GIBBONS RECOGNIZED FOR SUPREME COURT VICTORY IN SPORTS BETTING CASE
Law360, a leading publication covering the legal industry nationwide, named Gibbons P.C. one of its “Legal Lions” for the week of May 14, based on the success of our client, the New Jersey Legislature, and other State entities before the U.S. Supreme Court, which issued a decision this week that makes way for legal sports betting throughout the United States.
The “Legal Lions & Lambs” series is an ongoing feature in Law360 that highlights each week’s most significant and impactful litigations and transactions across the country, focusing on the roles played by law firms in those matters – in both positive and negative lights. “Legal Lions” are the outside attorneys who secured meaningful victories for their clients, while the “Legal Lambs” failed to achieve their clients’ objectives in notable matters. Notes Law360 this week:
In a win that landed Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP and Gibbons PC on top of this week’s legal lions list, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday sided with the law firms’ arguments on behalf of the state of New Jersey and struck down a federal law that bars states from legalizing sports betting, opening the door to legalizing sports betting in states across the country. New Jersey is represented by Theodore B. Olson, Matthew D. McGill, Nicole A. Saharsky, Ashley E. Johnson and Lauren Blas of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, and Michael R. Griffinger, Thomas R. Valen and Jennifer A. Hradil of Gibbons PC.
This matter unfolded as a result of our client, the New Jersey Legislature, passing two laws that would permit wagering on sporting events in casinos and racetracks. In 2012, various sports leagues – the NCAA, NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB – together brought litigation to enjoin implementation of these laws as violating the federal Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). The Legislature sought to defend its sports wagering legislation and have PASPA declared unconstitutional. This litigation has resulted in two published panel opinions by the Third Circuit and one from the en banc court. The U.S. Supreme Court then heard oral argument in December 2017 and decided in favor of the defendants on May 14, 2018.
Congratulations to the Gibbons team! #BCAProud