Known as a “powerhouse generalist” and an “Olympian’s lawyer” by colleagues and clients, Alan Fertel is a standout attorney whose clients— including multi-millionaire athletes, entertainers, and high net worth individuals —turn to for addressing their legal matters.
Alan’s diverse practice includes sports, arts and entertainment law, civil litigation, commercial law, international law, and family law. Alan negotiates high-value endorsement deals and sponsorship contracts for athletes and coaches including American Olympic champion swimmers Caeleb Dressel and Bobby Finke. Caeleb Dressel is a three-time Olympian who has won nine gold medals and holds world records in the 100 meter butterfly, 50 meter freestyle, and 100 meter individual medley. Bobby Finke is a two-time Olympian who has won three gold medals and holds the world record in the 1500m freestyle. Alan also represents Olympic speed-skater turned baseball player Eddy Alvarez, one of five athletes to medal in both the summer and winter Olympics. In addition to Olympic champions, Alan and the firm represent professional golfer David Duval, who was the #1 rated golfer in the world, a former member of the PGA Tour, and a current member of the PGA Champions Tour. Alan represents him in endorsement negotiations and recently worked on a name, image, and likeness deal for him on behalf of the David Duval Golf Center.
An accomplished trial attorney, Alan has tried over 100 jury and non-jury trials. His recent victories include obtaining a jury verdict of not guilty where three other co-defendants were found guilty of $25 million dollars of damage; obtaining a zero verdict on behalf of the City of Doral; and, on the night before trial, obtaining a rare dismissal of a case in favor of his client the City of Homestead.
An intense negotiator, Alan cites his charismatic personality, persistence, and aggressive litigation skills as the keys to his success. Over the course of his 40-year legal career, Alan has developed the legal skills to handle any case and any client that demands his legal representation. He has zealously represented banks, developers, financial institutions, real estate agencies, corporations, partnerships, estates, and individuals involving fraud, breach of contract, intentional interference with contractual relationships, defamation, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, RICO, and civil theft.
Sports, Arts & Entertainment Law
Alan represents individuals and entities in the sports, arts & entertainment space, from athletes and entertainers to coaches, athletic directors, teams, agents, leagues, radio stations, models, modeling agencies, restaurants, and clubs. Alan has consulted with eight first-round draft picks in the NFL draft and is featured in the NFL League Security Video filmed by NFL Films, shown to every NFL player as counsel on how to avoid the problems and pitfalls of being a celebrity professional athlete. He negotiated the Principal Hosting Agreement for the 2014 Miss Universe Pageant and has negotiated broadcast agreements with the Miami Marlins, Miami Dolphins, Florida Panthers, and the University of Miami Hurricanes. He has acted as counsel to the Miami-Dade Special Olympics, World Series of Boxing, the National Senior Games and the World Water Skiing Championships. Alan has also negotiated endorsement agreements with Speedo, TYR, Omega, Coca-Cola, Comcast, NOBULL, Hershey’s, and Toyota, as well as sponsorship agreements with Beats and GrubHub, for his athlete clients.
Alan is uniquely positioned to represent college and high school student athletes who wish to pursue endorsement and sponsorship opportunities, ensuring that they enter into beneficial business relationships serving their best interests. He has been at the forefront of advocating for name, image, and likeness rights on behalf of his student athlete clients, staying on top of legal developments that give them access to new opportunities. Alan has entered into and is pursuing strategic partnerships with agents and sports agencies to help student athletes monetize these newfound opportunities, including monetizing their connections, followers, and contacts.
Alan’s practice has an international reach as he has represented clients from Spain, South, Central, and Latin America. He leverages his international business network to help his clients pursue business opportunities in the United States. For example, Alan negotiated licensing agreements with Sevilla FC, a premier Spanish “La Liga” professional soccer team to expand their brand to the United States. Sevilla FC plans to open youth soccer academies through Florida and the United States and to market merchandise and compete in friendly soccer matches. Alan will also be representing Sevilla FC in their efforts to break into the United States soccer market.
Alan is a frequent speaker and lecturer at sports and entertainment law seminars throughout Florida, the United States, and Latin America. He is sought after to speak to lawyers, law school, college, and high school students and student athletes on various legal and ethical issues, including Florida’s Name, Image, and Likeness Statute. He has also spoken at numerous universities and high schools about the importance of pursuing education, encouraging student athletes to prioritize their studies.
Alan also gives his time and efforts to various charitable and civil causes. He was the Chair and a member of the Board of Directors of the Miami-Dade Sports Commission, is a member of the Greater Miami Sports Tourism Advisory Committee, a member of the Executive Committee of The Miami-Dade County Special Olympics, a member of The St. Thomas University Business School Advisory Council and Athletic and Sports Administration Advisory Board, a member of the Executive Council of the Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Section of the Florida Bar where he is the Chair of the Sports Committee, and a member of the Lawyers Alliance of the Council for Educational Change.
Family Law
Alan represents high net worth individual clients in divorce and dissolution proceedings, child custody matters, paternity cases, and annulments. He has successfully garnished over $100 million in foreign assets representing both domestic and international clients in dissolution proceedings in Florida. Alan uses his strong litigation and negotiating skills coupled with his post judgement collection knowledge, honed over years of practice, to recover and collect hidden assets throughout the world. During a personally difficult and emotionally challenging time, Alan’s clients can trust that he will be a staunch advocate of their legal rights with a personal understanding of the effects of divorce on both parties and their children.
Alan has been recognized as one of South Florida’s top lawyers by the South Florida Legal Guide since 2003. He is AV® rated by Martindale-Hubbell, and has also been recognized as one of Florida’s top attorneys by Florida Super Lawyers every year since 2006. He has also been recognized in Florida Trend Magazine’s Legal Elite and The Best Lawyers in America for his Sports Law practice.
Florida, 1984
New Jersey, 1989
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
University of Miami School of Law, J.D., 1984
Shippensburg State College, B.A., Government, 1981
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