14 Knowledge Lab

Our Team


Luis Cassiano Neves 

Mentor, 14 Knowledge Lab

Founding Partner, 14 Sports Law

Name a function in the Sports industry, Luís has done it. From high-profile CAS cases and multi-million player contracts, to managing ailing historical Portuguese clubs and leading an aspiring Angolan team on a pan-African Champions League journey, Luís is one of the most experienced sports industry professionals.

With a degree in law from Lisbon University and an LLM in Sports Law from Nottingham University, Luís has over 20 years’ experience working with clubs, federations, individual athletes and corporate players.

Besides earning caps for the Portugal u23 rugby team, Luís is a specialist in employment contracts, major sponsorship agreements, player transfer deals, regulatory compliance and club & sports property acquisitions. He is a widely recognized as one of the leading experts in sports law in Portugal and at the international level

Matilde learnt the sports law ropes from CAS arbitrator Rui Botica Santos, before heading off to Barcelona to hone her skills at Pinto Ruiz & Del Valle, and finally joining 14 Sports Law in 2020. Her volleyball skills came in handy when challenging opponents without physical contact at numerous Court of Arbitration for Sport hearings.

Matilde has degree in law from the Catholic University of Lisbon, and a masters in International Sports Law from ISDE. She has a number of articles published, and has recently started to pass on the sports law knowledge baton, lecturing for the International Sports Law Master of Real Madrid, Universidad Europea. Matilde is also a Judge on the Cost Cap Adjudication Panel of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).

Matilde brings the (much needed) feminine touch to a mostly boy’s game. She is part of a new breed of women who combine excellence in sports law with a strong academic and sporting background.

Matilde Costa Dias

Mentor, 14 Knowledge Lab

Junior Partner, 14 Sports Law

Gabriel Eguinoa

Mentor, 14 Knowledge Lab

Associate, 14 Sports Law

Gabriel grew up on a healthy diet of Brasileirão (top-flight Brazilian football) and Pro Evolution Soccer. He brings trans-Atlantic knowledge to 14 Sports Law with European qualifications, having completed an LLM in International Sports Law at Madrid’s ISDE.
A contracts and litigation specialist, Gabriel has participated in over 50 disputes before CAS and FIFA, with a record that rivals some of the boxing world’s greats.

Having honed his skills in Porto with the 14 Sports Law team, Gabriel is currently based in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, where he supports the firm’s clients in their South American business, as well as being the contact point for local clients.

Aakash is a New Delhi based Advocate registered with the Bar Council of India, with a degree in B.A LL.B (Hons.) from Symbiosis Law School, Pune, India. His focus lies with the Litigation Department at 14 Sports Law, handling sports-related disputes and arbitration, primarily before the FIFA Football Tribunal and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

A former national-level footballer (U17, U19), Aakash brings the grit and strategy of the field into the courtroom. When he’s not tackling legal challenges, you’ll find him immersed in cricket, badminton, video games, delving into the latest tech trends, or reading philosophy. As an avid writer, his work has been published in renowned legal journals and blogs worldwide, with his own blog “Sports Law Review India” having been featured amongst the top 25 Sports Law blogs around the world.

In a nutshell, Aakash is a growth-minded individual, constantly seeking new experiences, learning holistically, and pushing himself to greater heights- mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Aakash Batra

Manager, 14 Knowledge Lab

Junior Associate, 14 Sports Law