The highly respected Chambers USA revealed its list of leading sports law firms for 2013.
Among those recognized were Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates, DLA Piper LLP, Foley & Lardner LLP, O’Melveny & Myers LLP, Winston & Strawn LLP, and Bryan Cave HRO.
Bruce Keller, a partner and leader in the sports law area at Debevoise & Plimpton, seemed to echo the opinions of many of the aforementioned firms when he talked about the honor bestowed on Debevoise & Plimpton by Chambers.
“We are very pleased to be recognized by Chambers as one of the ‘go-to’ firms in this area,” he told Sports Litigation Alert. “Even more rewarding, however, is the confidence and trust that our clients — professional sports leagues, teams, broadcasters and others in the business of sports entertainment — demonstrate in Debevoise & Plimpton when they ask us to act on their behalf.”
Chambers called Keller “a strong player in IP-related sports law, particularly in matters relating to trademark and copyright infringement.” It further pointed to the firm’s role with “some of the major sports leagues, including the NFL, which it represents in several litigation matters concerning the use of players’ identities by NFL Films after their retirement.”
Turning to Skadden, Arps, Chambers wrote that the firm “represents the major leagues, and has recently been extensively active for the NHL, including on collective bargaining agreements with the NHLPA and the league’s $400 million credit facility. The team is also acting for several of the leading leagues in a case brought against the governor of New Jersey concerning sports gambling.”
In particular, it wrote that sources “are effusive about Shepard Goldfein, describing him as a ‘standout general all-around legal counsel – exceedingly smart, very creative in finding solutions to problems, incredibly responsive and very proactive.’” It also highlighted Jeffrey Mishkin as a “top-notch litigator.” He “continues to be the first person the NBA turns to when they need a litigator.” Finally, Thomas Gowan earned accolades from one source for his “in-depth knowledge and feel for our business.”
DLA Piper was next in line, as Chambers praised its “wide range of sports law (expertise).” It added that “it is perhaps best regarded for its stadium financing work, which has recently included acting for the San Francisco 49ers on an $850 million loan for a new stadium. The team has also acted as counsel to Pac-12 Enterprises in a variety of areas. Other key clients include the Chicago Cubs and European soccer clubs AS Roma and Manchester City.”
Specifically, it noted that Peter White “does a tremendous job on financing,” according to its sources, adding that he is “very good at thinking outside the box.” Charles Baker earned distinction for his work “on financing and M&A,” while Mark Whitaker is “held in high regard (for his) tremendously detail-oriented approach.”
Next was Foley & Lardner, which earned praise for its “representation of Guggenheim Baseball Management in its $2 billion-plus acquisition of the Los Angeles Dodgers, which cemented the group’s reputation as an expert in MLB-related matters. Aside from baseball, the firm also represented the Green Bay Packers in a new $67 million stock offering.” Mary Braza is “a great practitioner,” wrote Chambers with a broad knowledge base in sports law.
Rounding out the list was O’Melveny & Myers, Winston & Strawn and Bryan Cave HRO.
O’Melveny & Myers is skilled in the broadcast rights sector of sports, having “acted for the International Olympic Committee for more than 20 years, recently representing it in negotiations with the USOC.” In particular, Chambers cited Joseph Calabrese, who was heavily involved in representing the IOC.
Winston & Strawn, after an infusion of talent from Dewey & LeBoeuf’s sports practice in May 2012, has risen to prominence for its work in representing players’ associations’ in labor disputes. Leading that charge, of course, is Jeffrey Kessler, who “is arguably the country’s leading lawyer representing player unions in sports labor disputes,” wrote Chambers. In addition, David Feher has earned praise for his work across the whole sports law landscape, “including representing clients in sponsorship matters and individual athletes’ disputes.”
Bryan Cave HRO, meanwhile, is “active in two significant areas in sports law. As well as undertaking cases involving arena naming rights and sponsorship, it also acts for a large number of US Olympic teams and governing bodies as well as the US Anti-Doping Agency and the World Anti-Doping Agency.” Standing out at the firm is Richard Young, who “is renowned for his expertise in matters related to doping in sports, where he is described as having global understanding and knowledge.” In addition, Steven Smith has been recognized “for his focus and understanding in all facets of sports law.”
