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Headline Sports Law

National Sports Law Negotiation Competition

The National Sports Law Negotiation Competition will bring 20 law schools and 40 competitors from around the United States to Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, CA from September 23-25, 2011.  The event will include the competition itself along with a Sports Law Symposium (the 10th of its kind).  For information on the Negotiation Competition, please head over to the 2011 National Sports Law Negotiation Competition website.

The symposium will contain two panels.  The first panel will be addressing negotiations, while the second panel will discuss “NCAA Compliance.”  Lunch is included with the price of admission to the Symposium.  Over 100 guests are expected to be in attendance. The symposium begins at 12:30 p.m. and the first panel concludes at 2:00 p.m.  The second (NCAA) panel runs from 2:15 p.m. – 3:30/3:45 p.m.

The following speakers/moderator are confirmed for the symposium:

  • Brian Hannula, Esq.: Sports agent with the Alliance Sports Group
  • Craig Fenech, Esq.: Law Offices of Craig E. Fenech
  • Vered N. Yakovee, Esq., Law Offices of Vered N. Yakovee, Editor-in-Chief, Entertainment & Sports Lawyer, Lecturer in Law, Sports Law, USC Gould School of Law
  • Carla Varriale, Esq.: Partner, HRRV
  • Rod Smith, Esq.: Thomas Jefferson School of Law Director Center of Sports Law & Policy
  • Brian Adkins, Esq.: Sports agent
  • Earl Edwards: UCSD Athletic Director
  • Jeff Levine: Adjunct Professor of Law at Phoenix School of Law
  • Moderator: Randy Grossman, Esq.: Grossman Sports Enterprises
Cost: The following is for those interested in attending the symposium only- $50.00 – Guests, $30.00 – Thomas Jefferson School of Law Faculty, Staff, Alumni & San Diego County Bar Association Members, $20.00 – Students.

By Darren Heitner

Darren Adam Heitner, Esq., is a preeminent sports attorney and the founder of Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C., a Fort Lauderdale-based law firm specializing in sports law, contract negotiations, intellectual property, and arbitration. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2010 and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, magna cum laude, from the University of Florida in 2007, where he was named Valedictorian of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Admitted to practice in the state bars of Florida, New York, and the District of Columbia, as well as multiple federal courts, Darren also serves as a certified arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association.

As an adjunct professor, Darren imparts his expertise through teaching Sports Law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) at the University of Miami School of Law in the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law LL.M. program. His scholarly contributions include authoring several books published by the American Bar Association, such as How to Play the Game: What Every Sports Attorney Needs to Know, and numerous articles in prominent publications like Forbes, Inc. Magazine, and Above the Law. His thought leadership in NIL has earned him recognition as one of the foremost experts by The Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, and On3, and he has been lauded as a “power player in NIL deals” by Action Network and a “top sports trademark attorney” by Sportico.

Darren’s passion for sports law led him to establish Sports Agent Blog on December 31, 2005, initially titled “I Want To Be A Sports Agent.” The platform, created as a New Year’s resolution, has grown into a cornerstone of the sports agency community, offering in-depth analysis of industry trends, legal disputes, and agent-player dynamics. His commitment to the field is further evidenced by his representation of numerous athletes and sports agents, as well as his prior role as an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University Bloomington, where he developed and taught a course on Sport Agency Management from 2011 to 2014.

Darren’s contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the University of Florida’s 40 Under 40 Award, the University of Florida Levin College of Law’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, and designation as the best lawyer in Fort Lauderdale by Fort Lauderdale Magazine. He remains an active voice in the sports law community, sharing insights through his weekly NIL newsletter and his X posts, engaging a broad audience on legal developments in sports.