New York City / Nashville, Tenn. October 1, 2019 – Bass, Berry & Sims is pleased to announce that Marc Ackerman has joined the firm’s Sports & Media and Intellectual Property & Technology Practice Groups as Counsel. Based in New York City, he serves as counsel and strategic advisor for executives and c-suite professionals in the sports, fitness, recreation and wellness industries on various legal issues involving intellectual property and growth-stage business strategies.
“Marc brings our clients a deep perspective to find effective legal and business solutions from his experience as both outside and in-house counsel advising some of the biggest brands in the sports and fitness arena, including the NFL, NHL, MLS, ESPN and Tough Mudder – to name a few,” said Todd J. Rolapp, managing partner of Bass, Berry & Sims. “He shares our firm’s commitment to providing counsel and value to our clients as a trusted business partner and builds on an impressive team of attorneys in our multidisciplinary Sports & Media and Intellectual Property Practice Groups.”
Ackerman has more than 25 years of experience advising executives and c-suite professionals in both outside counsel and in-house counsel capacities. In his most recent role as the General Counsel and Senior VP of Legal and Business Affairs at Tough Mudder Incorporated, he provided business-focused legal advice as part of the company’s senior management team by navigating the legal, regulatory, compliance and business risks facing the growth-stage company. In addition to building and leading the company’s legal, risk and compliance function, Ackerman also headed HR and ran the international licensing business unit, and played a critical role in starting the company’s franchise gym business.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Bass, Berry & Sims for the next chapter of my career,” said Ackerman. “The firm was Tough Mudder’s primary outside counsel, and so I know first-hand the high quality of legal services the attorneys there can provide at favorable rates, particularly for the New York area where I’ll be practicing. Most importantly, I always knew that the advice I was getting from the firm’s lawyers was practical, usable and business savvy, and I relish the opportunity to join such a firm.”
Prior to joining Tough Mudder, Ackerman served as outside counsel to several high-profile organizations in the sports, media, technology and consumer products industries, such as the National Football League (NFL), National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Soccer (MLS), ESPN, Time Warner and more.
At Bass, Berry & Sims, Ackerman focuses his practice on collaborating with executive management teams of growth-stage companies on the development and implementation of in-house legal and compliance functions, corporate governance, debt and equity transitions, franchising, labor and employment policies and more. He also provides legal counsel unique to companies in the sports, recreation, fitness and wellness industries, including protecting intellectual property and growing revenue through licensing and sponsorship agreements.
In addition, Ackerman advises clients on ongoing intellectual property protection, including brand selection, trademark procurement and clearance. He counsels clients through challenges related to intellectual property in business transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, capital investment transactions, domestic and international licensing negotiations, corporate sponsorships, and media partnerships. He regularly litigates trademark and copyright cases, false advertising claims and commercial disputes.
Outside of the firm, Ackerman is a past chair of the New York City Bar Association’s Sports Law Committee and he has been an active member of the International Trademark Association. He earned his law degree from New York University Law School and his undergraduate degree from Yale University, both cum laude.
Ackerman is licensed to practice in New York and is not licensed to practice in Tennessee or the District of Columbia.
About Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
With more than 280 attorneys representing numerous publicly traded companies and Fortune 500 businesses, Bass, Berry & Sims has been involved in some of the largest and most significant business transactions, investigations and litigation matters in the country. Our attorneys work seamlessly across substantive practice disciplines, industries and geographies to deliver highly effective service and business-focused solutions. For more information, visit bassberry2022.wpengine.com.