Five current and future Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law students have spread out across the country interning for NFL teams for the summer—Wes Turner with the Dallas Cowboys, Janaye Dowers with the Miami Dolphins, Carman Ferrante with the Washington Commanders, Spencer Robinson with the Chicago Bears, and Mia Massimo with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
"We're incredibly proud of our students and deeply grateful to the many practitioners who support, train, and mentor them along the way," said associate dean Greg Levy, program director. "These unique learning opportunities reflect our program's philosophy, which emphasizes hands-on, practical experience alongside a simulation-based curriculum, robust networking, and a tight-knit community."
The students credit their successes in securing the internships and being well prepared for the rigors of practice to the School of Law's programming, faculty, program leadership, and wide network connections with the teams.
"I came into law school with a clear vision for my career, but Greg [Levy] has helped bring that vision to life, consistently advocating for me with decision-makers and offering guidance every step of the way," said Turner, a rising second-year student. "What sets him apart is not just how well-connected he is, but the genuine relationships he's built across the industry—something that, in my experience, many program directors elsewhere simply don't have in such abundance.
"One of the most surprising and rewarding parts of my internship with the Dallas Cowboys has been the unwavering support and collaboration from every staff member I've encountered. What stands out most is the legal team's innovative mindset and openness to creative problem-solving," Turner said. "I've been able to dive into multiple areas of the law and see firsthand how they connect to the world of sports. It's been a dream experience to learn from such a dynamic team and contribute along the way."
Third-year J.D./LL.M. student Ferrante said that in addition to the School of Law program support, his experience has been invaluable. "Ryan Appel, [J.D. '14], senior counsel at the Washington Commanders, has gone above and beyond in offering me mentorship and support," Ferrante said. "His willingness to share his time and experiences and his unwavering belief in me have made a real impact on my life.
"One particularly complex area I have especially been exposed to during my time with the Washington Commanders is contract negotiation. While player contracts often get the most attention, I've come to see how critical a broad spectrum of agreements is to the operation and success of a professional sports organization," Ferrante said.
"Miami Law has done an exceptional job preparing me to engage with [the most interesting legal issues in professional sports] through a combination of focused coursework and hands-on learning. Courses offered through the EASL program, like Negotiating and Drafting Sports Venue Agreements, as well as the Transactional Skills program, have provided me a practical foundation in contract structure, negotiation strategy, and deal dynamics," Ferrante said.
Rising second-year student Robinson said that Levy and the School of Law "put me in the best possible position to succeed, not just through its programming, but through a faculty and staff who genuinely invest in their students. I'm incredibly grateful for what the school has already done for me in just my first year.
"This internship has given me a truly immersive, firsthand experience in sports law—something that's hard to come by, especially so early in law school. I'm working directly under the supervision of the chief legal officer of one of the NFL's most storied franchises, and that exposure has only deepened my passion for this field," Robinson said about his experience working with the Chicago Bears. "Each day, I'm learning something new, contributing meaningfully, and gaining insight into the unique legal landscape of professional sports," Robinson said.
Massimo, a J.D./LL.M. student, is part of the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Honors Program, a unique and specialized track that offers hands-on experience, access to expert faculty, and cutting-edge coursework. "The EASL program was a major factor in my decision to attend Miami Law over several T-14 and T-20 schools. It offered a clear and practical pathway into the sports and entertainment industries and helped me develop the skills and experience necessary to secure an internship with an NFL team," she said.
"The emphasis on industry network and community at Miami Law has been instrumental in both securing my internship and shaping my experience as a law student," Massimo said. "As I've become more involved in the Miami Law community, including serving as a liaison for both the Counseling Creators Negotiation Competition & Conference and the Global Entertainment and Sports Law Industry Conference, I've seen firsthand how invested people are in one another's success. These events create meaningful opportunities to connect with practitioners and alumni who are not only accomplished but also incredibly generous with their time and advice."
As a rising second-year J.D./LL.M. honors student, Dowers sees firsthand how the Dolphins' legal team coordinates across departments and demonstrates the value of foresight in legal decision-making. "As Marc Weinroth, deputy general counsel for the Miami Dolphins, once told me, 'Sports attorneys must be capable of seeing around corners, proactively identifying risks before they escalate,'" she said.
"The University of Miami School of Law has played a critical role in preparing me for this demanding field. The fast-paced academic environment at Miami Law, marked by tight deadlines and multiple deliverables, has strengthened my ability to manage multiple assignments efficiently, a skill that proved invaluable during my internship with the Dolphins," Dowers said.
Read more about entertainment, arts, and sports law at Miami Law.
