The 50th Annual Sports Lawyers Association (SLA) Conference, organized by the Sports Lawyers Association, took place from May 15 to 17, 2025, at the JW Marriott Nashville in Nashville, Tennessee. This milestone event celebrated half a century of the SLA's commitment to advancing the field of sports law and provided a premier forum for legal professionals to connect and collaborate.
The conference featured a diverse array of sessions covering key topics such as the legal complexities of building modern sports stadiums, managing public crises in the sports industry, and the globalization of sports law. Notable panels included "Breaking Ground: The Legal Complexities of Building a Modern Sports Stadium," which addressed the challenges of stadium development, and "Crises + Comeback: Tools for Managing Public Crises," focusing on crisis management strategies.
Attendees had ample opportunities for networking through evening receptions, luncheons, and interactive sessions designed to foster connections among peers and industry leaders. The event also showcased an expo hall featuring leading law firms and organizations specializing in sports law. Prominent speakers included Krista Whitaker, Executive Vice President of Legal and Business Affairs & Chief Legal Officer for the Chicago Bears, who shared insights on stadium development projects.
The conference was tailored for attorneys, legal professionals, and law students with an interest in sports law. It offered a unique platform to gain cutting-edge insights, engage with industry experts, and contribute to shaping the future of sports law.
Speakers(27)
Aaron Hernandez
Assistant Dean and Executive Director at ASU Allan 'Bud' Selig Sports Law and Business Program
Aaron Hernandez is responsible for supervising the Sports Law and Business (SLB) Program at Arizona State University, ensuring its continued success. He oversees operational efficiency, admissions, curriculum development, academic and career advising, recruiting, donor and alumni relations, stakeholder relations, and student engagement.
Ajay Mohandas
Executive, Sports Business Affairs at CAA
Ajay Mohandas is an Executive in the Sports Business Affairs group at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), supporting various CAA Sports entities through a wide range of commercial matters, including negotiating and drafting agreements for corporate, consulting, and talent clients.
Ashland Johnson
Founder and President at The Inclusion Playbook
Ashland Johnson is the founder and president of the Inclusion Playbook, a sports impact consultancy specializing in racial equity, gender equity, and LGBTQ inclusion. An attorney and former Division I athlete, she has over a decade of civil rights experience working with social impact communities and advising sports leaders.
Brandon Wurl
Associate Counsel at Arizona Cardinals
Brandon Wurl is Associate Counsel for the Arizona Cardinals. He participated as a panelist in the 'Pathways to Sports Law' session at the conference.
Debbie Spander
Founder & CEO at Insight Sports Advisors
Debbie Spander is the Founder & CEO of Insight Sports Advisors, a boutique media and sports coaching agency. With 25 years of experience, she has negotiated and structured groundbreaking deals in sports media, marketing, sponsorships, and NCAA and NBA coaching.
Gabe Feldman
Sher Garner Professor of Sports Law and Paul and Abram B. Barron Professor of Law at Tulane Law School
Gabe Feldman is the Sher Garner Professor of Sports Law and Paul and Abram B. Barron Professor of Law at Tulane Law School. He was a panelist in the 'Year in Review: An Overview of Recent Legal Developments in Sports' session at the conference.
Hunter Bates
Co-Leader, Lobbying & Public Policy Practice at Akin
Hunter Bates is co-leader of Akin's lobbying & public policy practice, bringing more than 20 years of law, policy, and advocacy experience to his client work. He combines his extensive knowledge of policy and process with strong relationships with key players to provide strategic advice and advocacy on behalf of a wide range of clients.
Janet Judge
Co-Founder at Education and Sports Law Group LLC
Janet P. Judge is the co-founder of the Education & Sports Law Group with over 30 years of experience serving higher education and sports law clients. Recognized as a four-time Sports Lawyer of the Year, she advises on a myriad of sports-related legal matters, including litigation, antitrust, NIL, NCAA compliance, and Title IX.
Jeffrey Bivins
Justice at Tennessee Supreme Court
Justice Jeff Bivins took office as a member of the Tennessee Supreme Court on July 16, 2014, appointed by Governor Bill Haslam. He served as Chief Justice from September 2016 through August 2021 and was reelected in August 2022 to another eight-year term.
Jodi S. Balsam
Professor of Clinical Law at Brooklyn Law School
Jodi S. Balsam is a Professor of Clinical Law at Brooklyn Law School, where she teaches Sports Law and directs NYC's only specialized sports law externship program. She also serves as faculty advisor to the Brooklyn Entertainment and Sports Law Society and Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment Law Blog.
John Clune
Chair of Sports Law Group at Hutchinson, Black and Cook, LLC
John Clune is the Chair of the Sports Law Group at Hutchinson, Black and Cook, LLC. He participated as a panelist in the 'Pathways to Sports Law' session at the conference.
Julie Sommer
Attorney and Advocate at The Drake Group Education Fund
Julie Sommer is an attorney and advocate committed to the rights and success of college athletes. She is a national expert in Name, Image, Likeness laws, defender of Title IX, and frequent writer and spokesperson for overdue college athletic reforms.
Keir Gordon
Partner at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
Keir Gordon has significant experience advising clients within sports, specializing in sports investment including football, tennis, cricket, motor racing, rugby, and horse racing. He is particularly well-known for his football expertise and has worked on football club acquisitions for over 25 years.
Kenneth L. Shropshire
Senior Advisor to the Dean at Wharton School
Kenneth L. Shropshire is the Senior Advisor to Wharton School Dean Erika James, focused on launching and leading the Wharton Coalition on Equity and Opportunity (Wharton CEO). He is also the David W. Hauck Professor Emeritus at the Wharton School and Emeritus Professor of Africana Studies.
Leilyn Miles
Associate Counsel and Associate Director of Legal Affairs at NCAA
Leilyn Miles serves as Associate Counsel and Associate Director of Legal Affairs at the NCAA. She was a panelist in the 'Pathways to Sports Law' session at the conference.
Loren Mulraine
Professor of Law and Director of Music and Entertainment Law Studies at Belmont University College of Law
Loren Mulraine is a law professor, entertainment attorney, and advocate for creators' rights. As Director of Music and Entertainment Law Studies at Belmont University, he teaches courses including Intellectual Property, Copyright, Entertainment Law, and Sports Law.
Matt Mitten
Professor of Law and Executive Director at National Sports Law Institute, Marquette University Law School
Matt Mitten is a Professor of Law and Executive Director of the National Sports Law Institute at Marquette University Law School. He was a panelist in the 'Year in Review: An Overview of Recent Legal Developments in Sports' session at the conference.
Maureen Weston
Professor of Law and Director, Entertainment Media & Sports Law Program at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law
Maureen Weston is a Professor of Law and Director of the Entertainment Media & Sports Law Program at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. She was a panelist in the 'Year in Review: An Overview of Recent Legal Developments in Sports' session at the conference.
Mike Sheetz
Partner at Cooley LLP
Mike Sheetz has over 30 years of experience handling trade secret and business litigation in federal and state courts throughout the US. He has acted as lead trial counsel in many complex commercial and employment-related matters and leads Cooley's national sports practice.
Montené Speight
Associate at Covington & Burling
Montené Speight is an associate at Covington and Burling LLP in the firm's New York office, and a member of the Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Practice Group. She regularly handles employee benefits and executive compensation aspects of complex business transactions.
Nicholas Simon
Partner at BakerHostetler
Nicholas Simon is a business lawyer advising companies, private equity sponsors, and investors on corporate, finance, and commercial transactions. He has experience in the sports industry, advising professional sports leagues, teams, and their owners on transactional and other matters.
Nona Lee
Founder and CEO at TruthDEI
Nona Lee is the Founder and CEO of TruthDEI, focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the sports industry. She co-presented the session 'Fostering DEI in the Sports Industry; Moving from Complacency to Action' at the conference.
Scott Bearby
General Counsel at NCAA
Scott Bearby is the General Counsel for the NCAA, overseeing legal affairs for the organization. He has extensive experience in sports law and has served as an arbitrator for the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Stacey Blackwell
Former Director of Awards and Special Projects at NCAA
Stacey Blackwell co-chairs SLA's Fall Symposium committee and SLA's college sports content subcommittee. She was an NCAA staff member for 20 years, retiring as director of awards and special projects in September 2024.
Stephanie Galvin
Senior Associate Counsel at Dallas Cowboys Football Club
Stephanie Galvin is the Senior Associate Counsel for the Dallas Cowboys, providing comprehensive legal guidance across various operational facets. Her expertise includes negotiating and drafting contracts, ensuring promotional activities adhere to legal standards, and devising strategies to mitigate risks while enhancing operational efficiencies.
Stephanie Jarvis
Assistant Teaching Professor at Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
Stephanie Jarvis is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Sports Law & Business Program at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. She has held several leadership roles in local sports organizations and is the founder of SJarvis Consulting, serving as outside counsel for the Cactus League and Teall Properties Group.
Tiffany M. Shepard
Director & Senior Counsel, Brand Rights and Brand Protection at FIFA World Cup 2026
Tiffany Shepard is the Director & Senior Counsel of Brand Rights and Brand Protection for the FIFA World Cup 2026, leading the North American enforcement strategy to safeguard FIFA's World Cup 2026 IP, retail licensing, and sponsorship rights.
Event Details
- Date
- May 23-25, 2025
- 3 days
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Nashville, United States
- JW Marriott Nashville
- Pricing
- $175 - $1,850
- Audience
- Attorneys, legal professionals, law students interested in sports law
- CLE Credits
- Up to 20.7 CLE credits, including 1.8 ethics credits