Lamb McErlane PC has launched a new practice area — the Sports, Entertainment, and Hospitality Division.

By having a deep knowledge of the sports and entertainment worlds and a unique understanding of its clients’ businesses and objectives, Lamb McErlane resolves the issues that can arise daily in this rapidly evolving industry.

The Firm counsels entertainers, athletes, celebrities, high-profile media personalities, C-level executives, agents, coaches, managers, and collectives, as well as other key players in the space. 

In the hospitality arena, Lamb McErlane Attorneys have extensive experience advising highly regarded chefs, well-known restaurateurs, mixed-use developers, hotels, breweries and wineries, health clubs and spas, and resorts and casinos.

Lamb McErlane PC’s Sports, Entertainment, and Hospitality Division offers a comprehensive suite of services to its clients. Backed by extensive experience, the Firm consistently provides sophisticated, business-focused advice in a broad spectrum of legal and business scenarios, from contract negotiations to civil litigation, and everything in between. Its results-oriented approach is focused on commercializing, capitalizing, and protecting the value of its client’s specific brand — or name, image, and likeness (“NIL”).

Lamb McErlane Partners Jake D. Becker and Kathleen O’Connell Bell serve as Co-Chairs of the Sports, Entertainment, and Hospitality Division.

Becker is a Partner and Co-Chair of both the Firm’s Employment Law Department and the Firm’s Sports, Entertainment, and Hospitality Department. Becker has a broad range of experience, including contact, entertainment, general business, employment, and personal injury litigation. He frequently represents and counsels employers and executives in a variety of employment-related issues, litigating cases that include discrimination, harassment, retaliation, leave, and accommodation-related claims across numerous industries and jurisdictions.

Bell is also a Partner and serves as Co-Chair of the Firm’s Employment Law Department as well as the Sports, Entertainment, and Hospitality Department. She concentrates her practice in employment law, higher education law, commercial civil litigation, general premises liability defense, and hospitality law. Bell’s broad range of experience includes higher education law, employment law, contract review and drafting, general business, and personal injury litigation, and she has extensive experience in handling these issues both in and out of the courtroom.

Lamb McErlane’s services in its Sports, Entertainment, and Hospitality Division include:

Litigation

Lamb McErlane PC’s Sports, Entertainment, and Hospitality Division represents athletes, coaches, and interested parties in contract disputes, NCAA inquiries, and personal disputes outside of their official roles.

Name, Image, and Likeness (“NIL”)

Lamb McErlane’s NIL team advises collectives, universities, and student-athletes on the everchanging complex patchwork of state NIL laws and NCAA rules. The Firm works to help clients leverage opportunities and manage risks as they navigate the regulatory labyrinth and legal concerns that arise in the NIL space, including areas such as contracts, licensing, intellectual property, technology and data privacy, social media, digital platforms and NFTs, media rights, academic and athletic eligibility, NCAA compliance, and financial reporting

Professional Sports Rules and Regulations

Lamb McErlane’s Attorneys are adept at assessing league rules and regulations and advising of the impact upon amateur status, various professional sports activities, and funding.

Collegiate Compliance Rules

Attorneys in Lamb McErlane PC’s Sports, Entertainment, and Hospitality Division evaluate compliance rules of the NCAA and conferences (such as the Big East and Division II and III) and advise on the impacts of various collegiate athletic activities. 

Labor and Employment

In this sector of Lamb McErlane PC’s Sports, Entertainment, and Hospitality Division, Attorneys can draft and review employment agreements, employee handbook/policy requirements, and athlete handbooks; represent before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); and advise clients on taking adverse actions against current and potential employees and contractors.

Intellectual Property

This sector includes matters related to trademarks, licensing and merchandising, handling licensing matters, and drafting agreements protecting NIL rights.

Corporate

Corporate involves:

• Drafting commercial agreements, governance, and partnership matters.
• Drafting and negotiating agreements for the creation, development, recording, publication, distribution, branding, and merchandising of various media.
• Advising on event contracts, sponsorship issues, and catalog sales.
• Mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, and strategic alliances.
• Sports sponsorships, including event contracts, broadcast agreements, and naming rights.
• Sports broadcasting agreements between on-air talent and media outlets.

Real Estate

Lamb McErlane provides counsel on the purchase and sale of land, financing, development, land use rights, zoning, leasing, and appeals.

Executive Compensation

Executive Compensation involves the counseling of teams, conferences, and leagues regarding compensation for executives and high-value talent.

Estate Planning

Lamb McErlane advises athletes, entertainers, and business owners on how to structure, protect, and minimize tax burdens.

Whether you’re an athlete, team, conference, or league; an owner, agent, or investor; a media or tech company or other content developer or publisher; or a brand operating in the space, Lamb McErlane is committed to helping you play competitively, on and off the field.

Learn more about Lamb McErlane’s Sports, Entertainment & Hospitality Department at Lamb McErlane PC, a full-service regional law Firm based in West Chester, with additional offices in Philadelphia, Newtown Square, Oxford, Exton, and Mt. Laurel, N.J.