Experienced In-House Counsel with a demonstrated history of working in the sports and entertainment industry. Skilled in commercial contracts, corporate transactions, and providing counsel on issues of strategic importance to an organization. Legal professional with a Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School and Bachelor of Arts in History from Brown University.
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Create my profileHall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company
Assistant General Counsel •April 2021 - Present
• Draft, review, interpret, and negotiate a wide range of complex commercial contracts,
including media and licensing agreements, varied service agreements, retail and office
leases, SOWs, letters of intent, confidentiality agreements, and related legal documents.
• Support the General Counsel with general corporate and commercial matters.
• Develop and manage comprehensive contract repository and tracking system.
• Review and advise on various marketing, social media, and other promotional materials.
• Plan and conduct complex legal assignments.
• Contribute with analysis, research, identification, and communication of key legal and
regulatory issues that could promote or harm the Company’s overall business initiatives.
• Provide sound and practical business judgment, ability to think strategically, and desire to
establish a “trusted advisor” relationship with colleagues, executives, and key business
partners.
• Anticipate legal risks and develop pragmatic mitigation strategies.
XFL
Director, Legal & Business Affairs •February 2020 - April 2020
NOTE: The XFL suspended operations April 2020 and therefore the position no longer existed.
• Drafted, reviewed and negotiated various agreements across the organization, including complex commercial transactions, intellectual property agreements, technology agreements, service provider agreements and professional services agreements.
• Provided counsel on issues of strategic importance to the organization and contributed to the corporate strategy planning process.
• Supported the organization’s efforts to protect all forms of its intellectual property, including its patents, trade secrets, trademarks and copyrights.
• Provided counsel and support on various data privacy matters, including CCPA, to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.
• Managed legal processes, procedures and protocols for all functions of the organization.
WME (Endeavor)
Legal & Business Affairs Executive •April 2016 - February 2020
• Structure, review and negotiate commercial and intellectual property agreements, including endorsement, content, appearance, social media and service agreements for active and retired professional sports clients, along with agency representation and termination papers.
• Act as an entrepreneurial business partner with, and provide strategic support and guidance to, IMG and WME sports agents.
• Provide real-time advice on a wide variety of business and legal issues, including questions of contract interpretation and enforcement.
• Liaise with other divisions across the company to enhance communication and support ongoing business efforts.
• Foster positive long-term relationships with the company’s clients and customers.
Suris & Associates, P.C.
Senior Associate Attorney •September 2009 - March 2016
• Representation of NBA player agents and agency in the drafting and negotiation of NBA player marketing deals, agency consulting agreements and agency employment agreements.
• Counsel several National Basketball Association agents and players on various matters including the creation and maintenance of their websites and social media platforms focusing on negotiation and drafting of software as a service agreements (SaaS) with vendors for video distribution, on-demand video and storage.
• Counsel individual and business clients on a broad range of matters including entity formation, technology and managing and conducting corporate due diligence.
• Bankruptcy practice group.
New York Dragons
Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel •August 2008 - August 2009
• Oversaw all aspects of business operations including marketing, sales, arena
negotiations, public relations and partnership building.
• Implemented a streamlined organizational structure that maximized staff
productivity and efficiency while reducing the office staff salary expenditure.
• Recruited, trained and managed 15 front office professionals and a team and
operational staff of more than 30.
• Handled all human resources matters including the drafting of the employee
handbook.
• Acted as sole liaison between team and arena, resulting in an improved relationship
and maximization of in-arena marketing and partnership inventory.
• Developed and managed the operations budget with Managing Partner and
President.
• General Counsel responsibilities included providing primary legal advice in all operational and administrative areas.
* Drafted, negotiated and monitored the fulfillment of all corporate partnership contracts and venue agreements.
New York Titans
Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel •August 2007 - August 2008
• Oversaw all aspects of lacrosse and business operations including marketing, sales, arena negotiations, media relations and partnership building for National Lacrosse League franchise playing at Madison Square Garden.
• Negotiated and drafted contracts for all corporate partners as well as for all players on active team roster based on the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Served as sole representative to National Lacrosse League Board of Governors for the franchise.
• General Counsel responsibilities included providing primary legal advice in all operational, administrative and human resource matters.
• Developed community initiative to partner with youth sports leagues across the tri-state area resulting in over 150 speaking engagements.
• Reviewed and developed operations budget with team President and CEO.
New York Lizards
General Manager •May 2006 - August 2007
•General Manager of Major League Lacrosse franchise.
• Managed daily operations, including oversight of front office, players and coaching
staff.
• Approached venue to re-negotiate existing agreement and cut stadium costs by 25%
over previous seasons.
• Negotiated terms of the franchise’s first regional sports network television contract
with SNY and secured corporate partners for the television package.
• Supervised game day operations and organized travel schedule for team and staff.
• Responsible for all Profit & Loss accountability and reconciliation.
• Oversaw all team sales, marketing and brand development.
• Supervised the negotiation and fulfillment of all corporate partnership agreements on
both league-wide and local levels.
Brooklyn Law School
JD•Graduated in 2005
Brown University
BA•Graduated in 2002