Kyle D. Stroup | Kohrman Jackson & Krantz LLP

Kyle Stroup is an accomplished attorney who advises businesses and individuals to achieve their goals through strategic legal guidance and execution. As a vital member of KJK’s eCommerce, Litigation & Arbitration, and Esports, Media & Entertainment practice groups, Kyle leverages his experiences to provide tailored solutions for clients navigating complex legal landscapes.

A skilled eCommerce attorney, Kyle often represents brands in legal disputes against unauthorized resellers, employing a blend of litigation and internal policies to efficiently combat infringement and protect the brand’s reputation. Drawing from his experience in esports and brand protection, Kyle works with gamers to successfully safeguard their brand and maintain their reputations.

Kyle earned a Bachelor of Science in finance from Pennsylvania State University and a Juris Doctorate from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, where he graduated summa cum laude and served as Submissions Editor for the Cleveland State Law Review. Kyle also played integral roles in the Entertainment and Sports Law Association during law school and then went on to coach its 2023 Tulane International Baseball Arbitration Competition team to a top-16 finish.

Prior to KJK, Kyle clerked at a mid-sized law firm in Cleveland and externed with the Honorable Judge David A. Ruiz, United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

When he’s not practicing law, Kyle is an avid gamer and golfer. He also enjoys spending time outside with his dogs.

Connor Richards | Odin Law and Media

Connor Richards is an attorney at Odin Law and Media, where he provides legal services to video game developers, publishers, content creators, and esports professionals. Connor’s regular practice includes everything from intellectual property development and protection, to negotiating player contracts with esports organizations, to assisting players and content creators with sponsorship agreements.

The esports and video game worlds are near and dear to Connor’s heart. Connor grew up a gamer, and more recently became interested in esports. To this day, Connor competes in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournaments and actively participates in Esports Bar Association events. He has authored articles on video game legal issues and featured on various podcasts discussing the esports world.

Paige M. Rabatin | Brennan, Manna & Diamond

Paige Rabatin is a Partner at the law firm Brennan Manna Diamond in Cleveland, Ohio. Paige practices in her firm’s Corporate, Real Estate, and Media & Entertainment groups. Paige is experienced in business and real estate transactions as well as representing clients in the athletic and entertainment fields. She offers assistance beyond the traditional legal role and advises clients through their endeavors in sports, entertainment, and real estate. Paige provides insight regarding live events, organization rebrands, and business modeling to add value to each client’s projects. By utilizing those skills, and her specialized knowledge in the athletic, esports, and entertainment fields, she is able to represent professional athletes and owners of esports ventures within the fast-growing industry. Paige is a valuable asset for her clients with deep knowledge and experience within her areas of practice. Paige also harnesses this knowledge to teach the Global Business of Esports class at the University of Akron.

Scott Norcross | Brennan, Manna & Diamond

Scott Norcross is a Member at the law firm Brennan Manna Diamond in Cleveland, Ohio. With more than two decades of experience. Scott is your go-to legal expert for all things business, esports, gaming, and traditional sports, including player representation. He excels in a wide array of legal services, from entity formation to contract drafting and review, ensuring his clients’ interests are safeguarded throughout. In the esports arena, Scott shines as a trusted advisor, facilitating deals that maximize opportunities within this rapidly expanding industry. He deftly handles negotiations with vendors, sponsors, and leagues, positioning his clients for success. Scott’s expertise extends to sports real estate, where he assists developers, landowners, and tenants in navigating complex transactions tailored to the sports industry.

Genie Doi | Avocet Law & ESG Law

Genie Doi is the Founder and Managing Attorney at Avocet Law. She also serves as Of Counsel to ESG Law, where she leads the immigration department at the world’s only dedicated esports law firm. She holds a B.S. in International Relations from UCLA and a J.D. with a concentration in Immigrant Advocacy from Loyola Law School.

As an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Japanese American Bar Association, and the Esports Bar Association, Genie frequently speaks on O-1 and P-1 visa issues nationwide. She provides fast, responsive, and results-driven immigration counsel to companies and professionals in the esports teams, talent, and institutions.

She has been recognized as 2020 Sports Immigration Lawyer of the Year, Top 40 Under 40 for immigration law by the American Academy of Attorneys, an Immigration Law Rising Star by the American Institute of Legal Advocates, and a SuperLawyers Rising Star. Genie has represented clients from 14 countries across 6 continents and has been quoted in The New York Times, Engadget, and ESPN. She speaks Japanese, Korean, and Spanish in addition to native English. In her free time, Genie enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and playing video games on the long flights between Los Angeles and Osaka, Japan.

Session I – Esports in the Corporate Arena: Key Legal Insights for Players, Teams & Businesses | 1:00pm – 2:00pm

• Understanding Esports
  • Competitive video gaming as an esport
  • Esports compared to traditional big 4 (MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL) sports leagues
  • Stakeholder breakdown in the industry
• Business Considerations for Players and Teams
  • Corporate structure options on a team level
  • Player considerations from a business perspective
  • Benefits and usages and rights and responsibilities under the
  • Ensuring compliance with the federal Corporate Transparency Act as well as the upcoming New York state Corporate Transparency Act
• Social Media and Digital Marketing from a Legal Aspect
  • Endorsements
  • Social media disclosures
  • Legal pitfalls esports players and teams that should be taken into consideration
• Breaking Down Copyrights in Esports
  • What does a copyright entail?
  • Esports copyright inclusions
  • Rights an owner has in relation to Esports copyrighted material
  • Complications that can arise

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

Session II – Legal Challenges in Esports: Player Rights, IP Considerations and Contractual Agreements | 2:10pm – 3:10pm

• The Role of Legal Professionals in Esports
  • The essential role attorneys and legal professionals play in shaping the esports industry, including providing legal guidance to players, teams, and organizations.
  • Emphasis on the specific responsibilities of esports attorneys, such as protecting player rights, enforcing fair contracts, and ensuring compliance with labor and employment laws
  • Focus on emerging issues, such as player welfare, diversity, and inclusion within teams and organizations, and how legal professionals are working to establish industry standards for fair and inclusive practices
• Intellectual Property Considerations
  • Intellectual property law in esports
  • Digital contracts and smart contracts
• Contractual Agreements in Esports
  • Contractual terms in esports player and sponsorship/endorsement agreements

Break | 3:10pm – 3:20pm

Session III – Harnessing Esports and its Popularity: Where is the Money at? | 3:20pm – 4:20pm

• State of Esports
  • State of the union for esports
  • Comparing esports investment with previous tech trends
• Financing Esports Ventures
  • Strategies for capital structures and navigating issues in facility development
  • Expense considerations and their effects
  • Capital sources and IPO decisions
  • Pairing authentic gamers with professional investors: the hardships and benefits
• Esports from Every Perspective
  • Intersection of game developers and esports
  • Key contract considerations depending on the client
  • Esports in education

Break | 4:20pm – 4:30pm

Session IV – The Intersection of Esports and Immigration | 4:30pm – 5:30pm

• Understanding Esports in the Context of Immigration
  • How esports qualifies as a professional sports industry for immigration purposes
  • Challenges in distinguishing between professional and amateur status for visas
  • Understanding the legal status of international tournaments and events
• Visa Needs for Esports Professionals
  • Short-term vs. long-term visa needs for players, coaches, and staff
  • Understanding key visa categories
• Compliance and Employer Obligations
  • Employer obligations and compliance requirements for esports organizations
  • Managing changes in immigration status
• Strategies for Navigating Immigration Scenarios
  • Handling urgent travel needs
  • Transitioning from temporary visas to permanent residency
  • Effective communication with U.S. immigration authorities
• Investor and Executive Visas in Esports
• Special Considerations for Influencers and Content Creators