Delivering high-quality legal services in diverse areas of sports law: Neufeld, O'Leary & Giusto

The Silicon Review

Sports are a consistent backdrop to most of our lives. The sheer popularity of sports mean that a number of potential issues can arise from it. This is why sports law is an area that can no longer be overlooked. Sports law ensures that players are given equal opportunities to participate in the particular field they choose. Globally there are various skilled law firms that provide excellent services with respect to sports law, among them, Neufeld, O'Leary & Giusto stand out. Neufeld, O'Leary & Giusto is an established firm with a respected track record. Its team of attorneys has long track records of counseling clients to address a wide range of matters, both personal and commercial. The firm prides itself on utilizing a well-reasoned, efficient and creative approach to the practice of law in order to satisfy its clients.

Neufeld, O'Leary & Giusto’s diverse practice areas include estate and trust planning, administration, and litigation; federal and state litigation of civil and commercial disputes; real property transactions; zoning and land use matters; formation and representation of business organizations and transportation companies; representation of professional athletes and agents, and providing services to other law firms.

Sports Law

The practice of sports law can touch upon a wide variety of practice areas, including labor and employment, contracts, insurance, and regulatory matters and is well-suited to Neufeld, O'Leary & Giusto’s diverse practice. The firm has extensive experience representing high-profile professional athletes, coaches and player agents in various legal and endorsement matters. Working with high-profile clients, including athletes, coaches and agents also require Neufeld, O'Leary & Giusto’s attorneys to meet uncommon challenges as a result of the high level of public and media interest, the demanding schedules and strong privacy concerns of their clients and the often restrictive rules and internal procedures established by the professional sports leagues.

Representing Athletes

A primary focus of Neufeld, O'Leary & Giusto’s sports law practice is the representation of professional athletes accused of violating league substance abuse and performance-enhancing drug policies, including both National Football League and Major League Baseball policies. These matters are particularly challenging given the often short timeframe established to challenge alleged violations as well as strict procedures which may restrict both the available challenges to discipline and the ability to access key information. The firm’s approach in handling these matters includes collaborating with representatives of the players’ unions and consulting with qualified experts including medical professionals, toxicologists and others. Neufeld, O'Leary & Giusto’s New York-based sports lawyers work to establish a broad understanding of its clients and their particular circumstances, which allows it to craft unique approaches and pursue novel theories to successfully defend and protect the rights of its clients. Neufeld, O'Leary & Giusto understand that, given the relatively short length of many athletes’ professional careers, missed games can be a most damaging and frustrating outcome. The firm has resolved many matters by negotiating favorable settlements which avoid or minimize the client’s absence from the field.

Neufeld, O'Leary & Giusto has also represented players in litigation to enforce and protect their rights, including in an insurance dispute which, after a month-long jury trial, resulted in a multi-million dollar award against an insurance company and in favor of a player who was unable to complete his contract because of an injury.

Representing Agents

Neufeld, O'Leary & Giusto’s New York sports law attorneys have also represented prominent football and hockey player agents in federal and state litigation, arbitrations, and internal disciplinary matters and in connection with investigations based on state registration. Among the challenges which the firm has successfully addressed are disputes relating to collaborations between agents and others located internationally, which pose novel procedural hurdles related to jurisdiction and discovery; substantive issues of obtaining and preserving evidence, and the risk of potential difficulties in enforcing a judgment against an international defendant. Neufeld, O'Leary & Giusto have also assisted the estate of a prominent NFL agent to collect nearly all of the commissions owed on contracts negotiated during the agent’s lifetime, utilizing a combination of communications with athlete’s advisors, utilizing the NFLPA’s grievance procedures, and via federal and state court proceedings. Its sports law clients value the firm’s insight, discretion, and wide-ranging areas of practice expertise, and have also retained it to represent them in transactional and other matters both related and unrelated to their profession, including the negotiation of endorsement deals, real estate matters, business investments, and others.

Meet the leaders behind the success of Neufeld, O'Leary & Giusto

David S.J. Neufeld, Partner is one of the founding partners of Neufeld, O’Leary & Giusto and a recipient of the nationally recognized AV Preeminent Peer Review rating based on his legal ability and ethical standards.

Denis P. O’Leary, Partner is a founding and managing partner of Neufeld, O’Leary & Giusto. Since his admission to the New York State Bar in 1986, Denis has been involved in a wide array of matters.

Michael J. Giusto, Partner has spent fifteen-plus years developing the skills, experience and temperament to help guide individuals through estate and trust matters the process. His practice spans all areas of estate and trust matters, from estate planning through administration and estate and trust litigation. He can help you answer these and many other questions.