3. About Akerman
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Akerman LLP is a leading transactions and trial law firm known for its core
strengths in middle market M&A, within the financial services and real estate
industries, and for a diverse Latin America practice. With more than 600
lawyers and government affairs professionals and a network of 20 offices,
Akerman is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the United States by The
American Lawyer (2015). Akerman also is ranked among the top 50 law firms
for diversity in The American Lawyer's Diversity Scorecard (2015).
Among our legal breadth, Akerman has a thriving Sports Practice who's
members serve as business representatives and contract advisors to
collegiate and professional sports teams and leagues, sports venues and
facilities, sponsors and advertisers, broadcasters, municipal and county
governments, talent, and networks. We have experience working with the
National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Association of
Intercollegiate Athletics, the National Football League, Major League
Baseball, the National Hockey League, the National Association of
Professional Baseball Leagues (minor league baseball), NASCAR, the
American Hockey League, and the Canadian Football League.
We represent clients in connection with the following:
Financing
Akerman has one of the leading teams in the U.S. representing borrowers
and lenders in a broad range of real estate and construction financing
transactions. Our lawyers are also engaged to work on public-private
partnerships (P3) for the construction of infrastructure, the creation of
community development districts, and other public financing aspects of real
estate development. Our team is experienced in single-asset and portfolio
transactions across the U.S., involving stadiums and arenas.
Construction
Akerman manages the legal aspects of major construction initiatives and
infrastructure projects around the world, providing practical counsel on
contract formation and administration issues, as well as construction
litigation, arbitration, and mediation services. Our team serves a wide array of
industry participants, including public and private owners, contractors,
designers, insurance carriers, sureties, and lenders.
4. About Akerman
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Acquisitions & Dispositions
Members of Akerman's Sports Practice have extensive experience
representing clients in connection with the purchase and sale of sports
franchises and facilities.
Corporate/Contracting
We serve as general counsel to multiple sports franchises, including the
Miami Dolphins, the Florida Panthers, and formerly the Florida Marlins. In
addition, we also provide general counsel services to numerous professional
sports facilities, including SunLife Stadium (home of the Miami Dolphins) and
the BankAtlantic Center (home of the Florida Panthers). In this capacity, we
have extensive experience with general corporate and contracting issues.
Real Estate and Land Use
Akerman represents clients in complex real estate transactions, development
and redevelopment projects, and public-private initiatives. Our lawyers
manage the legal aspects of large land deals and major construction
projects, assist developers in meeting environmental regulations and green
building standards, conceptualize and obtain development incentives, advise
on all aspects of transactional work, including leasing, acquisitions, sales,
financings, and loan restructurings, and represent clients in disputes and
litigation. With a nationally recognized real estate and land use practice and
experience in complex and large-scale development and urban infill projects,
we regularly provide real estate purchase, zoning, construction, and
development advice for sports facilities.
Intellectual Property
Akerman provides intellectual property counsel to participants in the sports
industry. Our lawyers have extensive experience representing professional
sports teams, leagues, stadiums, and athletes. Our work includes advising
clients on the selection, registration, and protection of trademarks and
copyright.
Media
Members of our sports practice represent clients in connection with the
preparation and negotiation of broadcast radio and television agreements,
network affiliation agreements, and talent and production agreements.
5. About Akerman
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Recognition
U.S. News - Best Lawyers 2015
Antitrust Law (National)
Appellate Practice (National)
Banking and Finance Law (National)
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization
Law (National)
Commercial Litigation (National)
Construction Law (National – Tier One)
Corporate Law (National – Tier One)
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (National)
Employment Law - Management (National)
Franchise Law (National)
Health Care Law (National)
Insurance Law (National)
International Arbitration - Commercial (National)
International Trade and Finance Law (National – Tier One)
Labor Law - Management (National)
Land Use & Zoning Law (National)
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law (National)
Litigation - Antitrust (National)
Litigation - Banking & Finance (National – Tier One)
Litigation - Bankruptcy (National – Tier One)
Litigation - Construction (National – Tier One)
Litigation - Intellectual Property (National)
Litigation - Labor & Employment (National)
Litigation - Real Estate (National – Tier One)
Mergers & Acquisitions Law (National)
Private Funds/Hedge Funds Law (National)
Real Estate Law (National – Tier One)
Securities/Capital Markets Law (National)
Securities Regulation (National)
Tax Law (National)
Trusts & Estates Law (National)
Venture Capital Law (National)
6. Collegiate Sports Experience
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Akerman’s collegiate sports lawyers strive to protect the integrity and brand
of a college or university’s athletic program. Our team of lawyers offer a
breadth of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and National
Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) compliance related services.
With extensive knowledge and experience with NCAA governing rules,
regulations, and procedures, Akerman provides our college and university
clients with representation through every aspect of the NCAA major and
secondary infractions process. Our team assist with compliance program
reviews and audits to ensure that a college or university has an effective and
robust compliance structure that fulfills its obligations as a NCAA or NAIA
member institution. In addition to colleges and universities, we also represent
athletic conferences and collegiate sports vendors.
Beyond litigation services, Akerman provides rules education and training
programs for compliance coordinators, university counsel, coaches, student-
athletes, faculty athletic representatives, and academic support personnel.
Service Offerings
Advertising and Marketing Agreements
Athletic Business Matters (i.e. Contract Negotiations, Scholarship
Reviews)
Athletic Certification
Athletic Department Investigations
Dispute Resolution
Intellectual Property
Collegiate Sports Licensing and Trademarks
Investigations
Athletic Departments
NCAA rules violations
Student-Athlete Misconduct
Labor and Employment
Licensing Agreements
Litigation
NCAA Accelerating Academic Success Program
NCAA Compliance Related Matters
Compliance Programs
Compliance Reviews/Audits
NCAA Infractions and Appeals (Divisions I, II, and III)
Representation of NCAA member institutions before the NCAA
Committee on Infractions and Infractions Appeal Committee
7. Collegiate Sports Experience
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Working with Athletic Directors and legal counsel in responding to
NCAA rules violations and preparing them for NCAA Infractions
and Appeals hearings
Responding to NCAA Notice of Allegations
Writing and presenting appeals to infraction committees
Organizational Issues
Student-Athlete Eligibility and Waivers
Television and Broadcasting Agreements
Title IX and Gender Equity
Provide educations on Title IX compliance to college and university
administration
Conduct Title IX compliance assessments and audits
8. Sports Experience
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Akerman has one of the few teams in the U.S. with experience buying,
selling, and financing professional sports franchises in most professional
sports leagues, including managing all intellectual property issues. In
addition, we have extensive experience protecting sports intellectual
property, trademarks and copyrights.
Akerman assists all segments of the entertainment industry, serving
production and distribution clients operating in the fields of music, television
and film. We also represent recording artists, groups, producers and
production companies.
Practice Highlights
General counsel to the Miami Dolphins and the Florida Panthers, as well
as numerous professional sports facilities, including SunLife Stadium
(home of the Miami Dolphins), the BankAtlantic Center (home of the
Florida Panthers)
Experience with the National Football League, Major League Baseball,
the National Hockey League, the National Association of Professional
Baseball Leagues (minor league baseball), NASCAR, the American
Hockey League, and the Canadian Football League
Experience representing applicants for expansion franchises offered by
the National Football League, the National Hockey League and Major
League Baseball
Extensive experience advising clients on the selection, registration, and
protection of trademarks and copyright
Representation of Municipal and County government bodies in the
construction, financing and development of professional sports facilities,
facility operating agreements, non-relocation agreements and venue
licenses
Service Offerings
Serve as business representatives and contract advisors to:
Professional Sports Teams and Leagues
Sports Venues and Facilities
Sponsors and Advertisers
Broadcasters
Municipal and County Governments
Talent
9. Sports Experience
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Networks
U.S. Federal, State and Local Tax Advice
Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Negotiating of financing transactions including loan and credit facilities
and facility brands
Sponsorship and advertising agreement preparation and negotiation
Preparation and negotiation of broadcast radio and television
agreements, network affiliation agreements, talent and production
agreements
Preparation and negotiation of food and beverage concession
agreements, merchandise concession agreements and internet sales
fulfillment agreements
Preparation and negotiation of sports team logos and licenses and
facility use agreements
preparation and negotiation of naming rights agreements, exclusive
vendor relationships, pourage agreements and exclusive sponsor and
advertiser agreements
Review and negotiate league content agreements, franchise
agreements and other league relations
Preparation and negotiation of ownership entity governing documents
and ownership relations
Real estate purchase, zoning, construction and development advice for
sports facilities
11. LaKeisha C. Marsh
Partner
71 South Wacker Drive
46th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
Tel: 312.634.5700
Fax: 312.424.1900
lakeisha.marsh@akerman.com
LaKeisha Marsh focuses her practice on the higher education industry,
representing various institutions including colleges and universities on a full
range of topics including federal and state regulatory compliance,
accreditation, state licensure, distance education programs, institutional
governance, and collegiate sports and NCAA compliance-related matters.
She regularly advises clients on matters including student discipline, student
accommodations, Title IX compliance including complaints and investigations,
FERPA, Clery Act and the Program Integrity regulations. She brings vast
working experience and knowledge of the laws, regulations and informal
guidance that together govern institutional participation in the programs of
student financial assistance under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
She has managed all facets of student litigation, representing an institution
when dealing with the Department of Education, Title IV program reviews, and
federal and state cases.
She has experience representing educational institutions with respect to the
structuring and execution of a broad range of transactional, restructuring,
finance, and corporate governance matters. In addition, in her previous role at
an entrepreneurial, not-for-profit educational system, LaKeisha managed a
robust legal department with primary focus in the areas of corporate
governance, corporate compliance, corporate transactions, mergers and
acquisitions, and litigation management.
She frequently speaks on higher education topics including Title IX, Clery Act,
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), sexual misconduct and
student-athletes, incentive compensation, and gainful employment. As a
former member of the NCAA staff, in the Academic and Membership Affairs
department (formerly Membership Services), LaKeisha has firsthand
knowledge of the NCAA bylaws and rules for Division I, II, and III athletics. She
has handled NCAA certification, compliance reviews, infractions and appeals,
student-athlete eligibility and waivers, and Title IX matters.
Practices
Government Affairs & Public Policy
Education
J.D., Loyola University Chicago
School of Law, 2005
B.A., Clark Atlanta University, 2000;
Political Science
Bar Admissions
Illinois
12. Areas of Experience
Higher Education Policy & Regulation
Professional Memberships & Activities
• American Bar Association, Member
• National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA), Member
• NCAA Division II Infractions Appeal Committee, Chair
• Posse Foundation, Chicago Leadership Council
• Corporate Counsel Women of Color, Member
Related Professional Experience
• TCS Education System, Associate Vice President & Senior Counsel,
2008-2014
• National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Assistant Director of
Academic & Membership Affairs, 2006-2008
