Sports Law: Protecting the Business of Athletes
Lommen Abdo not only knows sports, business and the law, we are passionate about connecting them to help our sports clients find success on and off the field!
Representing athletes, coaches or teams requires a familiarity with the legal principles that challenge those in the sports world on a regular basis. We are not agents.
WE ARE SPORTS ATTORNEYS. The ability to address specific legal issues is essential to your successful career.
Lee A Hutton III heads up Lommen Abdo's Sports Law Practice. Lee is an innovative attorney who represents athletes and coaches when they need assistance building their careers and their businesses. Lee knows how to connect athletics and business. He utilizes a holistic approach for the myriad of issues that arise both in negotiating contracts and in forming non-profit and for-profit corporations, advising on operational issues with these entities and protecting trade names and other intellectual property rights.
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Lommen Abdo's Sports Law Practice includes:
- Contract negotiations and documentation
- Key ancillary services
- Review of your business organizational needs and creation of legal entities
- Endorsements deals
- Speaking Engagements
- Establishing non-profits organizations and charities
- Analysis of insurance needs
- Wealth management, estate planning and other life planning
- Real estate
- Venture financing
- Copyrights and trademarks to protect your assets
- Intellectual property audits
- Professional referrals to other trusted advisors
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Lee's personal experience and expertise are backed by 40 attorneys
Lee played college football at the University of Minnesota and knows the game. Prior to going to law school, Lee went the through process of hiring an agent, trying out for NFL teams, and planning for his life after football. He then went on to law school. His playing experience, contacts throughout the sports world, experience in the law and commitment to excellence each help produce the successful results that clients seek. Mr. Hutton's experience in employment law, litigation and entertainment law provides clients with holistic representation.
Lommen Abdo has 40 attorneys that provide a broad range of services to the sports clients. Also working in the Sports Law Practice are Tom Dougherty, corporate and non-profits; Tim Matson, intellectual property and litigation; and Brett Clark, litigation. Business affairs services and intellectual property law paralegal assistance is provided by Christie Rothenberg Healey, who also manages clients' overall business profiles.
Lommen Abdo offers a full-service approach by integrating other practice groups into its client service team. Clients receive directed assistance to address specific issues they face, including such other areas as real estate purchases, venture financing, wills, trusts, and family law issues when necessary.
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Broad range of services offered for broad range of clients
The sports clientele of Lommen Abdo include coaches and athletes in a variety of sport arenas, including football, baseball, basketball, hockey and extreme sports. The Lommen Abdo team offers a broad range of capabilities and a depth of experience that make us competitive with sport entertainment firms across the country. The Sports Law Practice is part of a nationally recognized entertainment practice with members who serve on the boards of the American Bar Association Entertainment & Sports Law Practice Section and the Recording Academy. Lommen Abdo lawyers speak monthly in venues across the U.S. and Canada and have published works including articles and classroom textbooks about entertainment issues.
Client Connections
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Professional Football:
- E.J. Henderson, current Minnesota Viking, 2009 Vikings Man of the Year
- Garrett Brown, current Kansas City Chief and former University of Minnesota Gopher
- Adam “Pacman” Jones, signs with Cincinnati
- Bronko Nagurski Enterprises
Bronko Nagurski is considered one of the greatest American football players of all time. September 25th has been proclaimed Bronko Nagurski Day! Read more about Bronko's career and Bronko Nagurski Enterprises.
- Deon Hightower, former University of Minnesota Gopher
- Darrell Thompson, former Green Bay Packer and University of Minnesota Gopher
- Rosevelt Colvin, former Chicago Bear and New England Patriot
- Corey Chavous, former Minnesota Viking and St. Louis Ram, Founder of DraftNasty.com
Former NFL Pro Bowler and ESPN/NFL Network Draft Analyst Corey Chavous recently launched his new website, DraftNasty.com, which covers the NFL Draft on a year-round basis.
- Antomius Wise, Pro vs. Joes reality show
- Byron Santiago, former Green Bay Packer
Professional Baseball:
- Nick Fellman, minor league pitcher for Atlanta Braves
Professional Basketball:
- Stanley Jackson, former Minnesota Timberwolf
Olympians:
- Tucker Dupree, U.S. Paralympic Team member
- Lindsey Berg, U.S. Olympic Team member, 2008 silver medalist
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We would be pleased to answer any questions you may have about the services of our Sports attorneys. Any questions may be directed to:
In Minnesota:
Lee A. Hutton III at 612-336-9301or
lee@lommen.com or Tim Matson at 612-336-9300 or
tim@lommen.com.
Read more about our Sports Practice:
Lommen Abdo Attorney Lee Hutton was the keynote speaker at the YouthLink graduation on Wednesday, June 9th, when 30 Twin Cities homeless young people reached a milestone -- high school graduation. Read more about
the graduation, the
YouthLink program or
view the KSTP news story about the students' achievement.
Read Lee Hutton's article, "
Athlete Representation From a Sports Attorney’s Perspective: Show Me the Money and More...It’s Not Just About the Contract."
Lee Hutton was interviewed on WCCO-TV’s
Good Question. Lee answered questions about Tiger Woods’ auto accident in a segment entitled “How Much Privacy Do Celebrities Deserve?” You can watch the segment at the above link by clicking on the box in the right column.
The
Second Annual Entertainment & Sports Law Symposium was held on November 12, 2009. Lommen Abdo attorneys, partnering with Minnesota Law & Politics® and the GRAMMY Foundation®, spoke to attorneys and industry professionals about substantive legal and business issues addressed in the practice of entertainment and sports law.
Minnesota Viking E.J. Henderson to Make Local Appearance to Benefit Special Olympics
Lee Hutton was interviewed by Kare11 at the
Gophers football reunion he hosted the evening before the first game at the new TCF Stadium (on September 11 at Ultra Lounge). Lee said that many Gopher football alumni attended the party and that over 250 people attended the event.
Lommen Abdo Client Returns for 2009-2010 Viking Season.
Universities Hold Their Own Disciplinary Hearings: Lommen Abdo Provides Defense Representation. Universities have their own codes of student conduct. Violations of the code may result in actions against the student and disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion. Those involved in a code of conduct procedure or a disciplinary action should seek legal representation to protect their rights.
Lommen Abdo Works With EJ Henderson Celebrity Bass Challenge
Lee Hutton spoke at a CLE entitled Student Athletic Programs and the Law: A Primer on the Legal Issues Associated With Student Athletics on May 30th. He spoke on “Consequences of Misconduct in Athletic Departments.”
Lee Hutton was pictured on the cover of the January 18, 2008 Minnesota Lawyer. The article discusses local attorneys who represent athletes. Check out the attached
article.
Lee was featured in
Today's Spotlight in the January 6, 2008 Star Tribune.
Click on this
link to view the roundtable discussion between six former Gophers players, including Lee Hutton, which appeared in the November 14, 2007 Star Tribune.
Lee was featured in
Business Briefing in the December 4, 2007 Pioneer Press.