Ep 22: Power Plays and Court Battles: Inside the NBA with Gary Kohlman, Esq.

In this episode, we sit down with Gary Kohlman , former General Counsel for the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), to dive into his illustrious legal career. With over 40 years of experience as a trial attorney, defense lawyer, and sports law expert, Gary has been at the forefront of high-stakes negotiations and landmark legal cases involving NBA superstars like LeBron James, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, and Michael Jordan.

Gary shares stories from his time representing NBA players in the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which secured $90 billion in compensation for athletes. He reflects on how NBA legends, including Michael Jordan, influenced player compensation and labor rights. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at negotiating NIL deals for college athletes and his departure from the NBA to return to his roots as a public defender.

📌 **Timestamps:**

00:00 – If I Was Not a Lawyer...  

01:22 – General Counsel for the NBPA  

05:40 – Compensating NBA Players  

08:57 – The Power of Michael Jordan  

10:33 – Negotiating NIL Deals for College Players  

16:25 – Leaving the NBA and Reflecting on the Public Defender Service  

22:59 – Attributes of a Great Trial Attorney  

24:53 – Expanding Opportunities and Making Decisions  

27:47 – Defending Edward Tickle  

35:56 – Learning from Mistakes and Vowing Never to be Unprepared  

40:18 – Arguing in front of the United States Supreme Court  

43:42 – Why Gary Isn’t a Judge Yet  

46:45 – Challenges and Complexities of Death Penalty Cases  

52:15 – Defending Individuals Who Appear Guilty  

1:00:50 – Closing Argument

Gary also opens up about his time as a  public defender at the D.C. Public Defender Service , where he developed unmatched skills as a trial attorney and successfully defended individuals in death penalty cases. He shares what it takes to become a great defense lawyer, recounts arguing in front of the United States Supreme Court, and reflects on why he isn’t a judge today.

If you're interested in sports law, criminal defense, or what it takes to be a top-tier attorney, this episode is for you! Whether you're a fan of the NBA or the legal world, Gary’s insights will leave you inspired.

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