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    NIL counsel

    An attorney in your corner for the offer in front of you.

    We work with high school recruits, college athletes and their families on NIL, revenue-share and endorsement decisions. You get an attorney’s advice and an attorney’s duties, from the first offer through the season.

    By Drew Jacobs, Esq. — Founder, Jacobs Counsel LLC

    Last reviewed:

    Complimentary intake with Jamee or a paid attorney strategy session with Drew.

    Who this is for

    • A recruit with offers and a deadline
    • A college athlete with a revenue-share, NIL or endorsement agreement
    • A family that wants an attorney involved before anything is signed

    Three ways to work with us

    01

    Contract Review

    An attorney reviews the NIL, revenue-share or endorsement agreement, explains the terms in plain English and identifies the points worth pushing on. Defined reviews can be a flat fee.

    02

    Offer Strategy

    For a recruit with offers and a decision date. We help you get the offer in writing, with a term sheet first if that is the faster path, join calls with the school or collective as your attorney when you want us there, and build a plan to reach the decision date with protections in place. A defined scope, usually a flat fee.

    03

    Ongoing Counsel for the Family

    Through the season or the year. A decision process the family owns, a seat in the money conversations, help interviewing and choosing other advisors, periodic checks on whether commitments were kept, and an annual review. Usually a monthly or seasonal retainer.

    Attorneys, agents and who does what

    Agents find and negotiate marketing opportunities and are typically paid a share of the deals they bring in. Attorneys advise on your legal rights, review and negotiate terms, and owe you duties of confidentiality and loyalty. Many athletes work with both. Our role is counsel, we put it in writing, and if you want an agent we can help you interview and choose one.

    NIL agent vs. NIL attorney: who does what

    Your legal team

    Athletes, now attorneys

    Athletic experience informs the conversation. Your matter is still staffed according to its legal needs, jurisdiction, scope and availability.

    Explore our sports and entertainment practice
    Andrew (Drew) Jacobs, Esq., founder of Jacobs Counsel LLC
    Drew Jacobs

    Founder & Managing Attorney

    Drew played Division I basketball at Boston College and advises athletes and businesses on contracts, brands and commercial matters. He is admitted in New York, New Jersey and Ohio.

    Caitlin Hannibal, Of Counsel at Jacobs Counsel
    Caitlin Hannibal

    Of Counsel

    Caitlin boxed as an amateur and professional before practicing law. Her experience includes Orrick, Cadwalader and in-house work at iN DEMAND. She is admitted in New York and is a WNBPA Certified Player Agent.

    Fees

    Fees fit the engagement. A defined review or a strategy engagement through a decision date can be a flat fee. Ongoing counsel is usually a monthly or seasonal retainer. We propose the structure that fits your situation and put scope, staffing and fees in writing before work starts.

    How we start

    1. 01

      Share a brief overview

      Tell us your role, the agreement or issue, and any deadline.

    2. 02

      Confirm fit and responsibility

      We address conflicts, matter fit, the responsible attorney and the jurisdictions involved.

    3. 03

      Put the work in writing

      The scope, fees, staffing and agreed legal work are set out in a written engagement agreement.

    Many recruits are minors, so before work begins we confirm who the client is and who can instruct us.

    Questions from athletes and families

    Do I need an agent or a lawyer?

    It depends on what you need. Agents find and negotiate marketing opportunities, while attorneys advise on your legal rights and review and negotiate terms. Many athletes have both, and anything you sign deserves legal review.

    Can you review a revenue-share offer before signing day?

    Yes, once we have confirmed fit, conflicts and the engagement. Tell us the deadline when you first reach out so the scope and timing of the review can be agreed around it.

    How do we get a verbal offer in writing?

    Ask for it in writing before you rely on it. If the full contract is slow to arrive, ask for a term sheet first. We can make the request as your attorney.

    Can you join calls with the school or collective?

    Yes, as your attorney, when you want us there. We confirm in advance what is appropriate for your state and school.

    Who is the client, the athlete or the parents?

    The athlete is the client. Parents often help gather information and join calls. Who can instruct us and any potential conflicts are addressed in the engagement agreement.

    How are fees set?

    Fees fit the engagement. A defined review or a strategy engagement through a decision date can be a flat fee. Ongoing counsel is usually a monthly or seasonal retainer. We propose the structure that fits your situation and put scope, staffing and fees in writing before work starts.

    Athlete guide

    Read up before the conversation

    The NIL and Revenue Sharing Guide covers school payments, outside deals and contract questions.

    🏆

    NIL and Revenue Sharing Guide

    Understand school payments, outside NIL deals and the contract questions that affect an athlete’s earnings.

    Have an offer or a deadline?

    Choose a complimentary fit-and-intake call with Jamee or a paid attorney strategy session with Drew.

    Prospective client disclaimer: contacting Jacobs Counsel or booking a call does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send confidential information until representation is confirmed in writing.