LSBA Home
LSBA Menu

LSBA Entertainment Law CLE Seminar: Safeguarding the Spotlight

Thursday, April 16, 2026 - Friday, April 17, 2026
Register Online
LSBA Entertainment Law CLE Seminar: Safeguarding the Spotlight 
April 16-17, 2026

Behind every successful public figure—whether on stage, on screen, or on the field—stands a skilled legal team.

This continuing legal education seminar explores the critical role lawyers play in protecting the careers, rights, and reputations of creatives and athletes alike. Featuring highly credentialed speakers, the program will address timely legal issues across the entertainment and sports industries.

Hosted by: Louisiana State Bar Association’s Diversity Committee’s Pipeline to Diversity and Outreach Subcommittee and Art, Entertainment and Sport Law Section

Location: Louisiana State Bar Association, 601 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

Check In: 8:00 a.m.
Schedule(s): 8:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. each day
Registration Fee: $175
CLE Credit hours: 4.00 CLE Credit Hour(s) each day - Total of 8.00 CLE Credit Hour(s)
Room Capacity: Limited to a maximum of 40 registrants.

Included with registration:
Light Breakfast and Coffee 
A Single-Day Fest Family Pass to French Quarter Festival for Friday ONLY is included with registration.
Enjoy exclusive perks such as hospitality lounges, shaded elevated viewing areas, private bars, private restrooms, and more. https://frenchquarterfest.org

The day before the conference, a logistics email will be sent to your email address on file with the LSBA. If not an LSBA member, the logistics email will be sent to the email address used for the registration process.

To view your LSBA continuing legal education registration history, visit your LSBA membership account. You can manage your LSBA membership account by clicking here. 

Schedule: Thursday, April 16, 2026 

8:15 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. - Session One, Name, Image, and Likeness in College Sports – Legal Basics and Major Cases 1.00 Credit Hour(s)

In a rapidly evolving world of college athletics, this session will look to describe the playing field from the genesis of amateurism, through the rise of player-led challenges, to today’s world of athlete empowerment. The session will discuss the landmark cases that have shaped the rules of engagement for college athletes over the past century and will look into the future to discuss the challenges that still dot the uniquely American institution of college sports.
  • Justin S. Brashear, Founder and CEO, Brashear Law LLC, Lake Charles, LA

9:20 a.m. - 10:20 a.m. - Session Two 1.00 Credit Hour(s)
  • Walter "Fritz" Metzinger III, Associate, Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann LLC, New Orleans, LA

10:25 a.m. - 11:25 a.m. - Session Three, Guarding and Exploiting the Spotlight 1.00 Credit Hour(s)

This session will examine methods of protecting name, image and likeness of creatives and athletes along with exploiting name, image and likeness for commercial gain by creatives and athletes.

  • Edgar "Dino" Gankendorff, Co-Managing Partner, Provosty & Gankendorff, LLC, New Orleans, LA

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Session Four 1.00 Credit Hour(s)

  • Ashlye M. Keaton, Co-Founder, The Ella Project, New Orleans, LA

Schedule: Friday, April 17, 2026

8:15 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. - Session One 1.00 Credit Hour(s)
  • N. Kordell Caldwell, Associate, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, New Orleans, LA

9:20 a.m. - 10:20 a.m. - Session Two, From High School Athlete to the Pros: Protecting Athlete Brands in the NIL Era 1.00 Credit Hour(s)

Today’s athletes enter the public spotlight earlier than ever, often while still in high school creating unprecedented branding opportunities and legal risk. This CLE examines the evolving NIL landscape, and the legal, contractual, and reputational challenges athletes face as they transition from amateur status to professional careers. Presented from the perspective of a sports agent and/or attorney, the session explores common NIL pitfalls, enforceability issues involving minors, intellectual property ownership, social media risk management, and contract provisions that can jeopardize future earning potential. Attendees will gain practical strategies for safeguarding athlete brands, structuring NIL agreements, and protecting long-term value in an increasingly commercialized sports and entertainment marketplace.

  • Shane D. Williams, Maven Sports Group, Strategic Partner of Cash Money Records, Alexandria, LA

10:25 a.m. - 11:25 a.m. - Session Three 1.00 Credit Hour(s)

  • Michael B. Victorian, Counsel, Phelps, Baton Rouge, LA

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Session Four, AI, Artistry, and the Law: Protecting Creators in the Age of Synthetic Sound 1.00 Credit Hour(s)

This session explores how generative artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing music creation and challenging long-standing principles of intellectual property law. Drawing on high-profile examples involving AI-generated songs and other forms of media, the session explores the legal implications surrounding copyright ownership, licensing, and authenticity. Attendees will gain an understanding of how existing legal frameworks are being applied to rapidly evolving technology, and how attorneys can help artists and rights holders safeguard creativity while navigating innovation in the AI era.

  • Brianna M. Spikes, Attorney at Law, Atlanta, GA

Registration Cancellation Policy:
All cancellations must be received in writing and sent to diversity@lsba.org.

Telephone cancellations will not be accepted.

Cancellations received in writing before March 28, 2026, will be fully refunded minus an administrative fee in the amount of $30. If written confirmation of cancellation is not received by March 28, 2026, no refunds or credits will be issued of any kind. Credits will be processed within thirty days of the cancellation request. 

If you prefer not to register online, please click here for the Attorney Registration Form. Submission instructions are on the form. 

If you are an out-of-state attorney, please click here for the Out-Of-State Attorney registration form. 

If you are not an attorney, please click here for the Non-Attorney Registration Form.

The LSBA is not responsible for any expenses associated with travel, lodging, or other costs incurred by the registrant. This also applies if the LSBA must cancel the seminar for any reason.

On-site Registration Policy: It is the policy of the LSBA that NO CASH shall be accepted for any transaction. Payment may be made by personal check or via the LSBA registration portal if open on the day of registration. 

Audio/Video Recording:
Audio or video recording or transcription of any portion of the seminar is prohibited unless express consent is granted by the LSBA.

Parking: The Louisiana State Bar Association cannot provide parking for you. Paid parking, such as metered parking spaces and parking lots, is available in the area. Please click here for details.

Special Requirements/Dietary Restrictions:
Please contact the LSBA if you have a disability, dietary restrictions or a food allergy that may require special accommodations at this conference. The LSBA is committed to ensuring full accessibility for all registrants.

OnDemand Viewing:
Sessions will not be recorded for OnDemand viewing.

MCLE Attendance Reporting:
The LSBA Member Outreach and Diversity team will provide attendance records for participating Louisiana attorneys to the MCLE Department within 30 days of the seminar.

Disclaimer:
The LSBA’s inclusion of a program in its CLE programming is not to be deemed a statement or an endorsement of the views expressed therein by the LSBA or any member of the LSBA. Speakers on LSBA programs were carefully selected for their knowledge, but neither the LSBA nor the speaker warrant that the presentations or materials were free of errors or will continue to be accurate. Statements in the presentations and their materials should be verified before relying on them. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect opinions of the LSBA, its sections, or committees. Views expressed are those of the authors and contributors only.

Questions?
Contact the Member Outreach and Diversity team members by email at diversity@lsba.org. 
Louisiana State Bar Association
601 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70130
 (800) 421-LSBA(5722) / (504) 566-1600