Company: Lander & Rogers
Title: Senior associate
Age: 30
Simon Merritt is a core member of Lander & Rogers' sport and leisure team (SLT) and was promoted from lawyer to senior associate in July 2018. Practising exclusively within the sports industry, he acts for a range of sports clients including professional clubs (Melbourne Vixens, Gold Coast Titans, Melbourne City FC), thoroughbred racing clubs (Victoria Racing Club, Moonee Valley Racing Club) and national sports organisations (Swimming Australia, Athletics Australia, Basketball Australia, Netball Australia). He is the firm's key relationship contact for several of its existing and new clients. Last year, Merritt won the 'Sports and Entertainment' category at the Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 awards. As the only senior associate and second-most senior practitioner in SLT, it is his responsibility to both support the group's leadership and maintain an active involvement in the career development and progression of the firm’s younger lawyers. Merritt also leads many of SLT's important business development initiatives. Diverse in nature, they include regularly presenting on current and proposed legal changes within sports and corporations' law; coordinating the firm's submissions to Best Lawyers and Chambers & Partners Asia-Pacific; and keeping informed about industry trends, issues and updates and disseminating that information to relevant people across the firm.
