3rd Annual Santa Clara Sports Law Conference - Presented by Habbas Law
Santa Clara University School of Law and its Office of Career Management hosted its 3rd Annual Sports Law Conference presented by Habbas Law on Friday, March 27, 2026, drawing law students from across California alongside attorneys and executives from around the nation. The event brought together aspiring sports lawyers and seasoned industry professionals for a day of panels, networking, and career building opportunities, a reflection of the conference's growing national reputation.
Dean Michael Kaufman; Omar Habbas, J.D. '85; Office of Career Management & Sports Law Certificate Program Director Leonard Lun
The day featured five panels covering how to break into sports law, diversity and inclusive excellence and the evolving sports fan, the rise of women's sports, and the legal landscape surrounding artificial intelligence, data, and privacy. The speaker lineup featured some of the most prominent general counsels and executives in the sports industry, including leaders from the Golden State Warriors, Seattle Seahawks, San Jose Sharks, NHL, PGA Tour, Minnesota Vikings, Professional Women's Hockey League, Bay FC, Angel City FC, Red Bull, Major League Soccer, and AEG Global Partnerships.
Over lunch, keynote speaker Shayne Skov delivered a standout address on resilience and purpose. A Bay Area native who starred as a linebacker at Stanford University and went on to play for the San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Skov channeled the adversity of an injury shortened NFL career into a path through McKinsey and eventually back to Stanford as Executive Associate Athletics Director of Strategy. His remarks offered a unique perspective on navigating challenges and finding purpose, leaving a lasting impression on a room full of law students charting their own paths.
Keynote speaker Shayne Skov shares insights with Sports Law Conference attendees
For attendees, the value of the day extended well beyond the panels. "Attending the Sports Law Conference was a highlight of my year," said Shelby Velasco, a 1L at Santa Clara University School of Law. "It was an incredible opportunity to connect with leaders in the sports and entertainment space and hear how they approach their work. I am already looking forward to next year."
The sentiment was mutual among practitioners. "I cannot thank you enough for inviting me to be a panelist," said Marykaren Ripple, Associate Counsel of Business Affairs at Major League Soccer. "The panels, participants, SCU staff, and the students were great and so very informative. I had a lovely time and managed to learn quite a bit." Santa Clara Law alumnus Brian Yam, J.D. '18 and Chief Operating Officer at Somnology added that "Professor Lun did an outstanding job bringing together leaders across the sports world" and called the conference "incredibly insightful."
Sports Law Conference attendees
The conference was organized by Santa Clara Law’s Office of Career Management and Leonard Lun, Sports Law Professor and Director of the school’s Sports Law Certificate Program. A big “THANK YOU” to Omar Habbas, J.D. '85 and Habbas Law for continuing to sponsor and support the conference since its inception in 2024. We would also like to acknowledge Mary Volmer and the Sport at the Service of Humanity Initiative (SSHI) for a grant which helped make our event a success. SSHI is a nonprofit organization offering grants to colleges who create programs that utilize SSHI's "3 Pillars" - Inspiration, Inclusion, and Involvement - and "6 Principles" - Joy, Respect, Balance, Compassion, Enlightenment, and Love. All of the aforementioned Pillars and Principles were interwoven throughout the day into the conference's panels and discussion topics. With each passing year, the Santa Clara Sports Law Conference continues to grow in students, practitioners, and national attention. Santa Clara Law will be ready to run it back in 2027!
Omar Habbas presented with plaque of recognition by Leonard Lun