ATTORNEYS
The below list of lawyers is provided as a courtesy. The lawyers on this list have asserted that they have represented athletes in disputes involving team selection/opportunity to participate, anti-doping, or SafeSport within the Olympic and Paralympic movements, and have committed to participating in the Athlete Legal Aid Program by providing pro bono services to eligible elite athletes. More information on the program can be found on the Athlete Legal Aid Program page.
They also have made themselves available to discuss representation of any athlete, coach, referee or official in sport-related matters, apart from the Athlete Legal Aid Program. If an athlete needs legal representation for matters outside the scope of the experience listed below, the Office of the Athlete Ombuds may be able to assist in identifying an attorney that asserts to having relevant experience.
The areas of experience and summary of work offered below are as the lawyers have asserted and described in their own words. Neither the Office of the Athlete Ombuds nor the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee have conducted any investigation of the qualifications, credentials, ethical conduct, quality, or abilities of the lawyers appearing on this list. Further, a lawyer’s inclusion on this list does not in any manner, directly or indirectly, constitute a guarantee, warranty or verification of their qualifications, credentials, ethical conduct, quality, abilities, or conduct toward you.
Athletes should always take care to select a lawyer who is competent to handle the issue at hand, as well as communicative, trustworthy, available and free from conflicts of interest. Athletes can better understand a lawyers professional duties in representing them, including potential conflicts of interest, by accessing the Model Rules of Professional Conduct for lawyers and the rules of professional conduct for lawyers in the state in which their lawyer is licensed.
| Contact Information *Note: Attorneys are listed in alphabetical order by last name |
Areas of Sport Experience | Other Areas of Experience | Attorney's Summary of Their Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katy Freeman Law Offices of Howard L. Jacobs 800-854-0583 katy.freeman@athleteslawyer.com www.athleteslawyer.com |
Anti-Doping SafeSport Team Selection/Opportunity to Participate |
Commercial Criminal Disability Gender equity Sponsorship |
With three years of experience working with Olympic and Paralympic athletes in matters related to anti-doping, SafeSport, and Section 9 disputes, Katy is prepared to serve less fortunate athletes. |
| Paul J. Greene Global Sports Advocates, LLC 207-747-5899 pgreene@globalsportsadvocates.com www.globalsportsadvocates.com |
Anti-Doping SafeSport Team Selection/Opportunity to Participate |
Commercial Discrimination Gender equity Immigration Sponsorship |
Global Sports Advocates is devoted to the protection of athletes’ rights and the management of crisis situations on behalf of athletes and coaches faced with career-ending sanctions. GSA is proud of its successful track record earned over many years. |
| Howard Jacobs Law Offices of Howard L. Jacobs 805-418-9892 howard.jacobs@athleteslawyer.com www.athleteslawyer.com |
Anti-Doping SafeSport Team Selection/Opportunity to Participate |
Commercial Sponsorship |
Howard Jacobs has represented more athletes and coaches in disciplinary cases than any lawyer, consistently achieving excellent results for his clients over the last 20 years. He is available to anyone whose career depends on the best representation. |
| Matthew D. Kaiser Global Sports Advocates, LLC 207-747-5899 mkaiser@globalsportsadvocates.com www.globalsportsadvocates.com |
Anti-Doping Team Selection/Opportunity to Participate Compliance SafeSport |
Sponsorship Commercial issues |
Matthew has prevailed as lead counsel in numerous cases before the world’s most prestigious sports tribunals, including the Court of Arbitration for Sport. He has been involved in such diverse matters as anti-doping, eligibility and SafeSport. |
|
Jill Pilgrim |
Team Selection/Opportunity to Participate Compliance SafeSport |
Sponsorship Commercial issues Discrimination |
Jill Pilgrim is a former athlete and the managing attorney of Pilgrim & Associates Arbitration, Law & Mediation LLC. This background placed her in the unique position to recognize that athletes needed representation in disputes with sport governing. |
| Carla Varriale-Barker Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney, LTD 917-597-8820 www.smsm.com |
SafeSport |
Commercial |
Ms. Varriale-Barker practices tort (bullying, sexual misconduct), discrimination and contract law. She has represented athletes in SafeSport matters. She is an advocate for the rights of LGTBQ athletes. She teaches Sports Law & Ethics at Columbia University. |
|
Jared P. Vasiliauskas |
Anti-doping SafeSport |
Commercial Sponsorship MLBPA Expert Agent Advisory |
Mr. Vasiliauskas has represented athletes, coaches and agents in a variety of matters including arbitration hearings and contract negotiations. He is certified by the MLBPA as an Expert Agent Advisor and worked with agents in all sports to assist in legal matters. |
Disclaimer: Please note that advice from any member of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds, including but not limited to information provided on this website, does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. The Athlete Ombuds will offer neutral, independent advice to any athlete, and athletes should always seek legal counsel if they want specific legal advice or individual representation. See our homepage for our full disclaimer.
