The Dallas Bar Association’s Entertainment, Art, and Sports Law Section on August 24, 2022, hosted a CLE panel discussion featuring Jackson Walker attorneys Serene W. Ateek, Robert P. Latham, and James Carlos McFall along with Andrew Rhoden of Masterly Legal Solutions.

The program, entitled “Put Me In, Coach: A Discussion of Eligibility for High School, College, and Olympic Athletes,” covered the topics of:

• Which bodies of law govern eligibility?
• What are the eligibility requirements?
• How is the monetization of name, image, and likeness (“NIL”) being addressed at the high school, college, and Olympic level?
• Are refugees who flee from their country eligible to represent and compete for another country in the Olympics?
• What are the rules governing the participation of transgender/gender non-conforming athletes at the high school, college, and Olympic level ?

Serene, an associate in the Corporate & Securities and Entertainment, Digital & Sports groups at Jackson Walker, served as the panel moderator. In her practice, Serene handles an array of corporate transactions, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating endorsement deals for athletes and celebrities. Outside of Jackson Walker, Serene enjoys playing sand volleyball, though she unfortunately is not expecting any brands to come knocking on her door asking for rights to her NIL.

Bob is a partner at Jackson Walker and serves as chair of the media law practice group. With deep roots in the business of sports, Bob has seen the unusual, and often complex, legal issues that often develop. His leadership and committee roles for national and international sports governing entities give him a unique perspective from a number of angles. Bob is on the Executive Committee of World Rugby, a former Chairman of USA Rugby, and a former member of the Board of Directors of the United States Olympic Committee from 2000-2004.

James is an attorney at Jackson Walker and the co-founder and CEO of a web3 community platform for iconic brands, athletes, and entertainers. His practice focuses on media, sports, entertainment, and complex commercial litigation. His sports and entertainment litigation experience includes the representation of professional athletes and professional sports franchises in commercial disputes.

From teams to owners, governing bodies, venues, and professional and Olympic athletes, Jackson Walker’s sports law attorneys have represented the full range of parties in the business of sports. This is further highlighted by leadership roles within national and international sports governing bodies, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and other highly regarded sports organizations. For a look at Jackson Walker’s experience in sports law, visit the Entertainment, Digital, & Sports and Sports sub-practice pages.