McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC announced the addition of its Esports practice group. The group, chaired by McNees attorney Langdon Ramsburg, will be supported by 10 other practice groups within the firm.
Esports, or competitive video gaming, is the result of a successful video gaming industry and involves professional gamers and oftentimes spectators. As esports grows, so does the number of complex legal issues that surround the industry. These issues include intellectual property protection, gambling, acquisition of sports properties, labor standards, and privacy and data security.
Cross-practicing at McNees enables the Esports practice group to advise clients with the help of other McNees practice groups including higher education, labor and employment, trademark, intellectual property, commercial litigation, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, data protection and gaming law. This allows McNees to provide its clients with focused problem-solving and specialized attention. In addition, the firm’s size and established connections with esports industry coalitions and leaders help McNees’ clients achieve their goals, navigate challenges and proactively identify opportunities as the esports industry continues to expand.
Esports is rapidly approaching a billion-dollar industry, with growth of thirty percent year over year. From collegiate teams to professional leagues to endorsement contracts, esports is on trajectory to follow traditional sports and forge some of its own unique paths. McNees, always forward-looking, recognizes the myriad legal issues that will arise from esports and has the expertise to address those needs.
In addition to being Chair of the McNees Esports Practice Group, Langdon practices in the Labor & Employment group. His experience counseling employers on collective bargaining, contract administration, and labor arbitration has equipped him with knowledge to better serve clients within the esports industry.