Insight

Robert Latham, Dallas 2018 Lawyer of the Year in Sports Law

Dallas 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" discusses love for rugby and history on the Olympic Committee.

Dallas Sports Law Lawyer of the Year 2018
AR

Abigail Rowe

May 30, 2018 03:46 PM

People compare litigation to all sorts of things, depending on their style and that of their opponent: chess matches, for the studious and logical; boxing rings, for the confrontational and bold; and even war, for those prone to extremes. For Robert Latham, former Stanford athlete and now the Dallas area 2018 “Lawyer of the Year” award winner in Litigation - Sports Law, litigation is like a game of rugby.

“It teaches you [that] preparation is critical—that there’s somebody on the other side who’s going to be equally prepared and to expect that and respect it,” Latham says, when asked how his time playing rugby has influenced his work in the courtroom. “And when I do litigation, I like the competition. I like the feeling of going in and not knowing if you’re going to win or you’re going to lose, and having to get your game face on and put your best effort forward.”

For Latham, a partner at Jackson Walker, rugby is much more than an old college hobby. Previously chairman of the board for USA Rugby, he has also served on the U.S. Olympic Committee, the International Rugby Board Council, the IRB Executive Committee, and the IRB Regulations Committee. Latham is the author of Winners & Losers: Rants, Riffs & Reflections on the World of Sports and writes a regular column for SportsTravel magazine.

Despite all that might keep him busy—the chairmanships, the writing, the public speaking, and the Masters Rugby games he still occasionally plays—Latham maintains a thriving legal career. At Jackson Walker, his firm of 33 years, Latham practices media, first-amendment, and entertainment law, along with sports law and other areas of litigation.

While Latham’s practice combines his two great passions, the intersection of sports and the law can be rife with challenges—particularly from fans who resent being confronted by the darker realities of the industry, like player discipline or doping.

“People like sports to be about the athletes,” Latham says. “And they like it to be pure, and they like it to be joyful. They don’t like people in suits coming in and telling people in uniforms what to do.”

But if Latham sometimes has to deliver a bitter pill, it’s only to strengthen the health and the integrity of the game he loves.

“Law touches everything,” Latham says. “Including sports. People tend to think that sports is a game— and it should be. It’s fun, it’s exciting, but you need structure around it and rules. And I think being a lawyer and having legal training is part of that.”

Related Articles

"Lawyer of the Year"


Lawyer wearing suit poses for headshot

Ed Snow

Commercial Finance Law

Atlanta, GA

2024

"Lawyer of the Year"


Lawyer in suit poses for a headshot photo

Jeffrey A. Weissman

Family Law

Fort Lauderdale, FL

2024

"Lawyer of the Year"


Headshot of the D.C. Lawyer of the Year Honoree

Adam J. August

Corporate Law

Washington, D.C., VA

2024

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Germany™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from Germany.

Black, red and yellow stripes

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Switzerland™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from Switzerland.

Red flag with white cross

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Austria™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from Austria.

Red and white stripes

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Belgium™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from Belgium.

Black, yellow and red stripes

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Italy™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from Italy.

Green, white and red stripes

Pennsylvania "Lawyer of the Year" 2022


by Best Lawyers

Wendelynne J. Newton is honored as 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" in Pennsylvania for Litigation-Healthcare.

Pennsylvania "Lawyer of the Year" 2022

New England "Lawyer of the Year" 2022


by Best Lawyers

Vincent Lau is honored as 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" in New England for Immigration Law.

New England "Lawyer of the Year"

Connecticut "Lawyer of the Year" 2022


by Best Lawyers

Tanya A. Bovée is honored as 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" in Connecticut for Employment Law-Management.

Connecticut "Lawyer of the Year" 2022

Georgia "Lawyer of the Year" 2022


by Best Lawyers

We highlight seven 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" recipients throughout Georgia.

Georgia "Lawyer of the Year" 2022

Colorado "Lawyer of the Year" 2022


by Best Lawyers

Jane E. Young is honored as 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" in Colorado for Insurance Litigation.

Colorado "Lawyer of the Year" 2022

Canada “Lawyer of the Year” 2022


by Best Lawyers

Richard Vachon is honored as 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" in Montréal, Canada for Defamation and Media Law.

Canada “Lawyer of the Year” 2022

New York “Lawyer of the Year”


by Best Lawyers

David H. Perecman is honored as 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs in Long Island.

New York “Lawyer of the Year”

Southern California “Lawyer of the Year”


by Best Lawyers

John E. Wehrli is honored as 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" in Biotechnology and Life Science Practice in San Diego.

 “Lawyer of the Year” John Wehrli

Trending Articles

Announcing the 2023 The Best Lawyers in America Honorees


by Best Lawyers

Only the top 5.3% of all practicing lawyers in the U.S. were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 29th edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

Gold strings and dots connecting to form US map

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers® in the United States


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers listed in the 28th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and in the 2nd Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2022.

2022 Best Lawyers Listings for United States

2021 Best Lawyers: The Global Issue


by Best Lawyers

The 2021 Global Issue features top legal talent from the most recent editions of Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch worldwide.

2021 Best Lawyers: The Global Issue

The U.S. Best Lawyers Voting Season Is Open


by Best Lawyers

The voting season for the 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and the 5th edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America is officially underway, and we are offering some helpful advice to this year’s voters.

Golden figures of people standing on blue surface connected by white lines

How To Find A Pro Bono Lawyer


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers dives into the vital role pro bono lawyers play in ensuring access to justice for all and the transformative impact they have on communities.

Hands joined around a table with phone, paper, pen and glasses

What the Courts Say About Recording in the Classroom


by Christina Henagen Peer and Peter Zawadski

Students and parents are increasingly asking to use audio devices to record what's being said in the classroom. But is it legal? A recent ruling offer gives the answer to a question confusing parents and administrators alike.

Is It Legal for Students to Record Teachers?

How Palworld Is Testing the Limits of Nintendo’s Legal Power


by Gregory Sirico

Many are calling the new game Palworld “Pokémon GO with guns,” noting the games striking similarities. Experts speculate how Nintendo could take legal action.

Animated figures with guns stand on top of creatures

The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2024 Launch


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is excited to announce The Best Lawyers in Australia™ for 2023, including the top lawyers and law firms from Australia.

Australian Parliament beside water at sunset

Inflation Escalation


by Ashley S. Wagner

Inflation and rising costs are at the forefront of everyone’s mind as we enter 2023. The current volatile market makes it more important than ever to understand the rent escalation clauses in current and future commercial lease agreements.

Suited figure in front of rising market and inflated balloon

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2023


by Best Lawyers

The third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ highlights the legal talent of lawyers who have been in practice less than 10 years.

Three arrows made of lines and dots on blue background

A Celebration of Excellence: The Best Lawyers in Canada 2024 Awards


by Best Lawyers

As we embark on the 18th edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada™, we are excited to highlight excellence and top legal talent across the country.

Abstract image of red and white Canada flag in triangles

8 Different Types of Criminal Defenses in Law


by Best Lawyers

Learn about the different types of criminal defenses available in law, including innocence, self-defense, insanity and more. Protect your rights today.

Silver handcuffs laying on finger printed papers

Wage and Overtime Laws for Truck Drivers


by Greg Mansell

For truck drivers nationwide, underpayment and overtime violations are just the beginning of a long list of problems. Below we explore the wages you are entitled to but may not be receiving.

Truck Driver Wage and Overtime Laws in the US

The Upcycle Conundrum


by Karen Kreider Gaunt

Laudable or litigious? What you need to know about potential copyright and trademark infringement when repurposing products.

Repurposed Products and Copyright Infringemen

Choosing a Title Company: What a Seller Should Expect


by Roy D. Oppenheim

When it comes to choosing a title company, how much power exactly does a seller have?

Choosing the Title Company As Seller

The 2024 Best Lawyers in Spain™


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is honored to announce the 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in Spain™ and the third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Spain™ for 2024.

Tall buildings and rushing traffic against clouds and sun in sky