Chris Kidd, Financial Coach and Contributor on the Price of Business on Business Talk 1110 AM KTEK (on Bloomberg’s home in Houston) recently interviewed Sports & Business Attorney, Roger R. Quiles. Roger has published several articles on recent and emerging issues in Sports Law and Business Law. Prior to establishing his solo practice, Roger honed his legal skills while working for a judge and a small firm in New York City. Roger is also an active volunteer in several organizations that promote the access of underprivileged athletes, and non-athletes, to attorneys.
Can you give me a brief history of your business?
I started my Sports Law and Business Law solo practice in Spring 2014. My practice focuses on servicing the needs of athletes, sports businesses, small businesses and start-ups. Located in New York City, I work with athletes and companies who do business within New York. I have published five scholarly articles on Sports Law and Business Law topics, and maintain a blog where I discuss current topics in those practice areas.
I graduated from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law with a concentration in intellectual property. Prior to opening my solo practice, I worked for a judge and a small firm in New York City.
What inspired you to pursue Sports Law?
I first discovered Sports Law during Darrelle Revis’ 2010 holdout. As a concerned Jets fan, I thought about the many reasons that holdouts occur. Upon realizing that holdouts result from reaching an impasse in negotiations, I then wondered why the MLB didn’t have a holdout problem as the NFL does. This stream of thought ultimately became the basis of my first publication, as I had realized the skills I was honing in law school had direct applicability in the sports business. Since then, I became fascinated with all things Sports Law, especially athletes’ rights. I published an additional three scholarly articles on Sports Law topics, made connections within the industry, and volunteered for a not-for-profit organization dedicated to protecting the rights of amateur athletes. When I opened up my firm, it was only natural to include a Sports Law practice to continue doing the work I enjoy and fighting for causes such as athletes’ rights.
What would you say differentiates you from other sports attorneys
My practice’s model is quite different from other sports attorneys. I operate a virtual practice, which means that I leverage technology to allow my practice to be agile, responsive, and provide better value to my clients by not occupying a brick and mortar office. Instead, I meet with clients at their businesses or homes, and do much of my work on the go. In effect, my office is wherever I am as long as I have my laptop or iPad with me, which I always do. Even my office phone number routes to my cell phone. Establishing my practice in such a manner has allowed me to develop a greater connection with my clients, provide my clients with more responsive services, provide my clients with better value for my services, and still enjoy a sunny day.
Additionally, from an athletes’ rights perspective, I am certainly in the minority of sports attorneys who have siblings playing sports at a high level. Therefore, my interest in athletes’ rights is not just intellectual, but also personal.
What types of legal situations do you deal with most often?
My practice focuses on transactional work and counseling. I draft, negotiate, and review many types of contracts. I counsel businesses on corporate, employment, tax, insurance, and intellectual property matters. Additionally, I counsel athletes on their rights with respect to NCAA bylaws, as well as the appropriate collective bargaining agreements.
I know the legal field can be one of the most stressful fields to be in. Is there anything you find particularly stressful about your work?
The most stressful aspect about my work, and being a lawyer a general, is that there are only twenty-four hours in a day. There is always more work to be done, and some clients can be demanding irrespective of how much work they actually require. Compounding that with the demands I place upon myself can become stressful. However, designing my practice to be able to function on the go helps ease some of the stresses that time places on my work. For instance, because I am able to respond to emails while on the bus, or begin drafting a contract while on the subway, I can make the most of my time and limit the stresses that time imposes.
What would you say is the most rewarding part of your work?
The most rewarding part of my work is helping people. Even when representing businesses, it is important to remember that people are what make businesses thrive, and ultimately you are servicing them. A “thank you” and a smile make my work very rewarding.
Contact information:
Website: www.RRQlaw.com
Twitter: @RogerQuiles
Email: Roger@RRQlaw.com
