Benoît Keane is an independent European lawyer specialising in EU and competition law, with particular expertise in the sports sector.
About
Benoît Keane
Based in Brussels, he advises and represents sports governing bodies, organisations, commercial operators and other clients on complex questions where European law, competition law and regulation intersect.
His work includes advising on the design and application of sports regulations, competition law compliance, EU internal market rules and major regulatory and competition disputes.
Benoît regularly represents clients before the European Commission, the EU Courts, national courts and the Court of Arbitration for Sport. His work has been featured in newspapers and in the legal press, such as the Irish Law Society Gazette.
History
Professional Background
Benoît read law at University College Cork before obtaining a Master’s degree in European Law from the College of Europe in Bruges.
He trained in London and Paris at an international law firm before undertaking a stage at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition.
He qualified as a Solicitor of England and Wales in 2003, later becoming a Solicitor-Advocate. He is also admitted as a Solicitor in Ireland and as an Avocat at the Barreau de Bruxelles in Belgium.
Benoît practised with international law firms in Brussels before establishing his own practice in 2012.
He is also a consultant to Northridge LLP.
Key Capabilites
Advocacy
Benoît has an excellent reputation for advocacy. He has pleaded in precedent setting cases before the Grand Chamber of the EU Court of Justice. He has also acted as counsel in EU law related cases before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Recognised as a thought-leader, Benoît is a regular speaker at major legal conferences, including the prestigious CAS conference. He is a guest lecturer at institutes and universities as well as leading sports law courses.
Qualifications
Education & Accomplishments
Admissions
- Solicitor-Advocate, England and Wales
- Avocat, Barreau de Bruxelles, Belgium
- Solicitor, Ireland
Education
- Legal Practice Course, College of Law Guildford (United Kingdom), 2000 – 2001
- Master’s degree in European Law, College of Europe, Bruges (Belgium), 1998 – 1999
- Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) University College Cork (Ireland), 1995 – 1998
Languages
- English (Native)
- French (Fluent)
Professional Recognition
Splash