For the first time, student-athletes can earn money from endorsements, sponsorships, and other opportunities tied to their personal brand. While this presents an incredible opportunity for young athletes, it also brings new responsibilities and legal challenges. To maximize their earning potential and protect their rights, athletes must build a strong support team early—starting in high school.

Once athletes turn 18, they gain legal independence, which makes certain legal documents indispensable, such as appointing their own powers of attorney.

For anyone who has spent years building wealth and securing a future for their family, failing to take the simple steps of Estate Planning needed to protect those efforts is a mistake that can have lasting consequences.

Your attorney is not just a legal expert but a person with a specific set of skills, experiences, and perspectives. To ensure a successful partnership, you need to align your values, goals, and approach with the firm or individual attorney you choose to work with.

Once your trademark is registered, it’s up to you to monitor and protect it. Without enforcement, your trademark risks losing its exclusivity and value.

One of the most important questions businesses face is whether they should trademark their intellectual property. The decision often comes down to assessing the uniqueness of the IP and the scope of protection the business requires.

Our goal at Jacobs Counsel was to create a different experience, one that provides real value without the unnecessary overhead of a large law firm.

Geolocation technology allows gaming operators to pinpoint the location of a user attempting to access their platform. This is particularly important in the U.S., where gambling laws differ significantly across state lines.

The skill-based gaming industry in the United States operates in a complex and fragmented legal landscape. Gaming operators must navigate a web of state-level regulations to determine whether their game can legally operate in the U.S. market.

One of the biggest mistakes individuals and businesses make is signing agreements or entering legal arrangements without fully understanding the implications. Rushing into a deal for immediate gain, or skipping the step of hiring professional advisors, can lead to significant problems in the future.

One of the most common pitfalls for athletes entering NIL agreements is failing to understand their tax obligations. When athletes sign six-figure contracts, they’re not just receiving income—they’re also incurring tax liabilities. Without proper guidance, this can quickly become a serious problem.

Athletes must be cautious about how they leverage their NIL rights, ensuring they’re not sacrificing long-term potential for short-term financial gain.

Predatory behavior, disguised as support, is a real concern, especially for young people who may not yet have the experience to discern between genuine advisors and those seeking to exploit them.

The evolution of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights has transformed athletes into individual business entities with significant value. While this presents exciting opportunities, it also exposes athletes to a wave of predatory contracts and agreements that may not align with their best interests. Now more than ever, athletes must recognize the importance of building a team of advisors, including attorneys, to protect their rights and ensure their long-term success.

Playing at a competitive level taught me invaluable lessons—discipline, resilience, teamwork, and the importance of showing up, no matter the challenge. These experiences have directly translated into my approach as an attorney, enabling me to serve clients with the same commitment and determination that I brought to the court.