On the latest episode of Bad News, Good Lawyers, Tom Firestone, head of our Government Investigations & White Collar Practice, welcomes Wayne Barnes, a Squire Patton Boggs partner, one of the most accomplished rugby referees in the history of the sport and author of Throwing the Book: The Strife and Crimes of a Rugby Referee.
Wayne discusses his journey from community rugby in rural England to the international stage as referee for the Rugby World Cup 2023 final. Along the way, he built a distinguished legal career, giving him a unique perspective on the parallels between sport and legal practice.
Tom and Wayne examine the common challenges faced by referees and lawyers, what lawyers can learn from sport, what sport can learn from the law and how both fields confront questions of fairness, trust and integrity. They also discuss the impact of technology on modern sport and the ongoing challenge of combating corruption and maintaining public confidence in sport.