C. Anthony Mulrain
Partner
Overview
Anthony Mulrain is a leading corporate and intellectual property (IP) attorney at Holland & Knight, serving as co-chair of the firm's Sports Law and Entertainment Law teams. Based in the Atlanta and New York offices, Mr. Mulrain brings more than 20 years of experience, blending transactional acumen with litigation prowess, making him a trusted legal strategist in the sports and entertainment industries.
Deep Sports Industry Insight
Mr. Mulrain is nationally recognized for his comprehensive representation across the sports industry, from players and agencies to teams, leagues and esports enterprises. His deep industry insight makes him a trusted adviser to top athletes, sports franchises and investment firms navigating the complex intersection of sports, private equity and venture capital. With a client roster boasting 8 No. 1 overall draft picks, champions with 23 NBA titles, 3 Super Bowl victories, 17 Olympic medals and 101 NBA All-Star Game appearances, Mr. Mulrain's counsel is indispensable in highly sensitive matters.
Extensive Entertainment Industry Experience
In the entertainment sector, Mr. Mulrain is a sought-after adviser for A-list actors, producers, studios and networks. His commitment to his clients' success, combined with his extensive industry experience, drives his ability to navigate and resolve the most sensitive and high-profile legal challenges. His representation of multibillion-dollar studios and creative talents in critical transactional and litigation matters has solidified his reputation as a leading figure in entertainment law.
At the Intersection of Sports, Entertainment and Private Equity
Mr. Mulrain's business acumen and strategic insight position him at the nexus of sports, entertainment and investment. CEOs, investors and companies across these industries rely on his counsel to guide them through sophisticated ventures, mergers and structural decisions that require a blend of legal acumen and business strategy.
Crisis Management
When brands are threatened, whether by pre-draft extortion or international fraud, Mr. Mulrain is the trusted adviser to whom high-profile clients turn. His ability to protect and restore his clients' reputations is a testament to his deep understanding of brand value and his proactive approach to crisis management.
Beyond the Practice of Law
Mr. Mulrain's passion for sports extends beyond his legal practice. As a former head coach of an AAU Basketball team, he led his team to both a state championship and national championship over five years, further underscoring his commitment to excellence.
Prior Experience
Before joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Mulrain co-chaired the sports and entertainment practice at a major U.S. law firm in New York and founded and managed the Atlanta office of a national law firm.
Representative Experience
- Represent an NFL legend in negotiating life rights agreement with a television producer
- Represented a production company in evaluating whether certain investigative footage may be used for a documentary without governmental approval
- Represented an internationally recognized video game company in navigating agreements with engineering consultants engaged to evolve the next iteration of one of the world's most prominent video games
- Lead counsel on launch of Overtime Elite, a groundbreaking new professional basketball league, which included employment matters, sports and entertainment services, healthcare regulatory advice, licensing issues and the creation of the league's Uniform Players Agreement, Player Conduct Policy, Sponsorship and Endorsement protocols, health privacy and data procedures, and the Group Licensing Agreements
- Counseled and advised numerous amateur track and field athletes on whether to become professionals and negotiated groundbreaking endorsement agreements with apparel companies
- Defended a high-profile actress in an Illinois lawsuit brought by the ex-wife of her husband, a professional basketball player, alleging that she had engaged in inappropriate conduct in the presence of her husband's children
- Represented a professional basketball player in securing an injunction against his reality star ex-girlfriend in Florida, which enjoined her from mentioning his name in the media
- Represented a television network in a copyright infringement case regarding a reality television show
- Represented boxing promoters in negotiating promotional, match, television production and licensing agreements, and in securing required approvals from sanctioning bodies and state commissioners
- Represented sports agencies and professional athletes in fee dispute arbitrations – American Arbitration Association (AAA), Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMS), Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA)
- Represented a professional basketball player in a California lawsuit that resulted in his ex-girlfriend being unable to leverage his brand for purposes of a reality television show
Credentials
- Rutgers Law School, J.D.
- Iona College, B.B.A.
- Georgia
- New York
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- National Black Lawyers, 2020-Present; Top 100 List, 2021
- The Sports Lawyers Association (SLA), 2017-Present
- Law360 Media & Entertainment Editorial Advisory Board, Board Member
- Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA), Member, 2003-Present, Board of Directors, 2004-2010, 2024
- Metropolitan Black Bar Association, Board Member, 1997-2001
- Chambers USA – America's Leading Lawyers for Business guide, Nationwide – Sports Law, 2022-2024; Nationwide – Sports Law: Esports, 2022-2024
- New York Super Lawyers magazine, Entertainment & Sports, 2022-2024
- Sports Business Journal, Power Players: Outside Counsel, 2021
- The National Law Journal, Sports & Entertainment Trailblazers List, 2020
- Who's Who Legal, Sports and Entertainment, 2007-2009, 2015
- Rolling Out, 100 Most Influential People in Entertainment, 2008
- The Network Journal, Top 40 Under Forty Achievement Award, 2004