CENTER FOR ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Students in the "Legal Life of..." courses learn contract negotiation by examining pivotal moments in a different celebrity's career every fall semester.
Located in the heart of Atlanta's music, television sports and film scene, Georgia State University College of Law is minutes from State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Fox Theater, and the College Football Hall of Fame. The College of Law is home to the Center for Entertainment, Sports & Intellectual Property Law—an incubator for students to discover pathways to cultivate their expertise and forge connections essential for thriving careers in specialized practice areas including entertainment, sports and intellectual property law. The Center boasts two distinguished certificate programs: the Entertainment and Sports Law Certificate and the Intellectual Property Law Certificate, offering students a robust foundation to excel in their chosen field.
Students can participate in traditional and experiential learning avenues. From immersive courses to workshops, externships and exclusive events, the Center fosters an environment primed for growth and exploration. Students can join prestigious legal competitions, including the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) National Patent Application Drafting Competition, where COL students were victorious in both 2021 and 2022)—to esteemed events like the University of Miami's Art of the Sneaker Deal Competition and Arizona State University College of Law's NBA Mock Draft Negotiation Competition.
Students can access internship opportunities to hone their legal skills in real-world settings across a spectrum of industries, from professional sports teams to record labels, television studios and specialized law firms. The crown jewel of the Center's curriculum is the "The Legal Life of..." series, taught by Professor Mo Ivory. This popular course dives into celebrity case studies, offering students an insider’s view into the complexities of representing top-tier talent. Garnering national acclaim, the series recently captured the spotlight on NBC's Today Show, as Professor Ivory unveiled plans for students enrolled in "The Legal Life of the Olympic Games" to travel to Paris, France in July 2024, to experience the global spectacle firsthand.
200+
ESML courses since 2018
500+
ESML events since 2018
16
Entertainment & Sports Law Certificate
The Entertainment & Sports Law Certificate allows currently enrolled J.D. students to specialize in entertainment law. The certificate is a part of the College of Law’s Center for Entertainment, Sports & Intellectual Property. The goal of the program is to help law students grow into competent entertainment attorneys.
Intellectual Property Law Certificate
The Certificate in Intellectual Property (IP) Law gives students the skills necessary to thrive in the rapidly changing world of creations of the mind. Students will learn about legal issues and challenges involving intellectual property in biotechnology, computer science, media, sports and the arts.
Past Events
The initiative kicked off in 2018 with an event featuring Rapper Ludacris; Rick McCay, president of the Atlanta Falcons; Tom Luse, executive producer of “The Walking Dead”; Todd Harris, founder of Hi-Rez Studios; and Radio Host Frank Ski. A second event highlighted stadium development and acquisition featuring attorneys and business professionals from the Atlanta Hawks, Arthur M. Blank Entertainment & Sports, King & Spalding Law Firm and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.
Legal Basics for Entertainers, Athletes and Other Creatives
Marjorie and Ralph Knowles Conference Center
October 13, 2018
- Am I a Corporation, LLC or Partnership? How to Set Up Your Entertainment Business
Lee Morin, Esq. - Don’t Sign That Contract! Important Contract Provisions You Need to Know and Understand
Amy Oraefo, Of Counsel, Taylor English Duma, LLP - The Importance of Understanding the Business and Legal Basics of Your Brand
Todd Harris Founder, Hi-Rez Studios
Ludacris, Artist
Tom Luse, Executive Producer, Walking Dead
Rich McKay, President, Atlanta, Falcons
Frank Ski, Host, V-103FM - They Stole My Idea! My Song! My Film! Protecting Your Intellectual Property
Steve Weizenecker, Esq. - How Do I Keep Up? Legal Implications of Emerging Technologies in Entertainment, Sports and Media
Robert Finan, Esq.
Atlanta Sports Explosion: The Business & Legal Impact
Marjorie and Ralph Knowles Conference Center
April 12, 2019
- Sports and Real Estate: Stadium Acquisition, Renovation and the Legal Implications of Public-Private Partnerships
Bharath Parthasarathy, Esq., Deputy General Counsel, Georgia State University
Douglass P. Selby, Esq., Partner, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Thad Sheely, Chief Operating Officer, Atlanta Hawks - The Growth of eSports in Atlanta: Negotiating Team, Player Rights & Competition
Robin Dunson, Esq., Asst. General Counsel, Cox Enterprises Overwatch League
Nathaniel Blair, Esq., General Counsel, Hi-Rez Studios
Eric Schroeder, Esq., Partner, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
David Schulman, Esq., Partner, Greenberg Traurig - Super Bowl LIII: An Overview of the Complex Legal and Business Issues Facing the City of Atlanta
Justin King, Esq., Partner, King & Spalding
Jon Keen, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, City of Atlanta
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (J.D. '94), City of Atlanta
Nick Brown, Esq., Legal Counsel, AMB Sports and Entertainment
Intellectual Property Essentials for Creatives: It's All About Content
Marjorie and Ralph Knowles Conference Center
November 16, 2019
- Intellectual Property Basic for Creatives: Protecting Your Ideas and Content
Moderator: Mo Ivory, Esq.
Presenter: Yaniv Heled, Esq., GSUCOL Center for Intellectual Property Law - Counseling Clients: Live Legal Q&A for Creatives
Presenter: Georgia Volunteer Lawyer for the Arts - Is Atlanta a Content Hub or Just a Production Venue?
Moderator: Mo Ivory, Esq.
Panelists:
Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Entertainer, Philanthropist, Entrepreneur
Andrew Velcolf, Esq. Greenberg, Traurig, LLP
Sandy Lal, Esq., Entertainment and Intellectual Property Attorney, Entrepreneur
Frank Patterson, President, Pinewood Studios
Phillana Williams, Director, City of Atlanta Office of Film & Entertainment - Key Legal Issues in the Development and Protection of Intellectual Property in Film and TV
Moderator: Lee Morin, Esq., Morin Entertainment Law, LLC
Panelists:
Larry Sheffield, Esq., Agency for Performing Arts & Lecturer, USC
Peter Duitsman, Esq., Production Counsel, Turner Broadcasting
Frank Patterson, President of Pinewood Studios
Tom Luse, Film/TV Producer - Writing, Creating and Licensing Music in Today’s Digital World
Moderator: Leron Rogers, Esq., Lewis Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith, LLP
Panelists:
Bernie Lawrence-Watkins, Esq., B. Lawrence Watkins Associates, PC
Kendall Minter, Partner, Taylor, English & Duma
Jason Reddick Associate Director, ASCAP
Bryan Calhoun Director, Pandora - Content and Emerging Technology
Moderator: Candice Alger, CMII Professor of Practice, AR/VR Virtual Production
Panelists:
David Schulman, Esq. Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Sandy Lai, Esq.
John Rich, Moxie, Futurist
Elizabeth Strickler, CMII, Director of Media Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Corporate IP
Georgia State University College of Law hosted the Coporate IP event in the Marjorie and Ralph Knowles Conference Center. Dean LaVonda N. Reed and Professor Mo Ivory provided remarks, and the Intellectual Property Law Society students volunteered to make sure it ran smoothly.
IP, AI and Entertainment
Marjorie and Ralph Knowles Conference Center
October 10, 2023
-
A Deep Dive into AI/IP
Moderator: Kenny Franklin
Panelists:
Scott Frank, Esq., Head of Ga Intellectual Property Alliance (IP and academic research)
Al Thrash, College of the Arts (AI and Music)
Candace Kemp (Gerontology, social behavioral IP space)
Sarah Wilkening (gaps between faculty research and IP) - Legal Implications of AI on Music, Sports & Film
Moderator: Professor Mo Ivory
Panelists:
Hitkidd, Grammy-Nominated Producer (GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion)
Elizabeth Strickler, Director of Media Entrepreneurship, CMII (Film)
Pete Scott, Chief Strategy Advisor, Play Anywhere (Sports)
Bernie Lawrence-Watkins, B. Lawrence Watkins & Associates, P.C. (Music)
Frequently Asked Questions
Center for Entertainment, Sports & Intellectual Property
The certificate requires at least 12 core credits, 6 elective credits for certificate courses, and participation in the Sports and Entertainment Law Society mentoring program. College of Law provides sports and entertainment courses, experiential learning, and special events. Professor Mo Ivory instructs the signature course "The Legal Life of..." series, with semester topics ranging from the “Legal Life of Ludacris” in 2019 and the “Legal Life of Rick Ross” in 2023 to the “Legal Life of the Olympic Games” in 2024.
The certificate requires at least 12 core credits, 6 elective credits, and participation in the Intellectual Property Law Society mentoring program. A student who takes more than the minimum number of required certificate credits may count the highest grades when computing the GPA. In addition to the certificate, students may earn a Master of Laws (LL.M.) with a concentration in IP law.
Faculty members provide dedicated advising, career planning, and access to industry experts. Certificates benefit a law student's resume and help to alert employers to students' exposure to specified practice areas. Other benefits include in-depth instruction to promote student’s resourcefulness and ability to adapt successfully to rapidly changing legal, technological, and international factors facing clients.
Law students may declare as early as the second fall semester. To graduate with a certificate, they must submit a Verification Form for review no later than the end of the Drop/Add period of the last semester prior to graduation. The student’s academic advisor must review and sign the Verification Form.
Yes! The Sports and Entertainment Law Society has matched students with lawyers across the country at Lucasfilm Entertainment, Overtime Elite Sports, Turner Sports, Trilith Studio, Lewis Brisbois law firm, Fox Rothchild law firm, Troutman Pepper law firm, and other exciting legal opportunities.
Yes! The Intellectual Property Law Society has matched students with lawyers across the country at Equifax, IHG Hotels & Resorts, LexisNexis, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, large international law firms, local boutique law firms, and other exciting opportunities.
Yes! SELS hosts multiple general body meetings, panels, and off-campus events every semester. Contact [email protected] with any questions.
Yes! IPLS hosts multiple general body meetings, panels, and off-campus events every semester. Contact [email protected] with any questions.
No.
Students must discuss the independent student with the desired faculty member and request approval from the Registrar’s Office using the Law Registrar Request Form.
Contact Hannah Nodar at [email protected] or Brittany Guyre-Powell at [email protected].
Support the Center
The Center for Entertainment, Sports and Intellectual Property provides students with experiences that wouldn’t be possible without the help of our supporters and sponsors. Your contributions make a difference and support our academic programs and research initiatives. Thank you for your generosity.
Entertainment, Sports & Intellectual Property News
CONTACT
Mo Ivory
Director of the Entertainment, Sports & Intellectual Property
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 4037
Atlanta, GA 30302-4037
Physical Address
85 Park Place NE
Atlanta, GA 30303