Leanne O'Leary

Dr. Leanne O'Leary is an Assistant Professor in the Law Department at Maynooth University, with dual qualifications as a solicitor in New Zealand and England/Wales. Her research focuses on athletes' employment rights, dispute resolution mechanisms in elite sports, and governance frameworks in Olympic sports. She has contributed to the European Commission-funded EMPLOYS and SOPROS projects, evaluating athlete labor protections and governance standards.

Dr. O'Leary holds a PhD from Trinity College Dublin and has published extensively in leading journals such as the Industrial Law Journal and International Sports Law Journal. She serves as an Arbitrator at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, a member of the FIS Ethics Commission, and the Premier League Judicial Panel in London. Her professional accolades include Fellowships from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and CEDR accreditation as a mediator.

Her work bridges employment law and sports governance, addressing issues like athlete worker classification, transnational labor disputes, and EU regulatory challenges post-BREXIT. Key projects include analyzing social protection measures for Olympic athletes and evaluating good governance in athlete relations.

• Education: PhD, Trinity College Dublin
• Roles: CAS Arbitrator, FIS Ethics Commission Member, Premier League Judicial Panel
• Awards: Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Fellowship, CEDR-Accredited Mediator