Harvard Law School professor Paul Weiler is considered by many to be the founder of American sports law and the most distinguished sports law professor around. A renowned expert in many legal fields, including labor law and entertainment law, his extraordinary legacy in sports law is the focus of this post.
From a pedagogical perspective, Professor Weiler's sports law course at Harvard Law School has been crucial in turning our favorite area of the law into a respected and legitimate field. Even more impressive, Professor Weiler has been a wonderful mentor to so many students and former students, including me. He is always available to provide advice and guidance, and his friendship is invaluable.
Professor Weiler's scholarship has also been essential to the creation and growth of sports law. He is the co-author of perhaps the leading sports law case book with Gary Roberts, "Sports and the Law: Text, Cases, and Problems" as well as many influential books and law review articles, including "Leveling the Playing Field: How the Law can Make Sports Better for Fans," which the New York Times Book Review called "a provocative book that combines the broad knowledge of an all-seasons sports fan with the clarity of an antitrust lawyer."
Beyond his teaching and writing, Professor Weiler has been a noted public advocate for sports law. He has testified before the U.S. Congress and met with various political leaders in Canada, his home country. Given the trust that so many influential persons have placed in Professor Weiler, it's not surprising that the late Boston Globe columnist Will McDonough once said, "When it comes to sports law, Paul Weiler knows the answer before you ask the question."
Tonight, Harvard Law School will honor Professor Weiler, who has taught there since 1979. I am honored to be participating in this great event, which will feature a keynote address from Peter Gammons and the following schedule:
The Rules of the Game:
The Winning Effect of Paul Weiler
Friday April 27, 2007
3:45 to 5:00 Panel (Austin West): "Rules of the Game: The Winning Effect of Paul Weiler"
Roger Abrams Professor and Former Dean of Northeastern University School of Law
Stuart Brotman President of Stuart N. Brotman Communications Peter Carfagna Lecturer on Law and Covington and Burling Distinguished Scholar at Harvard Law School
Michael Curley Partner in the Labor and Employment Law Department of Morgan Lewis in New York City
Donald Fehr Executive Director of the Major League Baseball Players' Association
Stephen Greyser Richard P. Chapman Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus, at the Harvard Business School Joseph Weiler Professor of Law at the University of British Columbia
Robert Weiler Attorney
Please contact Professor Weiler's assistant, Susan Smith, with any questions. It should be a great event.
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