Forum on the Entertainment & Sports Industries - 43rd Annual Conference
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43rd Annual Conference Forum on the Entertainment & Sports Industries In Association with the Section of State & Local Government Law and the Section of Intellectual Property Law October 7-9, 2021and October 14-15, 2021 All Virtual
The conference will be presented virtually and provide attendees with
innovative CLE programs on a wide spectrum of entertainment and
sports topics. The conference also will include unique networking
opportunities, mentoring sessions, and collegial social events for
attorneys, law students, and other professionals practicing in every
sector of the entertainment and sports industries. Registration to the
conference is all-inclusive and entitles registrants access to the pre-
recorded sessions and recordings of available sessions after the event.
PLANNING COMMITTEE
Judy Tint, Chair Kenneth Freundlich Henry Root
Counselor At Law Freundlich Law Lapidus, Root & Sacharow, LLP
New York, NY Encino, CA Santa Monica, CA
Peter Strand Mark Tratos Kirk Schroder
Immediate Past Chair Greenberg Traurig Schroder Brooks Law Firm, PLC
Mandell Menkes Las Vegas, NV Richmond, VA
Chicago, IL
Scott Bain Ken Kaufman LeAnn Sheldon
Planning Committee Co-Chair Harvard University The Rockwell Group
United States Patent and Trademark Cambridge, MA New York, NY
Office
Washington, DC Alexandra Darraby Justin Sievert
The Art Law Firm Vela Wood
Aalok Sharma Los Angeles, CA Miami Beach, FL
Planning Committee Co-Chair
Stinson Peter Dekom Seth Steinberg
Minneapolis, MN Peter J Dekom, a Law Corporation Digital Arts Law
Los Angeles, CA San Francisco, CA
Leonard Glickman
Cassels Brock & Blackwell Toronto, Polina Ivko Steve Weizenecker
Canada Ivko, LLC Barnes & Thornburg
New York, NY Atlanta, GA
Emily Behzadi
California Western School of Law
San Diego, CA
CONFERENCE OVERVIEW
All sessions will be presented virtually on the Vision Digital conference platform. Each attendee will
receive via email a unique link to access the virtual conference platform. There will be two pre-
recorded CLE sessions that will be accessible on their respective scheduled days and times.
2
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Thursday, October 7, 2021
1:15 pm – 1:30 pm EDT // 10:15 am – 10:30 am PDT
Chair’s Welcome
Judy Tint
Counselor At Law and
Chair, Forum on the Entertainment &
Sports Industry
New York, NY
1:30 pm -2:30 pm EDT // 10:30 am – 11:30 am PDT – Concurrent Sessions
Crisis Communication in the Age of Social Media
Presented by the Section of State and Local Government Law
Increasingly, public and private sector entities are tasked with addressing sensitive and potential risk
exposing matters in the public eye through a variety of media platforms. Oftentimes, the “no comment”
response is insufficient. The panel will discuss the legal and practical issues that need to be addressed
as part of the crisis communication response and steps that should be taken by the entity to minimize
disruption to the business.
Speakers
Colleen E. McCarty, Steven F. Stapleton,
Attorney, Chair of the ABA Section of State and
Fox Rothschild, Local Government Law and Member,
Las Vegas, NV Clark Hill PLC.,
Grand Rapids, MI
3
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
The Rise of the Alternative Sports League
In recent years, alternatives to the prevailing, traditional sports leagues have been launched or
repositioned to disrupt the sports marketplace. This panel will discuss the legal and business
implications in launching and operating an alternative sports league and growing its audience.
Lead Facilitator Speakers
Michael Lawson, Caesar Lopez, Ricky Volante, Krista Hiner,
Attorney, Chief Administrative Officer CEO and Attorney, Partner,
O’Connell & Aronowitz, and General Counsel, The Professional Collegiate ESG Law,
Albany, NY Orlando City Soccer Club and League (CEO); Volante Law Minneapolis, MN
Orlando Pride, Firm (Attorney),
Orlando, FL Cleveland, OH
2:30 pm – 2:45 pm EDT // 11:30 am – 11:45 am PDT Break
2:45 pm -3:45 pm EDT // 11:45 am – 12:45 pm PDT
Ethically Dealing with Your Client’s Agent: Navigating the Symbiotic
Lawyer-Client-Agent Relationship in Entertainment & Sports
(Ethics CLE Credit)
Lawyers working in publishing, film, music, television, and sports often represent clients who are
simultaneously represented by an agent. This panel will discuss how lawyers navigate the ethical
issues raised by the involvement of an agent in client matters, the (ideal) relative roles of lawyers and
agents and provide practical advice for fostering a mutually beneficial relationship with agents.
Lead Facilitator Speakers
Kirk T. Schroder Dirk Vanover Stephanie Furgang Hal Biagas,
Partner, Owner/Attorney, Adwar, Esq., Chief Operating Officer &
Schroder Brooks Law Firm, PLC Vanover Legal, LLC Furgang & Adwar, LLP General Counsel,
Richmond, VA Milwaukee, WI New York, NY Seven1 Sports &
Entertainment Group,
New York, NY
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
3:45 pm – 4:00 pm EDT // 12:45 pm – 1:00 pm PDT Break
4:00 pm -5:00 pm EDT // 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm PDT
General Counsels in Entertainment and Sports
What are the key legal issues facing in-house legal departments in the sports and entertainment
industries? How are those issues similar and different to each other and to other industries? Join our
expert panel of General Counsels for an insider’s look at the current legal landscape of the sports and
entertainment industries.
Lead Facilitator Speakers
Brendan Dolan, Jennifer Roberts, Chip Seigel, III
Corporate Counsel, General Counsel General Counsel,
Polaris, WynnBET, Vegas Golden Knights,
Medina, MN Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas, NV
Maggy Carlyle, Joshua Pila,
General Counsel, Pac- General Counsel,
12 Conference, Meredith Corporation,
San Francisco, CA Atlanta, GA
5:15 pm -6:15 pm EDT // 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm PDT
Virtual Networking
5
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
Friday, October 8, 2021
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EDT // 9:00 am – 10:00 amD– Concurrent Sessions
Breaking into the Industry – Non-CLE
Entertainment and sports law continues to be a dynamic and evolving practice that is becoming more
and more accessible to lawyers desiring to work in this area. The panel consists of entertainment and
sports lawyers experienced in a variety of fields. They will discuss what they learned about breaking
into the practice of entertainment and sports law and what they do to keep and maintain a practice in
this area. Topics will include practice development, entertainment law resources, and the difference
between in-house and private practice and many others.
Lead Facilitator Speakers
Mark Tratos Howard Siegel Ann Brigid Clark Maraiya Hakeem
Founding Shareholder, Retired, Senior Partner, Of Counsel, Associate,
Greenberg Traurig, Pryor Cashman LLP, Greenberg Traurig, Pryor Cushman LLP,
Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas, NV Los Angeles, CA New York, NY
6
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EDT // 9:00 am – 10:00 am PDT
College Sports in Transition
This panel will explore a range of issues impacting college athletics, including the U.S. Supreme Court
decision in the Alston case, state legislation involving student-athlete name, image, and likeness rights,
changes in NCAA transfer legislation, coming back from COVID-19, and several scandals that have
impacted college athletics in recent years.
Lead Facilitator Speakers
Justin Sievert, John Long, Maggy Carlyle, Jon Duncan,
Senior Counsel, Of Counsel, General Counsel, Vice President of
Vela Wood PC, Jackson Lewis, Pac-12 Conference, Enforcement,
Miami, Florida Houston, TX San Francisco, CA NCAA,
Washington, DC
1:00 pm – 1:15 pm EDT // 10:00 am – 10:15 am PDT Break
7
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
1:15 pm – 2:15 pm EDT // 10:15 am – 11:15 am PDT – Concurrent Sessions
Speed Mentoring – Non-CLE
Sponsored by Solotoff Law Group, PLLC
Leading attorneys in the entertainment and sports arena will conduct rounds of 15-minute speed
mentoring sessions.
Mentors
Alexandra Darraby, Ken Kaufman, Ken Freundlich, Len Glickman, Polina Ivko,
Principle, Harvard University, Partner, Partner, Founder,
The Art Law Firm, Cambridge, MA Freundlich Law, Cassels, Ivko, LLC,
Los Angeles, CA Encino, CA Toronto, Canada New York, NY
Henry Root, Aalok Sharma, Kirk Schroder, LeAnn Shelton, Justin Sievert,
Partner, Associate, Partner, General Counsel, Senior Counsel,
Lapidus, Root & Stinson, Schroder Brooks The Rockwell Group, Vela Wood,
Sacharow, LLP Minneapolis, MN Law Firm, PLC, New York, NY Miami Beach, FL
Santa Monica, CA Richmond, VA
Peter Strand, Judy Tint, Mark Tratos,
Seth Steinberg, Partner, Counselor At Law Shareholder, Greenberg
Partner, Mandell Menkes and Chair, Forum on Traurig, Las Vegas, NV
Digital Arts Law, Chicago, IL the Entertainment &
San Francisco, CA Sports Industries,
New York, NY
8
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
1:15 pm – 2:15 pm EDT // 10:15 am – 11:15 am PDT
Understanding Mandatory Reporting Obligations for Amateur Sports
Organizations and College Athletic Programs
Presented by the Section of State and Local Government Law
In response to several high-profile sexual abuse/misconduct cases, amateur sports organizations and
their volunteers/coaches have increased reporting obligations under federal and state laws. The panel
will discuss the recent amendments to the Ted Stevens Amateur Sports Act, reporting obligations in the
SafeSport context, and an overview of state law mandatory reporting requirements.
Speakers
Ben Tronnes Carolyn M. Horton
Associate Counsel, Associate,
USA Hockey Clark Hill, PLC
Colorado Springs, CO Grand Rapids, MI
2:15 pm – 2:30 pm EDT // 11:15 am – 11:30 am PDT
Meditation Break - Sponsored by Riley Warnock & Jacobson
Learn a meditation technique you can do anywhere and anytime you're feeling stressed,
without anyone else knowing.
Vernon Nicolas served as Research Director and Resident Therapist
for 10+ years at EQUILIBRIUM Energy+Education, a research-based
wellness center focused on the study and application of non-invasive
energy-based therapies. Vernon discovered the power of these
practices while living a high-stress, double life in corporate America
for 20+ years - where he led research teams developing consumer
insights for Fortune 500 companies.
9
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm EDT // 11:30 am – 12:30 pm PDT – Concurrent Sessions
Data in the Ballpark
In a landmark decision in 1997, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals held that live scoring data, which
was transmitted to hand-held pagers in arenas, were not copyrightable by the NBA. Over 20 years later,
data in arenas has become integral to modern day sports. This panel will focus on the capture,
utilization, and monetization of data in ballparks and arenas.
Lead Facilitator Speakers
Laura Warren, Aalok Sharma Davyeon Ross Daniel Werly,
General Counsel, Attorney, CEO, General Counsel,
Chicago Fire Stinson LLP, ShotTracker Tennessee Titans,
Football Club, Minneapolis, MN Kansas City, KS Nashville, TN
Chicago, IL
10SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm EDT // 11:30 am – 12:30 pm PDT
Trading Box Office Dollars for Streaming Subscribers: Affiliated
Dealings in Hollywood
On December 2, 2020, Warner Bros. announced that it would bypass movie theatres and distribute its
2021 slate of films directly to its wholly-owned streaming service, HBOMax. The Hollywood Reporter
called it “a day that will live in infamy,” and well-known filmmakers such as Christopher Nolan spoke
out publicly against the move. Studios pushed back, arguing that this practice benefitted talent and the
content they create by making it more available. This panel will focus on the practice of studios like
Warner Bros., licensing their motion picture and television content directly to affiliates, along with the
potential impact on the industry, including those entitled to a share of the profits or residuals (investors,
talent, etc). The specific issues covered include:
• the practice and impact of Hollywood studios releasing their movies simultaneously at theatres
and on their wholly-owned streaming platforms like HBOMax and Disney+, known as a “day-
and-date” release;
• other related party streaming (e.g. HBOMax, Disney+, Paramount+ & CBS All Access) and
overall fair market valuation concerns (e.g. license fee valuation of older films and television
series); and
• the practice and impact of Hollywood studios licensing their television series to wholly-owned
affiliated entities (e.g. WB/CW, Fox/FBC, Paramount/Paramount+ etc.), including related cases
(e.g. Bones/Walking Dead)
Lead Facilitator Speakers
Michael Sippel, John Berlinski Brian Agboh Leigh Brecheen
Profit Participation Partner/Attorney/Litigator, Director, Business and Partner,
Services Principal, Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP Legal Affairs, Brecheen Feldman
Green Hasson Janks, Los Angeles, CA Netflix Breimer Silver &
Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, CA Thompson
Los Angeles, CA
11SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
3:30 pm – 3:45 pm EDT // 12:30 am – 12:45 pm PDT
Forum Business Meeting: Nominations
Speakers
Judy Tint, Kirk Schroder,
Counselor At Law and Chair, Nominations Chair, and Partner,
Forum on the Entertainment & Schroder Brooks, Richmond, VA
Sports Industry,
New York, NY
3:45 pm – 4:00 pm EDT // 12:30 pm – 12:45 pm PDT Break
12SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm EDT // 1:00 pm -2:00 pm PDT – Concurrent Sessions
Endorsement & Licensing Deals in the Cannabis Industry
This session will outline the legal and business considerations that go into executing a cannabis
endorsement and/or licensing deal with entertainment and sports clientele. This session will start at the
beginning of the process and will address all business and legal concerns through the final product. This
program will approach the issue from different perspectives, namely the talent side, the cannabis
accessory side, and the multi-state-operator side.
Lead Facilitator Speakers
Theresa Conduah Michael Cooper Daniel Shapiro
Marco Ciarlariello,
Partner, Managing Member, Associate General
Associate,
Haynes and Boone, LLP MadisonJay Solutions Counsel,
Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP,
Orange County, CA New York, NY Greenlane Holdings, Inc.
Toronto, Canada
Boca Raton, FL
Rethinking Sports Broadcasting Post-COVID
Sporting events came to a halt in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the games were paused, it
gave many in the industry time to rethink, reinvent and adapt to the “new” normal. This panel aims to
discuss some of the challenges the industry has faced in recent times, and the future of both the linear
television and digital sports broadcasting environments.
Lead Facilitator Speakers
Hakeem Onafowokan, Amanda Oliver Harris Peskin Samuel Strantz Sara Croll,
Vice President, Corporate Vice President, Business Partner, Corporate Counsel, Vice President of
Legal, Oklahoma City & Legal Affairs and ESG Law, Sling TV, Business & Legal
Thunder, Deputy General Brooklyn, NY Englewood, CO Affairs, FOX Sports
Oklahoma City, OK Counsel,
NASCAR
Charlotte, NC
13SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
5:00 pm – 5:15 pm EDT // 2:00 pm – 2:15 pm PDT
Stretching with Carrie Collins - Sponsored by Riley Warnock & Jacobson
Carrie Collins, owner of Stretch Chi, discovered Ki-Hara
Resistance Stretching while searching for a solution for her own
physical pain after many years as a professional pianist. Carrie has
worked as a Ki-Hara Master Trainer and Instructor for over 13 years.
5:15 pm – 6:15 pm EDT // 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm PDT
Let’s Take a SPAC at It: Special Purpose Acquisition Companies and
the Intersection of Finance & Sports
There has been a boom in transactions by special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) over the last
few years. For privately held companies seeking liquidity, SPACs have become a legitimate alternative
to traditional M&A transactions and initial public offerings (IPOs). Sports-related SPACs have appeared
in recent headlines as several high-profile sports companies became publicly traded through SPAC
acquisitions. Other sports companies are seen as potential SPAC targets. What is a SPAC? What is a
SPAC IPO? What is a de-SPAC transaction? How do those differ from an IPO? What are the SPAC-
related steps, legal issues, risks, and key considerations? This panel of legal and business leaders will
answer those questions and others through a discussion of SPACs and financial matters in sports.
Lead Facilitator Speakers
Ryan Garka, Noah Croom Tracy Deforge Noah Kornblith,
Senior Counsel, Managing Partner, CEO and Founder, Partner,
The IRONMAN Group, Beautiful Game Group LLC The Players’ Impact O’Melveny & Myers LLP,
Tampa, FL Minneapolis, MN Boston, MA San Francisco/Silicon Valley, CA
14SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
Saturday, October 9, 2021
11:45 am -12:45 pm EDT // 8:45 am – 9:45 am PDT
Bankruptcy in the Era of COVID (followed by 15-minute Live Q&A)
(Pre-recorded)
Attendees will be prompted immediately after watching the recording to apply for CLE credit.
COVID has accelerated the number of failed and failing players in the industry. We’ve seen cram-
downs, Chapter 7 and 11 filings, read about businesses having to borrow heavily to survive. Some
clients get hurt, for others, opportunities arise. Common sense and simple drafting solutions just do not
apply. Learn to communicate bankruptcy risks to clients, to create structures that are bankruptcy
resistant (or proof), understand that automatic terminations/ reversions in the event of bankruptcy are
probably not enforceable, understand the difference between principals and agents in bankruptcy,
know about specific provisions in the bankruptcy code (e.g., residual protection, allowing film
distribution to continue, etc.), and exactly what to do when our clients receive a notice of a bankruptcy
and they are owed money or have rights.
Lead Facilitator Speakers
Nancy Rapoport, Mark Tratos, William Snyder, Gregg Zive, Robert Labate,
Garman Turner Gordon Shareholder, CR3 Partners, Judge, Nevada Partner, Holland
Professor of Law, Greenberg Traurig, Dallas, TX Bankruptcy Court, & Knight LLP,
William S. Boyd, School Las Vegas, NV Reno, NV San Francisco, CA
of Law
Las Vegas, NV
12:45 pm – 1:00 pm EDT // 9:45 am – 10:00 am PDT
Live Q&A with Speakers from Bankruptcy in the Era of COVID
15SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
1:00 pm – 1:15 pm EDT // 10:00 am – 10:15 am PDT Break
1:15 pm -2:15 pm EDT // 10:15 am – 11:15 am PDT – Concurrent Sessions
Running Up the Score with the First Amendment: Rights of Publicity,
Intellectual Property and Social Media in 2021
It has been a busy year or so for new laws and court decisions based on the breadth or limitations of free
speech and the First Amendment. The panel will examine developments involving the right of
publicity, the use of third-party trademarks in video games, and the rights of social media providers to
suspend or remove accounts. Discussion will include (i) New York State's newly enacted right of
publicity and Anti-SLAPP laws, (ii) the NCAA's handling and plans in response to student-athlete's
"name, image and likeness" (NIL) proposals, (iii) the continued success of video game publishers to rely
on First Amendment arguments in trademark disputes, and (iv) the ongoing debate relating to §230 of
the Communications Decency Act and the ability of social media companies to determine who can
participate on their private platforms.
Lead Facilitator Speakers
Seth Steinberg, Gena Feist, Marc Mayer, Ben Sheffner, Joshua Simmons,
Principal, Deputy General Partner, SVP & AGC, Partner,
Digital Arts Law, San Counsel, Mitchell Motion Picture Kirkland & Ellis,
Francisco, CA Epic Games, New Silberberg & Association, New York, NY
York, NY Knupp LLP, Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, CA
16SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
1:15 pm -2:15 pm EDT // 10:15 am – 11:15 am PDT
Buy, Beg, Borrow or Steal: To Sell Your Copyrights, Borrow Against
Them or Take an Advance
This panel will address whether a copyright owner should sell his or her assets, borrow against them, or
take an advance, discuss the tax implications of the decision, and the relevant legal issues. Experts will
also discuss the legal issues and valuation methodologies.
Lead Facilitator Speakers
Henry W. Root, Bradford S. Cohen, Esq., Scott McDowell, Esq., Kirsten M. Wilson,
Partner, Partner, Executive Vice President, President,
Lapidus, Root & Jeffer Mangels Butler & Legal & Business Affairs, The W group,
Sacharow, LLP, Mitchell LLP, Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Denver, CO
Santa Monica, Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, CA
CA
2:15 pm -2:30 pm EDT // 11:15 am – 11:30 am PDT
Stretching with Carrie Collins- Sponsored by Riley Warnock & Jacobson
17SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm EDT // 11:30 am – 12:30 pm PDT
Concerts & Shows in an Omni-Channel World: Navigating Music in the
Burgeoning Virtual Space
Through this session, we will explore music’s role in the “virtual space” as we move to an omni-channel
world where virtual spaces sit in prominence alongside the physical world. Aspects discussed may
include copyright, contracts, avatars/name/likeness considerations, and navigation of licensing,
monetization, investment, and commerce.
Lead Facilitator Speakers
Daniel Walvick, Angie Rho, David Rosenberg, Alexandra Bear,
Senior Corporate Counsel, Head of Music Head of Content Senior Legal
Pandora, Business Affairs, Licensing, Director, Brand,
Oakland, CA CAA, Zoom, Advertising &
Los Angeles, CA San Francisco, CA Media,
Peloton,
New York, NY
Sally Stacy, Shrina Patel,
SVP, Legal Affairs, Director of Business
U.S. Concerts, & Legal Affairs,
Live Nation, Merlin Network,
Dallas, TX London, UK
3:30 pm -4:00 pm EDT // 12:30pm – 1:00 pm PDT Break
18SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm EDT // 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm PDT
Featured Speakers – Non-CLE
A Conversation with Kathleen Dunbar & Joan Dukore
Interviewer Speakers
Hilarie Bass, Kathleen Dunbar, Joan DuKore,
President & Founder, Professional Comedian, Professional Magician,
Bass Institute for Diversity, and Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas, NV
Inclusion; Former President,
American Bar Association
(2017-2018),
Miami, FL
5:00 pm – 5:15 pm EDT // 2:00pm – 2:15 pm PDT Break
19SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
5:15 pm – 6:15 pm EDT // 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm PDT
Elimination of Bias in Entertainment & Sports Law
(Elimination of Bias CLE Credit)
Entertainment and sports lawyers represent a dynamic and forward-thinking clientele, but like the
industry itself, entertainment and sports lawyers face a challenge of including historically
underrepresented groups in the field. This expert panel will discuss strategies for identifying and
eliminating bias in entertainment and sports law practice; diversity and inclusion efforts in
entertainment and sports law; and the activities of the diversity and inclusion task force of the ABA
Forum on the Entertainment & Sports Industries.
Lead Facilitator Speakers
Hilarie Bass, Neeta Ragoowansi, Jaia A. Thomas, Esq.,
President & Founder, Bass Institute Chair, Diversity Task Force, Forum on Founder/President,
for Diversity, and Inclusion; Former the Entertainment & Sports Industries, Diverse Representation,
President, American Bar Association New York, NY Los Angeles, CA
(2017-2018), Miami, FL
20SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
Thursday, October 14, 2021
12:00 pm-1:00 pm EDT // 9:00 am – 10:00 am PDT
Brexit and the Art & Entertainment Industry: How the EU-UK Trade
and Cooperation Agreement will Impact the International
Entertainment Industry (Pre-recorded)
Attendees will be prompted immediately after watching the recording to apply for CLE credit.
Since 2016, the European Union and the United Kingdom have engaged in contentious trade relations
regarding the UK’s departure from the European Union. While a majority of the UK’s creative
industries voted against this separation, it is now incumbent on them to face the reality at hand. How
sectors in the entertainment industry will be impacted remains largely unknown, as the December 2020
provisional free-trade agreement offers very little certainty. This program seeks to introduce
practitioners to the many challenges that they may face as a result of Brexit and the EU-UK Trade and
Cooperation Agreement. These issues include access to funding, tax incentives, intellectual property
issues, licensing, visas and immigration issues, as well as a complex regulatory scheme.
Lead Facilitator Speakers
Emily Behzadi, Davey Jay, Esq., Carolyn E Pepper, Gordon Williams,
Assistant Professor of Partner, Partner, Partner,
Law, Meehle & Jay, Reed Smith, Lee & Thompson LLP,
California Western Orlando, FL London, United Kingdom London, United Kingdom
School of Law,
San Diego, CA
1:00 pm -1:15 pm EDT // 10:00 am-10:15 am PDT Break
21SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
1:15 pm-2:30 pm EDT // 10:15 am – 11:30 pm PDT
Litigation Update
This last year has seen landmark decisions on a variety of issues in Entertainment Law–Sports, Music,
Film and Television, and other key areas. A panel of litigation experts will run down some of the major
developments in Court cases during the past year. This must-see event for all attendees will present
practice tips and lessons learned from the litigation during the past year. The panel will also talk about
discernible trends and cases likely to be a major factor in Entertainment Law in the coming year.
Lead Facilitator Speakers
Ken Freundlich, Julie Greer, Tim Warnock, Angela de Cespedes,
Partner, Partner, Partner, Partner,
Freundlich Law, Coblenz Patch Duffy Riley Warnock & Saul Ewing Arnstein
Encino, CA & Bass LLP, Jacobson, & Lehr LLP,
San Francisco, CA Nashville, TN Miami, FL
2:30 pm -2:45pm EDT // 11:30 am-11:45 am PDT Break
22SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
2:45pm – 3:45 pm EDT // 11:45 am – 12:45 pm PDT
Featured Speaker– Non-CLE
A Conversation with Allan H. “Bud” Selig, Commissioner Emeritus,
Major League Baseball
Don Gibson served in senior legal and business roles with MLB and worked with former MLB
Commissioner (and current Commissioner Emeritus) Allan H. “Bud” Selig. Mr. Gibson currently
teaches a course with CE Selig at ASU on MLB's Impact on Law and Society. They will have a lively
discussion covering a variety of issues, including the evolution of the role of the Commissioner, race
and gender issues in Baseball, labor/management relations, the globalization of the game, the state of
the game, and the future of the game.
Interviewer Speaker
Don E. N. Gibson, Allan H. “Bud” Selig,
Professor of Practice, Commissioner Emeritus,
Arizona State University, Sandra Major League Baseball
Day O’Connor College of Law, Allan
“Bud” Selig Sports Law and
Business Program,
Phoenix, AZ
3:45 pm – 4:00 pm EDT // 12:45 pm-1:00 pm PDT Break
23SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm EDT // 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm PDT
First Amendment and Creativity: Cultural Appropriation
Free speech, the raison d’etre of the First Amendment, provides the right to express ideas and opinions.
Originally a safeguard to express pluralistic views of government, free speech is now widely applied to
almost any act of expression by anyone about anything, an expressive platform broadened and
instantaneously communicated by the internet and social media. A competing interest to First
Amendment is cultural appropriation--the adoption of customs, practices, ideas, food, fashion,
iconography of one people or society by members of another. The melding of cultures in America,
formerly termed “melting pot, is now considered by some unwelcome appropriation. Examples include
borrowing symbols and sounds of other cultures for content in books, plays, dress, comedy, artworks
and other creations. The panel of creators, experts and lawyers explores artistic freedom, the legal,
philosophical and economic underpinnings of appropriation in contemporary America, and evaluates
how the First Amendment may facilitate a prism of content creation and distribution of cultural voices.
Lead Facilitator Speakers
LeAnn Shelton, Binta Niambi Alexandra Darraby, Loren Schoenberg, Suzanne Nossel,
General Counsel, Brown, Principal, Attorney and Senior Scholar, Chief Executive
Architect, Founder, Author, Constitution, Musician, Officer,
Rockwell Group, omalilly projects, Copyright and Culture, The National Jazz PEN America,
New York, NY New York, NY Art Law Firm, Museum in Harlem, New York, NY
Los Angeles, CA New York, NY
5:00 pm-5:30 pm EDT // 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm PDT
Virtual Chair Yoga for Attorneys – Sponsored by Ivko, LLC
Ivko, LLC presents Chair Yoga for Attorneys with Polina Ivko, Managing Member, Ivko LLC, New
York, NY
Instructor
Ivko LLC was founded by an award-winning attorney Polina Ivko and it
represents different clients within the arts, entertainment, luxury goods, and sports
industries on transactional and litigation matters. Our attorneys’ combined law
firm, in-house and judicial clerkship experience gives them the ideal background to
handle any client’s needs.
24SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
5:30 pm-7:00 pm EDT // 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm PDT
Virtual Breaking into the Industry and Speed Networking (Non-CLE)
The entertainment and sports industries are constantly evolving, and each attorney's entry and
experience in these fields are unique. This panel will feature a diverse set of entertainment and sports
lawyers who will share details about their practice, how they entered the industry, and how these
practices will continue to change.
Lead Facilitator Speakers
Maacah Scott, Meghan Kane, Josh Siskin, Kaleisha Stuart, Rhuju Vasavada,
Assistant General Former Assistant Manager of Legal Deputy General Counsel,
Counsel, Counsel, NFL / Former Affairs, Counsel, Major League
Chicago White Sox, Associate General Minnesota Wild, Dallas Cowboys, Baseball,
Chicago, IL Counsel, Varsity Brands, St. Paul, MN Dallas, TX New York, NY
Dallas, TX
25SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
Friday, October 15, 2021
10:30 am-11:30 am EDT // 7:30 am – 8:30 am PDT
Anatomy of a Title IX/Harassment Investigation
Presented by the Section of State and Local Government Law
What happens when claims of sexual misconduct or abuse are made against employees/officials in
educational institutions (including athletic departments) that receive federal funds? The panel will
address best practices for handling sexual harassment/misconduct and discrimination investigations,
public sector peculiarities, investigation pitfalls to avoid, and practical steps to minimize risk
exposure/litigation.
Speakers
Maria F. Dwyer, Mary Kay Klimesh,
Member, General Counsel,
Clark Hill PLC, Douglas County
Detroit, MI School District RE-1,
Castle Rock, CO
11:30 am – 11:45 am EDT // 8:30 am – 8:45 am PDT Break
26SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
11:45 pm – 12:45 pm EDT // 8:45 am – 9:45 am PDT
Pragmatics and Ethics: A Topline View of Lawyers’ Obligations in the
World of Cyber Security, Information Privacy, and Cyber Insurance
(Ethics CLE Credit)
Cybersecurity, data protection, and information privacy are critical issues facing multinational
corporations. This panel will examine cybercrime (ransomware, data breach and theft, social
engineering schemes) and nation state cyberattacks (Solarwinds, Hafnium), related ethical requirements
for lawyers, and practical challenges of protecting client files and communications, disclosing breaches,
and backing up data. The panel also will examine relevant cyber insurance coverages available to
protect against first-party losses and liability exposures stemming from cyber events.
Lead Facilitator Speakers
Sergio Oehninger, Victoria Beckman, Guillermo Christensen, Mario Paez,
Partner, Principal Corporate Partner, Director, Cyber & Tech E&O,
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, Counsel, Ice Miller LLP, Marsh McLennan Agency,
LLP, Washington, DC Microsoft Corp, Ft. Washington DC Minneapolis, MN
Lauderdale, FL
27SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
12:45 pm -1:15 pm EDT // 9:45 am – 10:15 am PDT
Musical Performance by Folk Uke
It was 1998 in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter when
Cathy Guthrie and Amy Nelson met at a bar…where
they both worked. One was a tramp and one was
devastatingly pure. With a ukulele and an acoustic
guitar, they formed a band for the same reason kids
join gangs— just to survive, but also to unleash the
brilliance that was poking them from within.
Left to Right: Cathy Guthrie and Amy Nelson
Photo by Kim Reed
Don’t believe the rumors. Folk Uke is not totally amazing. They’re just kind of amazing. If you find
yourself at a Folk Uke show, you are in for a treat— but maybe not the kind of treat that you like the
taste of. Come to the show and see for yourself. Better yet, buy their albums first and you may save
yourself the trouble. And if you make it to a live Folk Uke show, do your best to enjoy it…and then
give them two more chances. They are hit and miss, but so are you most likely, and that is their charm.
We live to inspire and we’re tired of writing in third person.
1:15 pm – 2:15 pm EDT // 10:15 am – 11:15 am PDT
Leaving It All on the Field/Court/Ice: Diversity and Inclusion in the
Sports Industry (Elimination of Bias CLE Credit)
This session will consider the importance of diversity and inclusion in the sports industry and sports
law, and building a more robust engagement strategy for employees and fans. This panel will discuss
the business, legal, and ethical challenges, and opportunities that organizations have after a tumultuous
year in social justice and awareness.
Lead Facilitator Speakers
Naima Stevenson Starks, Woodie Dixon, Allison Rich, Adolpho Birch,
Deputy General Counsel, General Counsel, Senior Associate Athletics Senior Vice President of
NCAA, Chegg, Director, Senior Woman Business Affairs & Chief
Indianapolis, IN San Francisco, CA Administrator (SWA), Legal Officer, Tennessee
Princeton University, Titans,
Princeton, NJ Nashville, TN
28SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
2:15 pm -2:30 pm EDT // 11:15 am – 11:30 am PDT
Stretching with Carrie - Sponsored by Riley Warnock & Jacobson
2:30 pm – 3:15 pm EDT // 11:30 am – 12:15 pm PDT
Featured Speaker – Non-CLE
A Conversation with William “Bill” DeWitt III, President,
St. Louis Cardinals
Ken Freundlich will interview Bill DeWitt III on current topics in Major League Baseball, as seen
through the lens of the C-Suite of the Ballclub.
Interviewer Speaker
Kenneth Freundlich, William “Bill” DeWitt III,
Principal, President,
Freundlich Law, St. Louis Cardinals,
Encino, CA St. Louis, MO
3:15 pm – 3:30 pm EDT // 12:15 pm – 12:30 pm PDT
Guided Meditation with Vernon Nicolas - Sponsored by Riley Warnock & Jacobson
29SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm EDT // 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm PDT
Feature Speaker – Non-CLE
Behind-the-ScenesTour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art:
Department of Africa, Art in the Americas and Oceania
Sponsored by Venable, LLC
You’re invited by the ABA Forum on Entertainment and Sports Industries to a private behind-the-
scenes tour of the galleries of The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New
York, and a dialogue between Alisa LaGamma, Ceil and Michael E. Pulitzer Curator Arts of Sub-
Saharan Africa, Curator in Charge, and Alexandra Darraby, Division Chair of the Forum’s International
Section, who arranged this special event for the Forum’s Annual Meeting. Alexandra and Alisa will
have a conversation on how the collections, which source to diverse cultures, inform contemporary
understanding and experiences. Attendees who register will view the construction site for the remodel
of the Wing, learn about the objects and architectural plans for exhibiting the collections, and hear
Alexandra’s interview of Alisa, which enables a viewing of works specially removed from storage for
this presentation that are not available to the public until the Wing re-opens. Wear your hard-hats!
Interviewer Speaker
Alexandra Darraby, Alisa LaGamma, Ph.D,
Principal, Attorney and Author, Ceil and Michael E. Pulitzer Curator in Charge
Constitution, Copyright and Culture, Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Art Law Firm, Metropolitan Museum of Art,
Los Angeles, CA New York, NY
4:30 pm – 4:45 pm EDT // 1:30 pm – 1:45 pm PDT Break
30SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
4:45 pm – 5:45 pm EDT // 1:45 pm – 2:45 pm PDT
Hits and Misses During Covid: What Areas of Entertainment Have
Succeeded and Why during Covid? What Areas of Entertainment Have
Been Hurt. What Should Attorneys and Counselors at Law Advise
Clients During a Pandemic?
The shutdown of the US economy in March brought a halt to film and television production, live events
(including concerts and theme parks) and going to the movies. Video game development continued and
streaming services picked-up additional content, with more folks playing games and watching
television while staying-home. Executives from these industries will discuss some of the reasons for the
commercial success of the video game and streaming spaces, and the continued negative impact that the
pandemic has had on other areas of entertainment and will discuss the legal advice they were seeking
from their attorneys during the shutdown and what attorneys, as counselors at law to these industries,
needed to be advising during the pandemic.
Lead Facilitator Speakers
Mark Tratos, Deborah Dean, Myron Martin, Seth Steinberg,
Shareholder, Chief Tech President and CEO, Principal,
Greenberg Traurig, Commercialization Smith Center for the Digital Arts Law,
Las Vegas, NV Officer, Performing Arts, San Francisco, CA
BioIQ, Las Vegas, NV
Atlanta, GA
Chris Carvalho, Douglas Reilly,
Digital Media Executive Vice President
and Board Member Lucasfilm Games,
Roblox, San Rafael, CA San Francisco, CA
31SCHEDULE OF EVENTS continued
6:00 pm-7:00 pm EDT // 3:00 pm-4:00 pm PDT
Featured Speaker – Non-CLE
Discussion with Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford
Moderator and ABA State and Local Government Law Section Chair Steven F. Stapleton will host
Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford and the two will discuss topics of interest to the State and
Local Government Law Section and Forum on Entertainment and Sports. Topics will include the status
of NIL in Nevada for the amateur student-athlete, use of Nevada stadiums and arenas for election
activities and vaccination sites and other legal updates.
Interviewer Speaker
Steven F. Stapleton, Aaron D. Ford,
Chair of the ABA Section of State and Local Nevada Attorney General
Government Law and Member, Carson City, Nevada
Clark Hill PLC.,
Grand Rapids, MI
7:15 pm - 8:15 pm EDT // 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm PDT
Virtual Happy Hour
32SPONSORS
Thank you to all of our sponsors for their continued support of the Forum.
Emerald Sponsors
Gold Sponsor
Bronze Sponsors
Specific Conference Activity Sponsors
Behind-the-Scenes Tour of Friday Speed Mentoring Session Wellness Sessions
Metropolitan Museum of Art
33Conference Information
Early-Bird Registration
Early bird registration extended through the end of the conference. Visit the conference website at
https://cvent.me/xk7ze3?RefId=welcome or complete the registration form included in this brochure.
There are no one-day registration or single event options.
There are no one-day registration or single event options.
Financial Assistance
A limited number of scholarships to defray tuition expenses are available for this program. To request
an application or receive additional information, please contact, bernadettte.steele@americanbar.org
by September 24, 2021. Qualifying attorneys may receive a 50% reduction in tuition fees.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credit
The ABA will seek 19.00 hours of CLE credit in 60-minute states, and 22.80 hours of CLE credit for this
program in 50-minute states* including 2.0 hours of CLE Ethics credit in 60-minute states and 2.40 hours
of CLE Ethics credit in 50-minute states; and 2.0 hours of CLE Elimination of Bias credit in 60-minute
states and 2.40 hours of CLE Elimination of Bias credit in 50-minute states. Credit hours are estimated and
are subject to each state’s approval and credit rounding rules. Please visit americanbar.org/MCLE for
general information on CLE at the ABA.
*Florida Bar regulators have stated that attorneys will not receive Florida credit for any ABA program, even if
they self-apply.
Cancellation Policy
Registrants who are unable to attend the program will receive a refund less a $50.00 administrative fee if a written
cancellation is received by September 24, 2021. For additional questions, please send an email to
Bernadette.steele@americanbar.org. Substitutions are acceptable. Cancellations may be faxed to 312-988-5850. The
ABA reserves the right to cancel any programs and assumes no responsibility for personal expenses.
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