Adler Pollock & Sheehan P.C.
Overview
Adler Pollock & Sheehan (AP&S) is a New England law firm representing local, national and international clients in a wide range of complex legal matters. Since 1960, we have been committed to providing clients with the highest levels of legal services through a wide variety of practice areas in our four office locations: Providence and Newport, RI, Boston, MA and Manchester, NH.
AP&S has a long-standing and varied experience in the area of sports law. We served as outside general counsel to the former World Boxing Organization. We have substantial litigation experience representing professional sports organizations, athletes, coaches, athletic directors, strength and conditioning personnel, and team managers, and have represented sports clients in administrative, civil and criminal litigation and NCAA investigations. We have also been involved in corporate, estate planning, tax, licensing and intellectual property issues related to sports law and participate in the Sports Lawyers Association.
Select Experience
Areas of Concentration
Contracts (drafting, review, negotiation and enforcement/litigation)
Civil and criminal litigation (state and federal courts)
Administrative and regulatory proceedings
NCAA regulations, reviews, investigations and hearings
Labor, employment and collective bargaining
Tax and estate planning for athletes, coaches, athletic directors, managers, front office personnel and owners of sports teams and facilities
Sports facility leases and real estate matters
Sports-related intellectual property (including trademarks, merchandizing, logos and litigation)
Representative Matters
In the wake of the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Murphy v. NCAA, 138 S. Ct. 1461 (U.S. 2018), AP&S advised the Rhode Island Lottery as it became the first New England state to implement sports wagering and one of the first in the country to implement online sports wagering. AP&S successfully defended the Rhode Island Lottery in subsequent litigation challenging the constitutionality of both forms of wagering and is defending that judgment on appeal before the Rhode Island Supreme Court.
AP&S regularly advises a regional sports association that serves as the governing body for youth and adult clubs on its legal obligations and players’ rights.
Represented former World Boxing Organization in various litigation matters involving various promoters and boxers.
Represented the World Boxing Organization in various administrative and regulatory forums.
Intellectual property work (trademark and copyright) for professional athletes and sports team.
Represented promoters and organizers of Ultimate Fighting and Mixed Martial Arts in lobbying, regulatory, administrative and litigation matters.
Represented student-athletes in administrative and regulatory matters, as well as in litigation against leagues, conferences and the NCAA.
Defended a Big East basketball program and its head coach on claims brought by a former player for personal injury resulting from alleged improper training regimens and medical care.
Defended coaches and athletic program managers in Big East and NCAA reviews and investigations.
Defended manufacturer of sporting goods products in antitrust litigation brought by distributors.
Represented manufacturer of racing shells sold to college and club crews in leasing, financing, corporate, tax and contract issues.
Extensive experience and legal work relating to sports venues, including U.S. Golf Museum, U.S. Tennis Hall of Fame, and Volvo Regatta.
In a case of first impression, represented a Chinese pharmaceutical company in a multi-state, multi-jurisdictional regulatory and criminal prosecution arising out of baseball’s “Mitchell Report” and involving the distribution of HGH in the United States and abroad. AP&S successfully negotiated a plea that resulted in a fine and community service payments and a misdemeanor with no jail time for the company’s president.
Represented an NFL player/witness in the Aaron Hernandez criminal investigation.
Appointed legal counsel to America’s Cup Rhode Island 2013 Committee. Represented an NBA player (top 10 draft pick) in contract, licensing, tax and estate planning matters.
