This week in the Law School Insider we are bringing you Anthony O'Neill of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. Anthony O'Neill is the Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel for this agency and is also an alumnus of Cooley Law School.
The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority (ISFA) is a government entity created by the Illinois General Assembly in 1987 for the purpose of constructing and renovating sports stadiums for professional sports teams in the State of Illinois. ISFA is the owner and developer of Guaranteed Rate Field, home of the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox. The Authority also financed the Chicago Lakefront Development project, which included significant restoration to Soldier Field.
In his daily activities, Anthony O'Neill stated that he engages in activities such as:
- Entertainment deals and contracts
- Developing business relationships
- Engaging with entertainers and sponsors for events that are occurring in the venues.
- Working with other outside counsel in working through deals.
Anthony O'Neill stated that in law school he always had an interest in sports law. He mentioned watching the movie Jerry Maquire and being intrigued in the business end of working within the field. In law school he worked for litigation firms that allows him to be able to better understand working with celebrity clients and this really helped him to prepare well for what he is doing today.
The big sports law break for him came in the lawsuit that he was a part of when he represented the Wrigley Rooftop owners in a case against the Chicago Cubs which was something that allowed him to get full into the field of sports law.
The biggest challenge that he has to work through is work with the press. He stated that you have to set the right message and you have to spend a lot of time preparing for your media communication. Also, he finds that emotional intelligence is critical. You have to look at things from another person's vantage point to be able to find success.Anthony O'Neill also stated that after you negotiate deals with parties you will find that the craft of making these deals can be very enjoyable.
In working with the press Anthony O'Neill said that you have to be yourself. Working with people in a natural manner and treating people in a way that you would want to be treated is key. Candor is also important. You want to make sure that you show all of your cards and not hold back. If you take the time to read, study and examine what your role is and what lawyers do, this will carry you far in your career.
Anthony O'Neill said that as he looks back on his law school experience he wishes he had taken more courses in Sports and Entertainment Law. He also would have focused more on negotiation in law school. Negotiation and mediation courses would have really helped him in what he does on a daily basis.
Anthony O'Neill stated that you need to work hard in law school and study hard in every course as the courses will come back around for the Bar Exam. Law School is a marathon, not a Race and you have to engross yourself in the courses. You never know when the subject matter will come back to cases that you will be a part of in the future.
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