The Dallas Bar Association’s Entertainment, Art & Sports Law Section on August 23, 2023, hosted a CLE panel featuring Jackson Walker attorneys Shayan Gaziani and Demi Williams along with Justin Jones (Fee Smith & Sharp), Andrew Rhoden (Masterly Legal Solutions), and Kheana Pollard (Bell Nunnally & Martin).
The program, entitled “NIL’s New Frontier: Legal Ramifications in High School & College Athletics,” was a panel conversation surrounding name, image, and likeness (NIL). Specifically, the panel discussed the NIL’s rampant evolution over the past few years; its evolving legislative and regulatory framework; the current NIL landscape, including NIL collectives; and guidance on how attorneys can prepare to counsel their NIL clients—whether they be student-athletes, businesses, boosters/collectives, or universities.
Shayan, an associate in the Corporate & Securities group at Jackson Walker, served as the panel moderator and is also a member of the 2023 Council of the DBA Entertainment, Art, and Sports Law Section. His practice focuses on merger and acquisition transactions, startup counseling, and conducting private offerings. He often handles matters focused on transactional entertainment law, with some of his entertainment clients including influencers, creative entrepreneurs, and fashion designers. Outside of the firm, Shayan also serves as the Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Islamic Association of North Texas, one of the largest mosques and interfaith organizations in Texas.
Demi is a senior counsel in the Trial & Appellate Litigation section at Jackson Walker. Practicing in our Entertainment, Digital, and Sports group, Demi’s matters have involved athlete name, image, and likeness (NIL), athlete eligibility, defamation, music publishing rights, and more. Prior to Jackson Walker, Demi served as a litigator and prosecutor, with experience in complex civil litigation, criminal prosecution, federal government investigations, and school law. She honed her trial skills as an assistant district attorney in San Francisco and in pro bono immigration defense matters. Outside of the law, Demi has worked in various capacities within the sports industry, including as a speaker to student-athletes.
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.
