I really feel like traditional esports is regressing, particularly from a professional and ethical perspective. My guess is a combo of budget cuts meaning fewer lawyers are directly involved, sophisticated players leaving, or organizations surviving via unethical practices.

I forgot to post on here that I’m at EVO, but I’m at #EVO2025 this weekend! Day 1 is in the books. Always a crazy fun and energizing event. Grassroots esports is the best.

Derek makes a great point here. A lot of this is also messaging: There’s always going to be *some* limit on what a user can do with a game or IP, but the more reasonably and clearly spelled out that line in the sand is, the less controversial when enforcement actually is necessary.

Sometimes I feel like I’m in too deep with clients calling me “Conner” or “Conor” and just accept it. I draw the line at “Richard”, though.

Man why do sports have to hurt so bad even when your team is in the freaking NBA Finals 😭

"The more things change, the more they say the same." - Bon Jovi, discussing esports. It will eternally baffle me how many organizations (of all kinds) sign talent to contracts they know they likely cannot honor and fail upwards from there. Good god.

Tyrese Haliburton in the on-court interview after his game-winner: "Basketball is fun!" He's absolutely correct! Basketball is THE BEST!

NBA teams were 0-970 when down by 14 or more points in the final 2:50 of regulation in the playoffs over the last 27 postseasons. They are now 1-970.

A wild Kevin Dong and Connor Richards from our team have appeared at Licensing Expo! Catch them roaming the halls exploring the latest in games, licensing, and IP. Reach out if you'd like to connect on game deals, brand partnerships, or if you all want to try catching the giant Pikachu together. ⚡

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I feel as if we're capable of acknowledging that a one-day boycott is mostly symbolic without becoming contemptuous and dismissive of people finding a little meaning and comfort in such a symbol. The scorn seems petty.

When you see opposing counsel posting about "wins" for their client that breach an obligation to your client...

“If no lawyer within earshot of the President is willing to give him that advice, then I expect you will eventually find someone who is enough of a fool, or enough of a coward, to file your motion. But it was never going to be me.” That’s some legendary stuff.

DOJ leadership has put all Public Integrity Section lawyers into a room with 1 hour to decide who will dismiss Adams indictment or else all will be fired. Sending them strength to stand by their oath, which is to support the Constitution, not the president’s political agenda. 🇺🇸

My Steam account just got hacked and they sold all my trading cards. Pray for me.

I hope whoever chose the songs for FIFA games in the 2010s is doing well.

Who are my esports industry people in North Carolina? I'm putting together a presentation on esports to the North Carolina Bar Association in late February and would love to include some of you.

Do any lawyers in my network use note-taking apps for meetings? Obvious concern is the data going anywhere I don’t want it to (privilege issues), but also just efficacy.

Monday evenings are for self-care ❤️

Socks are great and all, but comfy sweaters are undefeated as Christmas gifts.

The games industry is a neat place to work. Especially when the lawyers on the other side of something are also focused in games and not jerks.

Very Texas move to make the basic act of looking up business in its Secretary of State registry a pain in the ass.

Happy Monday to everyone except people executing term sheets now for deals they want to close by the end of the year.

Just woke up in a cold sweat because one of my Roblox clients wanted to pay a contractor in hats.

Me every single time I have to remove Force Majeure as a basis for someone to terminate for Cause.

I really can't fathom why people pay for cable subscriptions anymore. 75% of the time the products don't even work, and even when they do, the quality stinks and you're inundated with ads. Just an awful viewer experience.

Drop an indie game you're playing right now that you love 👇 I've been grinding Rivals of Aether II and I still totally suck, but I always having a blast trying to get to a competitive level in a new game. Time permitting I'd love to get back to tournaments.

Gotta say, as far as motivations to run faster go, signs saying “Gator area be advised” hit different.

Lately I've really been learning the power of "I don't have the time to do this right now, let me delay this by asking a few questions that eliminate assumptions I would otherwise just make and flag."

I'm someone that really doesn't replay games, but I recently started replaying Hollow Knight. The environmental storytelling and ambience is unmatched. Just a stunning experience the whole way through. Obligatory "Silksong when"

For those interested, I'll be one of a few presenters on "Esports Law 101" coming up next month. If you use the access code in the screenshot below, you can register fo' free.

Me doing pro formas for priced rounds with fifteen SAFEs converting on bespoke terms. GIVE ME AN ACTUARY

Should I be worried?

I’m still reeling over the election, but sometimes just being a kid outside for a bit makes a massive difference. Touch some grass/snow. Preferably with a loved one.

Man I'm a full five years into my career as a lawyer and I'm STILL learning how worthless every bit of the Bluebook is.

I threw together 2500 words on Nintendo's newly released Community Tournament Guidelines: lnkd.in/dUN9CzD2 It includes a Q&A featuring community questions I received, a potential preview on commercial licensing terms, other options organizers might pursue, and a bit of legal background.

Any friends hitting up TwitchCon this year? Let me know if you'd like to grab coffee or a drink!

I have to say, "Article II of the Constitution is unconstitutional" is a new one for me. Cenk Uygur's campaign for US President already making waves. twitter.com/cenkuygur/st...

Added videogamelayoffs.com to the #GameJobs doc in case people want to see which companies have been affected this year and to put it all into perspective.

Playing politics in Small Bar Association™️ has to be one of the silliest ways to “network” and “brand build”.

Travel to France off to a bad start. I hit the agent checking bags with the “you too” after they said “enjoy your flight!” 🤦‍♂️

Is it too early to get excited for Colorado ski szn? Are the kids still saying szn??

Percy, Byron, and Artie ❤️