McDermott Will & Schulte, a global law firm

In a sports agent case dealing with key sports industry restrictive covenant issues, global law firm McDermott Will & Schulte secured a significant victory for Octagon, Inc., a leading sports and entertainment agency, by obtaining an order to transfer a California employment dispute with a former agent to the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

The ruling carries particular significance as California’s courts are often seen as employee-friendly; by securing transfer to Virginia, McDermott’s team has positioned the client to litigate related disputes in a single forum and avoided the risk of inconsistent rulings. The court further rejected the employee’s attempt to avoid transfer based on California public policy concerns and declined to allow those arguments to override the existence of the earlier-filed Virginia action.

The decision reinforces the importance of first-filed actions and forum-selection strategy in restrictive covenant disputes, where McDermott serves as an industry leader.

The McDermott team, led by Maria Rodriguez and Brian Casillas, with teammates Evan Kroll and Drew Flanagan.

McDermott Will & Schulte’s Media, Entertainment & Sports Group advises clients on their most critical transactional and operational matters, and we have a long track record of guiding clients through significant, complex litigation. We combine deep industry knowledge with technical excellence, practical guidance, innovative problem-solving, and successful trial strategies. Our team brings a client-centric approach to every engagement, helping you navigate complexity, seize opportunities, and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Our sports practice is recognized by Chambers, Legal 500, and as Law360’s 2026 Practice Group of the Year (Sports & Betting), and our media and entertainment practice is recognized in Variety’s 2025 and 2026 Legal Impact Report for Top Entertainment Attorneys, underscoring our leadership and impact across these sectors.