International Masters of Gaming Law

For twenty years, Chambers has published the leading directories of the legal profession. Their reputation is based on the independence and objectivity of their research. They have 100 full-time researchers who interview thousands of lawyers and their clients around the world. This intensive, continuous research identifies the world’s leading lawyers and law firms - those which perform best according to the criteria most valued by clients. No lawyer can buy their way into our rankings. As a result, their directories - published annually - are known to be the most accurate and the most reliable. Below please find a summary of the IMGL Attorneys who are being recognized.

Gaming & Gambling: Global

Notable Practitioners

USA

Nevada , Arizona & California

Anthony Cabot of Lewis and Roca LLP is "one of the famous names in global Internet gaming." Sources say he has "written the entire library on gaming law - he's the absolute master." He is based in Las Vegas , as is Robert Faiss of Lionel Sawyer & Collins, who is regarded as a "voice of experience" in this field. John Maloney of The Law Offices of John K Maloney divides his time between the firm's offices in Henderson , Nevada , and Sacramento , California . He a founding member of the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL). A past president of this group, the "very significant and remarkable" Heidi Staudenmaier is very highly regarded by peers around the world, and has an established North American Indian gaming practice at Snell & Wilmer LLP in Phoenix .

Elsewhere in the USA

Nicholas Casiello chairs the gaming practice group at Fox Rothschild LLP out of its Atlantic City office. Clients agree that his market knowledge and depth are invaluable; he has more than 25 years of experience in New Jersey and other domestic and international jurisdictions including Puerto Rico , Singapore and the UK . Robert Stocker is a partner at Dickinson Wright PLLC and leader of its gaming group. A big name in the industry, he was appointed chairman of the gaming law committee of the American Bar Association in August 2010. He represents major gaming equipment manufacturers such as Aristocrat Technologies and Shufflemaster, and frequently provides regulatory advice in connection with gaming activities in Eastern Europe and Asia , including Ukraine and Vietnam . Kelly Duncan is the head of the gaming practice at Jones Walker Waechter Poitevent Carrère & Denègre L.L.P. in New Orleans . He is the vice-president of the IMGL and is also a member of the firm's maritime and admiralty practice group.

All of the following ranked UK lawyers are based in London .

Tony Coles of Jeffrey Green Russell is the current president of the IMGL and sources agree he is "known to be one of the best gaming lawyers in the world." At the same firm, Nicholas Nocton also has an excellent reputation. He advises mostly operators and suppliers to the industry and is currently the editor of the IMGL's European Gaming Lawyer magazine. John Hagan and Julian Harris of gambling and leisure boutique Harris Hagan are both highly respected in this community. Hagan stands out for his impressive portfolio of clients and sources praise his industry profile. Harris is the secretary of the IAGA and, according to one source, "is the best gaming lawyer I've worked with." Hilary Stewart-Jones leads the betting and gaming practice at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP. Lauded for her "cutting-edge advice," her clients see her as "simply indispensable." Peter Wilson specialises in gambling and business investigations at Memery Crystal LLP. He provides regulatory advice to clients in a range of regions, including Asia , Central America , Europe and Canada . "He's very well clued up," sources say.

Europe

Santiago Asensi Gisbert of Asensi Abogados is "an obvious go-to guy" for gaming advice in Spain . He brings a wealth of in-house experience to the table, and has built up a strong reputation over a number of years. Sources say that Justin Franssen of VMW Taxand has been the "driving engine" of recent changes in Dutch legislation with respect to remote gaming operations in the Netherlands . "This industry is his passion," one client added. "He knows all the latest developments - in fact he's often behind them himself." In Germany , the well-known Wulf Hambach of Hambach & Hambach is also at the forefront of major changes; he was involved in the Carmen Media case at the ECJ, which challenged the legality of a German monopoly. The ruling, handed down in September 2010, is a "legislative breakthrough," according to Hambach's peers, who report that this decision will "dramatically change" the German market. Quirino Mancini of Sinisi Ceschini Mancini & Partners is "the tip of the sword" in Italy . He is recognised for his gaming and betting expertise as well as for his sports law practice, and sources say he has "a great vision across markets in Europe ." Thibault Verbiest of ULYS handles the French and Belgian jurisdictions. His peers note that in addition to his "sharp legal mind," he is well liked because of his "exceptional personality." Olga Finkel is the founder and managing partner of WH Law in Malta , a major jurisdiction from a server perspective. She leads the firm's TIGER (technology, information, gambling, entertainment and resources) practice. At Melchers Schubert Stocker Sturies, Jörg Hofmann is another influential player in the German market. He is rated for his balanced practice, which covers both online and terrestrial gaming. "I think the world of him," said one peer. With Ireland an emerging hub for online gaming, Dublin litigation partner Joe Kelly has developed a niche practice at A&L Goodbody that is increasing in prominence. Henrik Norsk Hoffmann of Lett Law Firm is "very prominent in the development of the Danish market." A younger lawyer, he is expected to become even more important with time: "He's a lawyer for whom I see a big future." As the head of Brussels firm Vlaemminck & Partners, Philippe Vlaemminck often comes up against many of the other market leaders. He represented European Lotteries, the body representing state gambling monopolies across Europe , in an EU case concerning German market restrictions. Peers say: "Even against him, we see he is a very proficient and serious lawyer, and deserves full credit."

Asia-Pacific

Sydney-based Jamie Nettleton of Addisons focuses on Asia and the Pacific Rim . Sources agree he is "the best Australian lawyer in the online gaming industry." Recent highlights include advising two parties in connection with their submissions to the Australia Productivity Commission, a federal government inquiry which covered the gambling industry.

Canada

Morden Lazarus founded Montréal firm Lazarus Charbonneau in 1967. He represents providers in both the online and conventional gaming sectors, and is seen as "a great deal maker." He is a past president of the IAGA. Michael Lipton of Dickinson Wright PLLC is one of the "grand names" in gaming and gambling in Canada . "It's like Mount Rushmore - if you should name four names in this industry he should be among them," one source said. He focuses on remote gaming and terrestrial gaming law, and has a strong client base in North America , South America and Europe .

Israel

Based in Tel Aviv, Meir Linzen and Gil White of Herzog Fox & Neeman operate effectively in an international context. "They have developed a fantastically successful business in this sector," sources agree. Linzen is an established tax lawyer and is described as a "trusted adviser" with respect to his gaming expertise. Dotan Baruch left Herzog Fox & Neeman this year to join Barnea & Co, Law Offices where he runs their online gaming regulatory practice.

South Africa

Wayne Lurie of Lurie Inc and Garron Whitesman of Whitesmans Attorneys lead the way in this jurisdiction. "If there is anything coming from South Africa , you can be sure that at least one of them will be included, if not both," one peer noted. Lurie is based in Johannesburg while Whitesman operates from Cape Town .

Latin America

Sources report that Latin America is an increasingly important territory in the global gaming and gambling market, and as such Carlos Alberto Fonseca Sarmiento of Gaming Law S.A.C. in Peru is singled out as "an important adviser for the future." His services cover advice relating to the purchase of casinos, licensing, and commercial, political and legal evaluations of the gaming field in Latin American countries including Peru and the Dominican Republic .