We are delighted to announce our Member of the Month, Tammi Gaw.

Tammi is an Attorney, Consultant, C-level Sports Business Executive, Athletic Trainer, Author, and Professional Disrupter, USA.

Where are you currently located?
Glasgow, Scotland

What is your current position?
Founder and Executive Director of Advantage Rule, a consulting group focused on athletes' rights, with an emphasis on athlete health and safety. I consult with firms, organisations and teams on various corporate and sports-related issues. I’m also Of Counsel at Daniel, Ebeling, Maccia & Cohen, a boutique sports law firm in the United States.

How did you get involved in sports law?
I started my career in sports medicine, working in college sports. That was my first exposure to athletes' rights in terms of health and safety, as well as economic exploitation. I went to law school to get the experience and knowledge to advocate for safety, equality, and accessibility in all levels of sport. I’ve had the opportunity to work in the business and management side of sports, including planning and delivering large scale multi-venue events as well as policy work with governments and NGBs. There are only a handful of people who are licensed in sports medicine and as a lawyer, and that has opened a lot of doors for me to work on a wide variety of issues in sports.

Any advice for someone trying to break into the sector?
Be creative. Global sports have grown exponentially in the last twenty years, and sports professionals are more connected now than ever before. Gone are the days when you could only work in sports in your own country, or only with established men’s sports. The key to being a good sports lawyer is to be a good lawyer first. Make sure that you are getting as much experience as possible, while being creative about how and where you learn. There are online or specialised programs that are accessible and affordable and can open doors through either knowledge or networks (or both)! Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and market yourself and your skills, and consider mentorship or career coaching from people who have been where you are. Also, be multilingual. If you are an English speaker, being fluent in another language makes you more marketable and allows you to navigate the world in a more professional and effective way.

What is your most memorable achievement as a lawyer?
In 2009, I was invited to address the UK Parliament in Westminster to talk about Vulture Funds. I’m not sure that my English grandmother ever stopped telling people about that.

What is one of the biggest challenges you have faced in your career?
It would definitely be harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Sports isn’t as male-dominated as it used to be, but I have worked in jobs and with people who didn’t respect women, and didn’t believe I knew how to do my job. Many women have similar stories, which is why it’s important to have a network of talented, motivated, and successful women to remind you why you belong in this industry and are more than skilled enough to succeed and thrive.

How has WISLaw benefitted your career?
WISLaw is one of the most valuable networks I have. Through my membership and involvement, I have gotten work opportunities, learned a great deal from the programs and events, and developed relationships with sports professionals from all over the world. If something comes up in a sport or in a country with which I am not familiar, chances are someone in the WISLaw network has the right experience or skill set, and those relationships work both ways. There is something really powerful about talented women coming together to exchange ideas and support each other’s work, and WISLaw has always held that value at its core.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?
I have SO many hobbies. I love learning languages, and I am also a huge home renovation geek so I’m always building things and updating my house (or other people’s houses). Whenever possible, I also do really physical workouts, like rock climbing, hiking, boxing, and dancing.

If you weren’t a lawyer, what career do you think you would have chosen?
Someone who renovates old homes and buildings all over the world, and then writes about it.