culturally relevant, career-oriented legal education. Ivory adapted the Sneaker Law curriculum with a focus on Atlanta’ s unique role in the fashion and entertainment landscape.
“ This is not just a class for sneakerheads,” said Professor Ivory in a recent interview with Georgia State News.“ It’ s a class for students who want to understand how law operates in real time where brands, creatives, athletes, and companies intersect.”
The class examines legal concepts like intellectual property, trademark infringement, design patents, licensing agreements, endorsement deals, and corporate formation but it does so through a practical, culturally fluent lens. Students dive into real-world examples, analyzing landmark disputes like Nike v. MSCHF over the“ Wavy Baby” sneakers and Nike v. Lil Nas X concerning the controversial " Satan Shoes."
Guest Speakers Straight from the Industry In keeping with the course’ s applied focus, Georgia State Law invites a steady rotation of high-profile guest speakers from the sneaker and fashion industries. Anand and Goldstein themselves have visited the class to share insights from their legal and business experiences, along with in-house counsel from brands like Adidas and designers navigating the legal complexities of brand collaborations.
“ It ' s amazing to see law students engaging so deeply with topics like design ownership, brand protection, and athlete deals,” said Kenneth Anand, who co-teaches similar courses at other institutions and maintains an active legal practice.“ Courses like Sneaker Law help demystify the industry and prepare the next generation of lawyers to enter a space that is rapidly evolving.”
These insider perspectives give students a front-row seat to the legal machinery behind some of the world’ s most influential cultural products.
Real-World Application with Local Relevance Atlanta is no stranger to cultural innovation. From music to fashion to sports, the city has established itself as a creative capital and Georgia State Law is harnessing that energy.
“ Atlanta is home to so many creatives, athletes, and influencers,” Ivory added.“ Our students need to be ready to enter those rooms, advise those clients, and understand both the legal and cultural contexts they operate in.”
For students, the course is an opportunity to gain experience at the intersection of law and lifestyle. Jasmine Wells, a 2L who took the class in fall 2023, shared her perspective on the experience:
“ It’ s one thing to read about a contract clause in a
IN THE PROFESSION
casebook. It’ s another thing entirely to hear from someone who negotiated that clause last week with a major brand. That kind of exposure makes law school real.”
Wells says the class helped her refine her interest in intellectual property and sports law and gave her the confidence to explore internships in brand protection and licensing.
Business, IP, and Ethics in One Box Though sneakers may seem a niche subject to outsiders, the legal issues surrounding them are far from superficial. The global sneaker industry is estimated to exceed $ 100 billion by 2026, with rapidly expanding resale markets, increasing concerns about counterfeit goods, and ongoing debates about fair labor practices, sustainability, and corporate responsibility.
Professor Ivory’ s course challenges students to engage with these issues critically.
“ What are the labor conditions in factories producing limited-edition drops? Who owns a co-created design? What happens when a resale platform is accused of fraud?” Ivory posed in a recent LinkedIn post reflecting on the course.“ We’ re not just talking about cool shoes— we’ re unpacking the legal frameworks shaping culture and commerce.”
Students leave the course with a nuanced understanding of copyright and trademark law, along with practical tools like how to review licensing agreements or negotiate endorsement deals.
A Model for Modern Legal Education Georgia State’ s Sneaker Law course reflects a larger shift in legal education— one that prioritizes relevance, accessibility, and practical engagement. In the past decade, schools across the country have faced criticism for clinging to outdated casebook models and ignoring the cultural and economic shifts reshaping legal practice.
But Sneaker Law flips the script. It embraces the interests of a diverse student body, speaks directly to current industry needs, and prepares students to think critically and creatively.
“ Students learn better when they’ re invested in the subject matter,” said Jared Goldstein in an interview with Footwear News about the Sneaker Law textbook.“ And this generation of law students grew up with sneaker culture it’ s personal to them.”
Indeed, Georgia State Law’ s course isn’ t an isolated novelty. It’ s part of a broader curriculum that includes classes on music law, sports agency, and entertainment negotiations— all under Ivory’ s leadership.
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