A social media savant, Kyra Auguste L’24 used LinkedIn to connect with members of the legal team for a popular NFL franchise where she made friends and developed a deeper knowledge of the many ways the law influences professional sport and entertainment organizations.
For as long as Kyra Auguste can remember, she’s wanted to be an attorney, and if her memory serves correctly, she formally announced those plans at her kindergarten graduation.
Two decades later, the graduate of the University of North Florida is less than a year away from earning a law degree from Elon University School of Law, and her interest in criminal justice has since transformed into a passion for sport and entertainment law.
Enter the Jacksonville Jaguars.
While visiting her hometown of Jacksonville last summer, Auguste connected on LinkedIn with attorneys who work for an NFL franchise that anchors the downtown region of one of Florida’s fastest-growing cities. One conversation led to another, and earlier this year, she completed a residency-in-practice with the organization.
Auguste, the current secretary of Elon Law’s Student Bar Association, recently answered questions about what she learned from members of the franchise’s Legal Operations Team and how there’s so much more to sports and entertainment law beyond player contracts.
This is the second of three in a series of conversations with Elon Law students in the Class of 2024 completing their residencies-in-practice in recent months.
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You pursued an independent residency with the Jaguars. What led you to the franchise and how did you go about building a network there?
As a Jacksonville native, I knew my time would be best spent trying to secure an independent residency placement with the Jaguars right here in my hometown. Knowing how much networking is required to enter sports and entertainment Law, I remained confident in my extraverted nature, and I spent my 2L summer reintegrating myself into Jacksonville’s social scenes. LinkedIn became the default tool to arrange lunch meetings, and I discovered individuals who were closely associated with the Jaguars’ legal operations team.
Describe your daily responsibilities at the office.
I learned how to properly redline agreements amendments, draft a notice of breach, and draft a variety of sponsorship and partnership agreements. I also learned how the other departments rely on the legal team to carry out projects and operations. For instance, when free agents were being released or signed to the team, the social media team needed to make updates to their web pages and app. A healthy number of changes were contingent on a positive review from the legal team.
Based on your experience with the Jaguars, a professional sports team, what’s surprised you the most about the practice of law?
The breadth of the legal work that’s involved! I was surprised to discover that the legal team is involved in a wide range of legal matters for the Jaguars, including intellectual property rights, real estate law, sponsorship agreements, venue contracts, labor law, and even immigration law for international players. Especially with the team’s current development of a new stadium, there are negotiations that are more about business strategy and less about legal precedent. This includes understanding the financial implications of decisions and how they affect the team’s market position.
The most exciting part of my experience were the perks that come with being an intern for a professional sports team. I was able to enter more spaces with ease and further my network. This aspect of the experience was quite different from the traditional image of a lawyer working long hours in an office.
In what ways, if any, has your residency experience shaped your plans for after graduation?
My residency experience keeps me focused on entering sports and entertainment law straight out of law school. Given my experience with the Jaguars, and the extent of my legal network, I was able to land a 3L summer internship in New York City with Universal Music Group’s Business and Legal Team overseeing Republic Records, Def Jam, and Island Records. Although these internships provide a different set of experiences, I am continuously exposed to the importance of intellectual property and contract law. Nestled between the intersections of business and law, I am certain I will find my way into the industry.
Describe something you learned on residency with the Jaguars that might surprise people to know about the practice of sport and entertainment law.
One of the most surprising aspects of my residency was learning about the extent of contract negotiations that go beyond player contracts. There are regular brand, partnership, and sponsorship agreements that are involved in the legal team’s daily operations. These agreements take into account the long-term strategic goals of the franchise.
What advice would you provide to future students with an interest in independent residencies or interning for a sports franchise?
Be sure to lean into your own unique abilities, own your shortcomings, and use them to your advantage. When entering a competitive space, such as interning for a sports franchise, you want to stand out and connect with the people capable of granting you an opportunity. Networking is key, especially in niche areas like sports law. Attend sports law conferences, join sports law associations, and be sure to aim high.
Also focus on relevant legal areas. While in law school, concentrate on courses that are directly applicable to sports law, such as contract law, intellectual property, and business drafting. Understanding these areas will give you a solid foundation throughout your internships.
Be sure to lean into your own unique abilities, own your shortcomings, and use them to your advantage. When entering a competitive space, such as interning for a sports franchise, you want to stand out and connect with the people capable of granting you an opportunity.
– Kyra Auguste L’24
About the Residency-in-Practice Program
Elon Law’s highly experiential 2.5-year curriculum requires every student to complete a full-time, course-connected residency-in-practice during their second year of study. Through faculty-directed residencies, students cultivate essential skills, values and judgment to help them excel as attorneys and deepen their understanding of various practice areas, while enabling attorneys to convey wisdom about the legal profession.
Students work 32-36 hours a week over a 10-week trimester with a judge or attorney supervisor and a faculty member to create and implement a learning plan that develops an increased proficiency in professional legal skills and in an area of law practice.