UPCOMING EVENTS
2025 Calendar of Events
20
May
BESLA
New York Regional
Perkins Coie Media & Entertainment Event
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
3:30pm-8:00pm
Location:
Perkins Coie
1155 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036-2711
Agenda
Trends in Sports Media Rights
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Shirin Malkani, Moderator, Co-Chair, Sports Industry Group at Perkins Coie LLP
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Keith Clinkscales, Founder & CEO, KTC Ventures, CEO, Shadow League Digital
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Andy Oh, Principal, Sports Partnerships, Amazon Prime Video
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Steve Smith, SVP, Business & Legal Affairs, NBC Sports Group
AI in the Media and Entertainment
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Meeka Bondy, Moderator, Co-Chair, Film & TV Industry Group, Perkins Coie LLP
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Damien Atkins, CLO & GC, Beast Industries
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Nyasha Foy, Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs, Horizon Media
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Lance McPherson, EVP and, DGC, Deputy General Counsel Paramount Global, Showtime
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Lasherelle Morgan, SVP, Legal, AI Innovation & Acceleration, NBCUniversal
29-31
May
BESLA
Mid-Year Conference
Thursday, May 29 - Saturday May 31, 2025
Location:
Georgia State School of Law
Atlanta, GA
Event Details:
May 29th Opening Reception
6:00pm-9:00pm
Location:
Blue Martini Atlanta
3402 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
May 30th Workshops and CLE panels
Fri: 8:30am - 6:00pm
Location:
Georgia State University College of Law
(Knowles Conference Center)
85 Park Pl. NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
May 31st YLD Power Breakfast Fireside Chat: Looking Back to Look Forward
Sat: 9:30am -12pm | Programming starts at 10am
Location: TBA
29 - 02
Oct - Nov
BESLA
45th Annual Conference - ADVANCING THE FOUNDERS' MISSION THROUGH...
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ACHIEVEMENT
-
EMPOWERMENT
-
INNOVATION
OCTOBER 29, 2025 - NOVEMBER 2, 2025
Location:
Wyndham Grand Rio Mar
Rainforest, Beach & Resort
Puerto Rico
Jun
BESLA
LA Regional
June 2025
Location:
Los Angeles, CA
Jul
BESLA
Chicago Regional
July 2025
Location:
Chicago
Aug
BESLA
Martha Vineyard
August 2025
Location:
Martha Vineyard, MA
24
Sep
BESLA
DC Regional
September 24, 2025
Location:
Washington, DC
Past Events
13-17
Nov
BESLA
44th Annual Conference
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Sunday, November 17, 2024
Location:
Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort
San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico
Description:
A Networking Event you don't want to miss!
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Access to top-level industry professionals and new talent at state-side regional events and the annual conference held abroad
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Support and cultivate the next generation of legal professionals through the BESLA Scholarship Program
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Educational panels with some of the industry’s top attorneys and executives that provide the opportunity for you and your team to stay abreast of the evolving landscape of the entertainment, sports and related industries
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Address corporate diversity goals through integrated engagement with BESLA and its membership
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Showcase your organization and top talent, sponsors and panelists
Trailblazer Award
HONOREES
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Mara Brock Akil
Visionary Writer, Producer & Director
Corporate Disruptor Award
Klutch Sports Group
Premier Agency founded by
EO Rich Paul
13
Nov
BESLA
44th Annual Conference 2024 Golf Outing
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
7:40 AM
Location:
Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort
San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico
Registration Details:
Space is limited.
Cost:
$340 per person
$65 Club Rental
*Transportation cost is not included.
*Payment will be taken at a later date.
Register by September 30th if you are interested. First come, first serve.
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21
Oct
BESLA
Announcing the Film Festival 2024
November 13-17, 2024
Location:
Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort
San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico
Submission Details:
Top 4 Winning Films Will Be Screened At BESLA's 2024 Annual Conference.
Film must be submitted by October 21, 2024
1
Oct
BESLA YLD Presents The Art of the Sneaker Deal
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
12pm - 1pm ET / 9am - 10am PT
Location:
Virtual Event
Description:
SNEAKER LAW is the business and legal bible for the over $80 billion global sneaker market. Sneaker law covers a myriad of issues such as reselling, design, counterfeits, the law of sneakers, licensing, collaborations, manufacturing, etc. This encompasses the areas of intellectual property law, sports law, and labor law.
General Registration Details:
Virtual event free to all.
Registration closes 9/30 12pm ET/9am PT
→Registration for this event is now closed!
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27
Sept
BESLA YLD Presents Culture and Conversation with VaynerMedia
Friday, September 27, 2024
4:30pm - 7:00pm ET
Location:
Diageo, 3 World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007
Description:
Join VaynerMedia for a night of networking and connection. A panel of diverse creatives, business executives, legal and business affairs professionals will discuss company culture and what it's like to work in the advertising industry, followed by a networking reception.
General Registration Details:
This event is free to all.
Registration will close when the capacity is met.
Registration is required to attend as space is limited.
→Registration for this event is now closed!
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10
Sep
BESLA CBC Week Reception, Washington, DC
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm ET
Location:
Limani
670 Wharf St SW
Washington, DC, 20024
Fireside Chat:
Frank Hugelmeyer, NMMA President & CEO
General Registration Details:
Open bar and light hors d'oeuvres.
Limited Capacity. Registration will close on Fri. Sept. 6, 11:59pm ET or once capacity is met.
Event Rates:
Complimentary - Members
$50 - Non-Members
$25 - Student Non-Member
12
Aug
BESLA on Martha’s Vineyard
Monday, August 12, 2024 | 7-10pm ET
Location:
Uptown House
7 Dempster Ave, Oak Bluffs, MA
Description:
Discover Boating is hosting Opening Night on the Vineyard in partnership with The Black Entertainers Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA) and UPTOWN Media Group.
*The event has reached capacity and registration is now closed.
23
Jul
BESLA YLD National Black Women in Sports Day
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
11:30am - 12:30pm ET
Zoom link will be sent to confirmed attendees.
Space is limited
Details:
In celebration of National Black Women in Sports Day, created by Diverse Representation's Jaia Thomas, BESLA YLD will host an exclusive virtual fireside chat.
Confirmed attendees will be notified by Monday July 22, 2024.
Law students and junior attorneys should rsvp with their full name, law school, and year of graduation at beslayld@besla.org. Space is limited. Registration closes once the guestlist is full or on Monday, July 22 at 9am, whichever occurs first.
18
Jul
BESLA
Chicago 2024 Regional Event
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Location:
The Bridgeport Art Center
1200 W 35th St., Chicago, IL 60609
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06
Jul
BESLA
Essence Film Festival
Saturday, July 6, 2024
11:30am CT
Cost FREE
Location:
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center900 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130
Description:
The Essence of Filmmaking: A primer by Legal & Creative Professionals
Speakers:
Moderator
Joshua A. Edwards, Esq., Partner, Fox Rothschild LLP
Panelists
Jalene Mack, Esq., Attorney, Actor, Author, Speaker
Keisha Perry Walker, Esq., Managing Attorney, The Perry Law
Taja V. Simpson, Producer/Actor
Tressa Azarel Smallwood, CEO/Producer, MegagMind Media
26
Jun
BESLA
2024 LA Summit
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
6:30pm - 9:00pm PT
Location:
The Grandmaster Recorders
1518 N. Cahuenga Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90025
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Description:
The LA Summit will be a great mixer and networking opportunity event!
18
Jun
BESLA YLD presents the
Music Table Talks Series: Part II – Jasmine Rasool Law, P.C.
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
3:00pm - 4:30pm PT
Location:
Location will be sent out
to confirmed attendees.
Description:
In celebration of Black Music Month and New York Music Month, BESLA YLD will host an exclusive series of fireside chats in the month of June with the most sought-after music executives and attorneys. Law students and junior attorneys will be able to learn from top executives in the business on their career path and the steps they took to achieve their career goals.
Speakers:
Danyel Semple
Director, Business & Legal Affairs', Insterscope Records
Founder of Jasmine Rasool Law, P.C.
12
Jun
BESLA YLD presents the
Music Table Talks Series: Part I – Universal Music Group
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
6:00pm - 7:00pm ET
Registration is now closed
Location:
Location will be sent out
to confirmed attendees.
Description:
In celebration of Black Music Month and New York Music Month, BESLA YLD will host an exclusive series of fireside chats in the month of June with the most sought-after music executives and attorneys. Law students and junior attorneys will be able to learn from top executives in the business on their career path and the steps they took to achieve their career goals.
Speakers:
Katherine V. Charles, Esq.
Award-winning Attorney Recognized by Super Lawyers & The National Black Lawyers Association
Senior Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs, Universal Music Group
Senior Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs,Universal Music Group
7
Jun
BESLA's Film/TV Division
A Three-Part Mental Health Discussion Series
Part 3: "It’s Not You, It’s Them: Getting Lost in Our Own Lives"
Thursday, June 7, 2024
12:00 pm PT/ 3:00 pm ET
Location:
via Zoom
Description:
Your hard work has paid off and sometimes finding the harmony between work and personal time is difficult. Hear practical tips for successfully finding a balance, the hazards to watch out for and the resources available to help.
Speaker:
Carena Lemons
The Lemons Law Firm, PLLC
30
May
BESLA's Film/TV Division
A Three-Part Mental Health Discussion Series
Part 2: "It's Not You, It's Them: Moving On, What's Next After Planned or Unplanned Transitions"
Thursday, May 30, 2024
12 -1:30 pm PT/ 3pm - 4:30 pm ET
Location:
via Zoom
Description:
A discussion led by coaches to help prepare attendees for their next opportunity.
Panelists:
Certified Career, Business and Life Coach
Business and Life Coach
Ashley Foote, Esq.
Life and Leadership Coach
Registration closes on Wednesday 8:00 p.m. Eastern / 5:00 p.m. Pacific.
16
May
BESLA NY Regional
Perkins Coie Women in Media and Entertainment Initiative Present
Women in Media & Sports Event
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Program
4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. ET
Reception
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET
Location
Perkins Coie
1155 Avenue of the Americas
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036-2711
Description:
Please join us for two dynamic panel discussions. The first will delve into the intricacies of media streaming, while the second will feature a panel of accomplished female general counsels in the sports industry. We hope you will join us after the sessions for a networking reception where you can enjoy cocktails, delicious bites, and great conversation. Don't miss out on this special event!
We look forward to seeing you!
Questions? Please contact Michelle O'Connor via email.
4 - 5
Apr
BESLA 2024 Mid- Year Conference
"Breaking Barriers & Empowering Change"
Thursday, April 4, 2024 & Friday, April 5, 2024
Location
Georgia State University
College of Law
Atlanta, GA
Details
Conference Honorees
Lifetime Achievement Award
Keith Sweat
6x Platinum Singer, Music Producer and Songwriter
and host of The Sweat Hotel.
Beacon of Industry Award
Chris Webber
Former NBA Player, On-air Analyst, Entrepreneur, Author
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14
Feb
BESLA invites you to their "PRIVATE VIP NIGHT" at the
Discover Boating - Miami International Boat Show
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Eastern)
Location
Herald Plaza Windward VIP Lounge
1 Herald Plaza, Miami, FL 33132
Description
ACCESS TO VIP RECEPTION
PLATINUM VIP ACCESS TO ART WYNWOOD VIP NIGHT
FROM 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM
