Sports Lawyers and the Sports Law Association

Chris GulottaSports Law Slidecast #2

Sports Lawyers and the Sports Lawyers Association

• Joseph M Leccese

• Bruce Wilson

• Peter White

• James W. Quinn

• Jeffrey Mishkin

Sports Lawyers

•Attended Georgetown University and the University of Virginia School of Law.

•Named the Chairman of the partnership of Proskauer in October of 2010.−Took office in January of 2011−Youngest Chairman in the history of Proskauer−Still practicing as the co-head of the Sports Law group

•Worked with:−Expansions−Joint ventures−Organization purchases−Facility development−Television contracts

Joseph M Leccese

• Attended the University of Virginia undergraduate and School of Law– With Joseph Leccese

• Covington & Burling, LLP– Communications and Corporate Law with focus on Finance and Acquisitions and mergers

• Principal transaction advisor to:– National Football League– National Basketball Association– National Hockey League– NASCAR

• Sports related Representation:– Naming rights– Broadcast and Sponsorship rights– Bankruptcy Sales– Relocations

Bruce Wilson

• Adelphia University and St. Johns University School of Law

• Leader of growing sports practice at DLA Piper – Joined in 2010

• Started with Nixon Peabody

• Focus in sports:– Financing of development and redevelopment of stadiums and arenas

• Awards and recognition– 2007: American Lawyer: Dealmaker of the Year– Multiple magazine recognitions

Peter White

• Attended the University of Notre Dame and Fordham University

• Co-Chair of Weil Gotshal & Manges– 500 lawyer global litigation practice– Been with the firm since the 1970’s and its first sports case– Works with more than just sports

• Counseled and represented players associations in:– Major League Baseball– National Football League– National Basketball Association– National Hockey League– Major League Soccer

• Awards and recognition:– 1993 and 2004: The National Law Journal named top ten trial lawyer in U.S.

James W. Quinn

• Studied at SUNY Albany and Cornell Law School

• Partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.– Focus in Sports law: Antitrust, intellectual property, and litigation

• Worked for the National Basketball Association from 1992-2000– Executive V.P. and Chief Legal officer

• Participated in every major decision affecting the NBA in the past 35 years

• Since joining Skadden in 200, his range of representation has spread immensely

Jeffrey Mishkin

What to take away?

• Non-Profit, International, Professional Organization– Understanding, advancement, and ethical practice of sports law

• Made up of over 1,000 members– Lawyers– Law educators– Law Students– Others

• Mission– To promote a high standard of ethical behavior,– Forum for legal discussion about sports law– To pursue continuing professional education

Sports Lawyers Association

• Founded in 1975:– Lloyd Shefsky, Jack Mills, John Wendel, Rick Wagenheim, and Tony Pace

• Lloyd Shefsky– First President (1975), served until 1987

• Gave warning in farewell speech

– Named Chair of Philanthropy committee in 2000• Started charitable work by the SLA

• 1990’s began hiring management companies with the growth of the industry and field.

Sports Lawyers Association