Max Shephard

Max Shephard is a barrister at 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square, specialising in regulatory, commercial, employment, and sports law. In relation to the latter, Max has been instructed by national and international federations, clubs, and players, whilst also serving as Chair of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation's Anti-Doping Disciplinary Committee and as a member of Sport Resolutions’ Pro Bono Panel.[1] Indeed, Max’s expertise in the sports industry has been recognised by The Legal 500.[2]
 
1. What made you decide to become a barrister, rather than a solicitor?
 
While I was still in school, I was fortunate enough to do a mini-pupillage with a well-known barrister. I got to witness high-level advocacy and see how trials actually played out. From that point on, I knew I wanted to work in that environment — I felt it played to my strengths.
 
Ultimately, it’s a collaborative process between barristers and solicitors. My decision wasn’t about choosing one over the other, but about finding the role where I could contribute most effectively with the skills I felt I had.
 
2. How did you start gaining instructions in the sports sector?
 
I didn’t set out to become a sports lawyer, but I’ve always had a strong interest in Mixed Martial Arts and have been involved in the sport at the grassroots level for several years. I also did pro bono work with Sport Resolutions, which is a great starting point for any aspiring sports lawyer.
 
3. Can you tell us more about the link between employment law and the sports industry?
 
There’s a strong overlap. Many of the issues that arise in employment law such as contractual disputes, allegations of unfair treatment or discrimination, and misconduct are also common in the sports sector. You just see them in a slightly different context - often governed by a sport-specific regulatory framework.
 
4. Can you tell us more about your role at the IMMAF?
 
I’m the Chair of the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Committee at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF). The Committee hears and resolves alleged breaches of IMMAF’s Anti-Doping Rules, along with any related procedural disputes.
 
If there’s an allegation of a rule breach, this Committee manages the process from start to finish—including case management and the final decision-making.
 
5. What makes working in sports law unique?
 
One big difference is the profile of the clients. Cases are often publicised and receive a significant amount of media attention, particularly when compared to employment or commercial matters.
 
Sports law is also shaped by each sport’s governing body and its regulatory framework. Misconduct cases are especially niche—covering things like doping, betting breaches, or on-pitch incidents. These often require a nuanced understanding of the sport itself, which makes the work distinct and, in my view, really interesting.
 
6. What advice would you give to aspiring sports lawyers?
 
Start by identifying whether there’s a particular sport or area that interests you. Then speak to lawyers already working in that space. Understand how they got there, what their work involves, and whether they can connect you with others. It’s a small world, and those conversations can be invaluable.
 
Beyond that, get involved. Pro bono work, volunteering, or serving on disciplinary panels might not offer immediate financial reward, but they’re great for building experience, confidence, and a network.
 
7. Can you describe a typical day in your life?
 
No two days are exactly the same but they broadly fall into two categories for me; court days and paperwork days.
 
On court days, there’s little time for anything other than focusing on the hearing. These are usually high-stakes, high-pressure, and fast-paced days. I’ll have spent days, sometimes weeks, preparing for that particular hearing. I will often arrive at court the moment it opens, have a conference with my client and the instructing solicitor, and go into the trial or hearing at about 10am for the day with only a short break for lunch.
 
On paperwork days I try to start the morning with training, either strength and conditioning or martial arts. Some of my training partners are elite-level martial artists, so those sessions often leave me quite dejected. After training, I get on with my paperwork and keep on top of my caseload where hopefully my ego doesn’t get bruised too.
 
[1]https://www.4-5.co.uk/barristers/max-shephard
[2]https://www.legal500.com/rankings/ranking/c-london-bar/sport/9384-4-5-grays-inn-square