Dean Wattis, special counsel – sports law, is one of Holding Redlich’s more recent team members. He has vast experience in the sports and entertainment industries having acted for a number of large domestic and international sporting organisations.
Wattis tells
Australasian Lawyer about why he loves his job, and the latest issues facing the industry.
How would you describe lawyers in three words?
Solve client problems.
How did you end up specialising in sports law?
I have always had an interest in sport and when the opportunity arose to work in this area, I grabbed it.
What is the biggest issue in sporting law at the moment?
The infiltration of organised crime in sport.
What do you love most about your job?
Being involved with the large variety of topical issues involved in sport on a daily basis.
Which sporting teams do you follow?
Hawthorn Football Club. Durban Sharks. Green Bay Packers.
What is it like dealing with high profile athletes?
Very good. They are generally outcome focused.
What is the strangest or most interesting matter you’ve been involved with?
From a sporting organisational point of view-player disciplinary/behavioural issues.
If you weren’t a lawyer what would you be doing instead?
Grading sand on a beach in St . Barths French West Indies.
How do you take your coffee?
In limited doses.
