On February 21st, four Harvard Law School students – Michael McGregor ’15, Daniel McMann ’14, Daniel Loveland ’14, and Russell Yavner ’14 – were honored with the Weiler Awards presented at the Committee on Sports and Entertainment Law’s 2014 Symposium. The Awards are presented annually to eligible students who have participated in the HLS Sports and Entertainment Law Courses, in the Committee on Sports and Entertainment Law and the Journal on Sports and Entertainment Law activities, as well as clinical placements through the Sport Law Clinic.
The Weiler Scholar Award, presented in honor of Professor Emeritus Paul C. Weiler was given to Daniel McMann and Daniel Loveland.
“I am honored and humbled by this award and by the nomination from Professor Paul Weiler and Professor Peter Carfagna. Working with Coach Jerry Forton of the Harvard Crimson men’s hockey team as part of the Sports Law Clinic was a highlight of my time at HLS” said Daniel McMann.
“The clinic was a great combination of work and play as it allowed me to connect my classroom training and legal skills with one of my favorite past-times, hockey, through close examination of current amateurism and eligibility issues of college sports. Professor Weiler and his family, Professor Carfagna, and all the incredible HLS Alums who contributed to endow these awards are the heroes here; their support for the study of sport law and the students of Harvard Law School cannot be thanked enough” he said.
Daniel Loveland ’14, who also expressed his gratitude enrolled in Professor Carfagna’s Sports and Law course as a 2L student and subsequently worked for the Philadelphia Eagles through the Sports Law Clinic.
“It is a fantastic opportunity that we have at Harvard to dive into the Sports industry through both course and clinical work. I was able to benefit from Professor Carfagna and Professor Weiler’s dedication to students in creating such a tremendous program” he said.
After graduation, Dan will clerk for Judge Raymond Gruender of the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
The Weiler Writing Prize was given to Michael McGregor and Russell Yavner.
“I am privileged and honored to be one of this year’s recipients of the Weiler Writing Prize” said Michael who has a passion for writing and a great interest in Ambush Marketing and Intellectual Property. “It has been refreshing and rewarding to garner the approval and respect of Professor Carfagna and the Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law” he said.
Speaking about his experience with the Sports Law Clinic, Michael said “the clinic has not only given me the opportunity to foster a professional relationship with America’s premier sports league [The National Football League] but it has also given me great insight into both how a sports league operates and the variety of complex issues that lawyers in this exciting field of law encounter.”
Russell Yavner who worked with the attorneys for the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center was also thrilled and honored to win the Writing Prize. He said “I am grateful to Professor Carfagna for his guidance, encouragement and friendship. I have been very fortunate to participate extensively in HLS’s Sports Law Clinic, where I have worked with attorneys who are a true all-star legal team and who have taught me how to negotiate a deal, draft a contract and litigate a claim.”
The theme for this year’s symposium was on social media and the intersection of business and law. Following the Weiler Awards, Harvard Law School Alumnus and WWE wrestler, David Otunga, gave the keynote speech. Professor Paul C. Weiler, who retired in 2008 after 26 years of teaching at HLS, also made an appearance and was greeted by enthusiastic applause.
This post originally appeared on the Clinical and Pro Bono Programs website.
The Harvard Law School Committee on Sports & Entertainment Law (CSEL) hosted its annual Symposium on Friday, February 21st. This year’s event covered both the Sports and Entertainment fields, and featured numerous top executives from both fields. David Otunga was the keynote speaker, who led the Symposium with an inspiring speech on his unusual career path as a WWE Superstar, attorney, actor and bodybuilder.