Sports Attorney Resume Example

Senior Counsel, League Operations · Major League Soccer (MLS)

New York, NY · 2018 - Present

• Managed legal aspects of 3 expansion team launches, overseeing all contractual agreements and regulatory approvals, contributing to a 15% league growth.
• Drafted and negotiated broadcast rights agreements exceeding $300 million annually, increasing league media revenue by 20% over 5 years.
• Developed and implemented comprehensive player contract templates and compliance protocols, reducing contract disputes by 25%.
• Provided legal guidance on high-stakes sponsorship deals totaling over $150 million, securing favorable terms for 10+ major brand partnerships.
• Advised on intricate regulatory compliance issues, ensuring adherence to national and international sports governing body rules for player transfers and competition.

Associate Attorney, Corporate & Sports Group · Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

New York, NY · 2013 - 2018

• Represented major sports leagues and franchises in corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and asset sales valued at over $500 million.
• Authored and reviewed complex commercial agreements, securing favorable terms for clients in over 40 distinct matters.
• Conducted due diligence for high-profile client investments in sports ventures, identifying and mitigating legal risks.
• Provided counsel on intellectual property matters for sports organizations, including trademark registration and licensing agreements, safeguarding brand assets.
• Assisted in litigation preparation for high-stakes sports disputes, achieving positive outcomes in 90% of supported cases.

Juris Doctor (J.D.) · New York University School of Law

New York, NY · 2010 - 2013

• Graduated Magna Cum Laude
• Editor, NYU Law Review
• Recipient, Dean's Scholarship for Academic Excellence

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Economics · University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA · 2006 - 2010

• GPA: 3.8/4.0
• Varsity Debate Team Captain
• Dean's List all semesters

Counsel, Sports Law Group · Dentons

Chicago, IL · 2018 - Present

• Advised elite professional athletes and major sports organizations on complex contract negotiations, securing over $250M in endorsement and playing contracts.
• Managed comprehensive intellectual property portfolios for clients, successfully protecting brand rights and mitigating infringement risks, resulting in 95% favorable outcomes in IP disputes.
• Represented clients in high-stakes arbitration and mediation, resolving 15+ complex disputes related to player contracts, agent agreements, and league compliance.
• Developed and implemented robust compliance programs for sports agencies, ensuring adherence to league regulations and ethical standards, reducing compliance breaches by 30%.
• Structured and negotiated multi-million dollar sponsorship and media rights agreements for professional teams, increasing revenue streams by an average of 18% annually.

Associate Attorney, Legal & Business Affairs · Wasserman Media Group

New York, NY · 2015 - 2018

• Provided legal counsel to agents and management on athlete endorsement deals, drafting and reviewing 50+ marketing and talent agreements annually.
• Assisted in the negotiation of player contracts across various professional leagues (NBA, NFL, MLB), contributing to over $100M in executed agreements.
• Conducted due diligence for potential client acquisitions and new business ventures, identifying and mitigating legal risks by 20% in initial assessments.
• Managed trademark registration and enforcement for athlete brands, successfully securing protection for 30+ new marks.
• Collaborated with finance and marketing teams to ensure legal compliance for all promotional materials and public appearances.

Corporate Associate, Mergers & Acquisitions · Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Chicago, IL · 2012 - 2015

• Supported lead partners on M&A transactions totaling over $3B, including drafting definitive agreements, ancillary documents, and conducting extensive due diligence.
• Analyzed and summarized complex commercial contracts, identifying key risks and opportunities for private equity clients in 20+ acquisition targets.
• Negotiated and drafted critical provisions in purchase agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and joint venture agreements, ensuring favorable terms for clients.
• Managed closing processes for 10+ corporate transactions, coordinating legal teams, regulatory filings, and stakeholder communications.
• Advised public and private companies on corporate governance, securities law, and general corporate matters, ensuring adherence to SEC regulations and internal policies.

Juris Doctor (J.D.) · Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

Chicago, IL · 2009 - 2012

• Magna Cum Laude
• GPA: 3.85/4.0
• Editor-in-Chief, Northwestern University Law Review
• Recipient, David J. and Barbara J. Vitale Scholarship

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Economics · University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI · 2005 - 2009

• Graduated with High Honors and Distinction
• GPA: 3.92/4.0
• Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
• President, University of Michigan Debate Team