkel of WH Partners is widely recognised as one of the standout gaming lawyers in Malta, which is a key jurisdiction for gaming. In addition to her considerable presence there, she also has strong connections in Eastern Europe. She recently advised Betsson on the Maltese regulatory aspects of its acquisition of Nordic Gaming Group.
Clients value
James Scicluna, who works alongside Olga Finkel at WH Partners in Malta, for his business-minded approach and commercial expertise. He advises on a number of European jurisdictions, including Greece and Portugal.