Harvard Law School Sports Law Symposium 2015 #CSELsymposium

I'm honored to be speaking at Harvard Law School on Thursday, March 26, 2015 at their annual sports and entertainment law symposium. I'll be moderating a panel that will feature Ben Block (NFL attorney at Covington and Burling); Peter Ginsberg (attorney to Ray Rice and other players) and Heather McPhee (NFLPA attorney). Should be a great event - info on speakers is below (for info on logistics, click here).

2015 Sports and Entertainment Law Symposium

Hosted by the Harvard Law School Committee on Sports & Entertainment Law

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Milstein East, Harvard Law School

12:00 - 5:00 PM

#CSELsymposium

Weiler Awards—12:00-12:20—Professor Peter Carfagna presents the 2014-2015 Weiler Awards to Joshua Lee and Jaimie McFarlin for excellence in legal writing for sports and entertainment. Lunch provided.

Keynote Address—12:20-1:20—Shawn Holley delivers the keynote address on her experience as Hollywood’s preeminent defense attorney. Ms. Holley, who rose to prominence as a member of O.J. Simpson’s defense team, has represented a long list of celebrities including Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, the Kardashian sisters, Amanda Bynes, Michael Jackson, Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, and Mike Tyson. She has also served as a legal correspondent for a various channels and NBC is said to be developing a television show about her career.

The Digital Distribution Revolution—1:30-2:30

Panelists:Rebecca Borden, SVP of IP for CBS; Kevan Choset, Legal Counsel for Spotify;Julian Petty of Nixon Peabody; Bradley Silver, an Assistant GC for Time Warner; and Bryan Tallevi, Senior Counsel for NBC Universal

Moderator:Chris Bavitz, Managing Director for Harvard Law School’s Cyberlaw Clinic at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society

Leaders in the entertainment industry will explore how the recent expansion of media distribution has changed their jobs. Specific issues to be discussed include protecting IP in digital distribution deals, piracy, challenges in creating live content, and predictions about where the industry is headed and what that means for lawyers.

Afternoon Break—2:30-2:45

Life After Law: Making the Switch, Tackling the Transition and Climbing the Ladder—2:45-3:45

Panelists:Jody Mooradian, Senior Athletic Director for Women's Sports at Boston College;Rob Simmelkjaer, SVP for NBC Sports; and Mike Zarren, Assistant General Manager and Team Counsel for the Boston Celtics

Moderator: Steve McKelvey, MS Program Director & Associate Professor Sport Management at University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Lawyers discuss life in the sports and entertainment industry outside of law. Specific topics include factors to consider regarding the switch, how to make the transition, the differences between the two roles, and how helpful a law degree is in their current job.

Changing the Game: Player Discipline and the Future of the NFL—4:00-5:00

Panelists:Ben Block, Partner at Covington where he regularly advises the NFL; Peter Ginsberg, the managing partner at Peter R. Ginsberg Law where he often represents players, recently including Ray Rice, in player discipline disputes; and Heather McPhee, Associate General Counsel for the NFL Players Association

Moderator:Mike McCann, Director of the Sports and Entertainment Law Institute at University of New Hampshire Law and legal contributor to Sports Illustrated

Lawyers from all sides will gather to discuss all things player discipline in the National Football League. Specific topics will include the new NFL personal conduct policy, the role of the Commissioner in determining punishments, the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and prior disciplinary cases.