Mission
THE BLACK ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS LAWYERS ASSOCIATION, INC. (BESLA) WAS FORMED TO PROVIDE SEMINARS, CONFERENCES AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ON TOPICS OF INTEREST TO ATTORNEYS AND LAW STUDENTS SPECIALIZING IN THE ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS INDUSTRIES. BESLA MEMBERS ARE ATTORNEYS FROM LEADING LAW FIRMS, IN-HOUSE COUNSEL FROM MAJOR ENTERTAINMENT, NEW MEDIA, AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS, SOLO PRACTITIONERS, LAW SCHOOL PROFESSORS, BUSINESS EXECUTIVES IN THE MUSIC, SPORTS, CABLE AND BROADCAST TELEVISION, FILM, VIDEO GAME, TOURING, MARKETING AND BRANDING, AND PUBLISHING INDUSTRIES, INCLUDING FINANCIERS, AGENTS, AND MANAGERS. MEMBERSHIP IS ALSO EXTENDED TO LAW STUDENTS, AND PART OF OUR PROGRAMMING IS SPECIFICALLY TARGETED TO THEIR TRAINING AND GROWTH THROUGH SEMINARS, MENTORING AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. THE ORGANIZATION HAS A NETWORK OF 2,000 SUPPORTERS THROUGHOUT THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES, EUROPE AND THE CARIBBEAN.