Patrick J. McStravick is an attorney and shareholder at Ricci Tyrrell Johnson & Grey
in Philadelphia, PA. A graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, his practice focuses on defending clients in a variety of complex litigation matters. He specializes in products liability, toxic torts, and environmental law, handling high-profile cases for manufacturers, retailers, and other corporate clients throughout the United States.
But it is his work in the sports area, alongside the firm’s Managing Member — John E. Tyrrell, that caught our attention, and led to the following interview.
Question: What were the circumstances that led to your work in sports law?
Answer: Twenty-Five years ago, I came to Hollstein Keating Cattell Johnson & Goldstein from my Uncle Jerry’s firm, and initially I was not supposed to be doing anything other than Maritime work. However, a series of circumstances (associate movement, need, etc.) lead me to work with my (now partner) John Tyrrell on some acute issues involving the Philadelphia Eagles. That experience subsequently lead to me working with John, and Rich Hollstein (at that firm) on some arguably more unconventional sports/quasi-sports related issues. Since then, and now at Ricci Tyrrell Johnson & Grey for the last 12 years, it has been my avocation and devotion.
Q: Who are some of your typical clients in the area of sports law?
A: Primarily, in the area of sports law, I have worked for Philadelphia Eagles related entities, dealing with litigation involving certain aspects of their operations. I have also worked with many major organizations such as Perfect Game USA (baseball), USA Cycling, and Special Olympics of New Jersey, just to name a few. Additionally, I have worked with many smaller regional and/or local organizations (New York Cycle Club comes to mind), and smaller or niche sports entities (e.g. Skiing, Go-cart racing, and Paint ball facilities). Often my representation, either direct or indirect, is dictated by (insurance) coverage issues.
Q: What trends are you following in the area of “sports and recreational liability?”
A: Recently, the following issues come to mind that have new and evolving aspects requiring attention:
- Electronic and written release and waiver law, and the applicability of arbitration clauses;
- Drones in and near stadiums, both from a safety perspective and from a video/surveillance perspective;
- The use of emerging and new technologies and techniques for coaches, organizations, and facilities, such as Automated External Defibrillators and Narcan (for overdoses); and
- Indoor golf facilities and golf equipment (such as simulators).
Q: What do you enjoy most about being a partner at Ricci Tyrrell? What do you enjoy most about practicing law?
A: I would answer both of these questions the same way: the work, and the people.
The work: there are other jobs that provide more income, more prestige, more press, and/or more security, and may provide more free time, less stress, less danger of screwing up, and/or are less difficult. However, they seem (from the outside) boring. This job provides some of those aspects to a greater or lesser extent, but also provides new issues, new cases and fact patterns, crazy twists and turns, contact with great people and organizations who are passionate about what they do, and a purpose that provides drive to succeed. I do not believe it is an accident that most of the people I work with are former athletes – sports law, and particularly sports litigation where you are involved in trials, requires a competitive mindset and a hunger to succeed.
That brings me to the people, who, since the start of my career, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with in the trenches. This job, doing this work, at this firm, builds a “team” mentality that is difficult to find in an (arguably, largely) intellectual pursuit. The sense of esprit de corps again harkens back to the athletic mindset.
