Sports Law Symposiums

Every spring, law schools around the country symposiums and conferences focused on sports law. Panel discussions often bring together practitioners, athletes, professionals, and academics to discuss the topics of the day—offering insight into the industry as well as updates on legal developments in the world of sports. If you’re interested in breaking into sports law these events offer terrific opportunities, not merely to learn more about current topics but also, almost more importantly, to network.

Meeting those who speak at law schools is a sure-fire way to build your ever important network. Try to meet as many people as possible and not just the speakers but those in the audience as well. It’s not uncommon for the audience to be filled with high profile, yet under the radar, people who are catching up with friends or interested in meeting one or two people themselves. Always ask questions. Ask questions about the panels, ask questions about breaking in, ask if their organizations are hiring or has internships, and ask if you can follow-up with them at some point. Be respectful of their time and don’t harangue them, but participants expect eager law students and those just starting their careers to ask them questions.

And, pay attention to where these events are being held and who is participating. One easy way to see what’s happening is by being on Twitter and following the Sports Lawyers Association (@sportslawyers) and the Sports Law Blog (@insidesportslaw). You can also follow sports lawyers out there who often promote conferences that they’re attending…

Finally, here are a few of upcoming law school events we are aware of today and our own annual conference:

March 17: Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA

March 27: Tulane Law School, New Orleans, LA

April 6: Harvard Law School, Cambridge, MA

May 14-16: Sports Lawyers Association Annual Conference, Miami, FL