Linklaters adds more Paul Weiss litigators in New York

Linklaters has hired three more litigators from Paul Weiss in New York, continuing its expansion of a high-profile sports disputes team known for advising FIFA.

César Rivière joins as a partner alongside counsel Grant May and associate Cara Day, reuniting with senior litigators Chris Boehning and Daniel Levi, who made the same move last month in a major coup for the UK firm.

Boehning has served as lead counsel to FIFA, with him and Levi advising football's governing body on a range of matters, including those relating to the 2026 World Cup.

The latest hires continue Linklaters' investment in the US, where the firm has grown its partnership by more than 75% over the past five years as it seeks to build a stronger position in the world's largest legal market.

Boehning, now chair of Linklaters' global sports practice and US strategic disputes team, said he was "thrilled" to be reunited with Rivière, May and Day, adding that their arrival “further strengthens the team now in place at Linklaters and the opportunity to build out the firm’s litigation and sports capabilities for clients.”

FIFA in focus

The expanded team arrives as FIFA grapples with the collapse of plans to bring in private investors through a new commercial vehicle holding the rights to the men's World Cup.

Last week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino unveiled plans to sell a minority stake in the proposed entity before shelving the proposal days later following opposition from UEFA and several continental football federations.

Linklaters did not immediately comment when asked by Non-Billable whether the newly assembled team had been instructed by FIFA on any matters relating to the proposals.