Alain Mathieu is a trusted advisor for high-profile clients in the sports and entertainment industry, and an accomplished litigator who has tried cases to verdict in federal and state courts, as well as before the American Arbitration Association and in proceedings before professional sports league commissioners. Alain handles complex business disputes, including contract matters, government and internal investigations, intellectual property litigation, and sports and entertainment matters. Alain also handles transactional matters related to licensing, sponsorship, and multimedia. In addition, Alain previously served as the Interim General Counsel of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, a quasi-public Authority that owns and operates several of Massachusetts’ premier convention, exhibition, entertainment, and sports venues. His practice spans a range of industries, including sports, entertainment, consumer goods, financial services, healthcare, and technology.
As chair of the firm’s Sports & Entertainment Practice, Alain advises clients on both business and personal matters, including brand development and enforcement; endorsement, name, image and likeness (NIL), and other licensing agreements; television, film, music, and choreography contracts; broadcast and streaming agreements; and league and NCAA compliance. He also represents clients in high-stakes disputes when necessary. His clients include professional and amateur athletes, entertainers, agencies, agents, teams, leagues, brands, creatives, and executives.
Alain is deeply committed to community service. He serves on the boards of Crossroads (as Vice Chair), The Wily Network, Shooting Touch, and the Eddie-Mae Robbie Foundation, and on the advisory boards of The Foundation To Be Named Later, the Concussion & CTE Foundation, and Harlem Lacrosse Boston. Through his pro bono work, he advocates for clients in domestic and sexual violence matters, and asylum cases.
His legal and community work has been recognized by numerous organizations, including the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, City Awake, Diverse Representation (Sports & Entertainment), the U.S. Haitian Chamber of Commerce, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services, the National Black Lawyers 40 Under 40, Chambers, Best Lawyers in America, and Super Lawyers.
Practices
- Business Disputes
- Sports & Entertainment
- Trademark, Copyright & Unfair Competition
- White Collar Crime & Government Investigations
Education
- Boston College Law School, J.D., 2017 (cum laude)
- Bowdoin College, B.A., 2012 (cum laude)
Bar Admissions:
Massachusetts
Court Admissions:
United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Experience
- Represented prominent NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, WNBA, and PLL athletes in wide range of matters from general business to endorsements, NIL agreements, and sponsorships
- Represented NFL team in successfully dismissing claims of defamation and civil conspiracy
- Represented retired NFL star in launching MMA league and streaming platform
- Represented prominent media company in return to television
- Represented NHL executive in securing favorable outcome in league investigation
- Represented multiple NCAA athletes in voiding illegal representation agreements with unlicensed agents and managers
- Advised multiple NCAA athletes in connection with NCAA eligibility disputes
- Conducted internal investigation and assisted professional sports team in resolving claims of racial discrimination
- Represented Netflix reality television stars in multiple matters including sponsorships and endorsements, business, and non-profit matters
- Represented world-renowned choreographer in negotiating choreography services agreement for a multi-platinum recording artist’s world tour
Related Professional Experience
- Interim General Counsel, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority
- Judicial Extern for the Honorable Gregory C. Flynn, Waltham District Court
Honors
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America in the field of Entertainment and Sports Law (2024-2026) and Commercial Litigation (2023-2026)
- Massachusetts Rising Stars list in Entertainment & Sports (2025)
- S. Haitian Chamber of Commerce, Young Professional of the Year Finalist (2025)
- Diverse Representation (Sports and Entertainment): Ten To Watch (2024)
- Selected to the Massachusetts Rising Stars list in Business Litigation (2020-2024)
- Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce: Ten Outstanding Young Leaders Honoree (2023)
- The National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 Black Lawyers in Massachusetts (2019-2024)
- Chambers Diversity & Inclusion Awards - Shortlist – Diversity & Inclusion Future Leader in North America (2021)
- The National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 Black Lawyers Nationally (2021)
- Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce: Boston Future Leaders Program (2021)
- Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services – Pro Bono Honor Roll (2020-2021)
Involvement
- Eddie-Mae Robbie Foundation, Board Member (2025 – present)
- Shooting Touch, Board Member (2025 – present)
- Concussion & CTE Foundation, Advisory Board Member (2023-present)
- Harlem Lacrosse Boston, Advisory Board Member (2023 – present)
- The Foundation to Be Named Later, Advisory Board Member, 2023 – present
- Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association, Member, 2022-Present
- The Wily Network, Board Member, 2021 – present
- Boston Bar Association Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Steering Committee, Committee Member, 2020 – present
- Legal Careers Subcommittee of the Boston Bar Association Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Steering Committee, Co-Chair, 2020 – 2025
- Boston Bar Association Business and Commercial Litigation Steering Committee, Committee Member (2020 – 2025)
- Crossroads, Board Member (2019 – present), Vice Chair (2025 – present)
- Bowdoin College Admissions Office, Bowdoin Regional Admissions Volunteer Organization Member (2014 – present)
- Bowdoin College Office of Annual Giving, Alumni Fund Class Agent (2012 – present)
