By Emily Goddard

Hogan Lovells will be the BPA's official legal services provider through to the end of 2016September 2 - The British Paralympic Association (BPA) has revealed that Hogan Lovells will be its official legal services through to the end of 2016.

This latest deal strengthens the relationship between the two organisations, dating back to before Beijing 2008, during which the international law firm has given pro-bono legal advice, secondments and volunteering to the BPA though London-based commercial partner Richard Welfare.

Hogan Lovells will continue to supply legal support to the BPA as the British team gears up for the Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016 Paralympics.

"The BPA has developed an incredibly positive relationship with Hogan Lovells over recent years, which has provided a significant level of support, particularly through their contributions in areas such as commercial contracts and intellectual property," BPA chief executive Tim Hollingsworth said.

"I have no doubt that their skill, knowledge and expertise will continue to prove invaluable to the BPA over the coming years and as such I am delighted that we can now formally welcome them on board."

Hogan Lovells chair Nicholas Cheffings welcomed the news and spoke of his excitement to continue working with the BPA.

"We are very strong supporters of the BPA and its mission to make the UK the leading nation in Paralympic sport and its vision, through sport, to inspire a better world for disabled people," he explained.

"These are not small challenges.

"We have given the BPA a substantial commitment to providing advice to them between now and the end of 2016.

"There will also be volunteering opportunities open to all members of our London office.

"We are very proud of the work we have done.

"We have a long-standing track record as a firm for promoting the rights of the disabled in all walks of life and for that to be recognised through our role as an official partner of the BPA is very rewarding."

Hogan Lovells joins the likes of BP, BT, Deloitte, EDF Energy, Mondelēz International, Nissan, Sainsbury's and the lottery distributor UK Sport as an BPA official partner.

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