Charlie Bingham
Associate General Counsel
Horizon3.ai
Mid-Year Conference 2026
Culture is the Case
WHERE ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS AND LAW SHAPE THE LANDSCAPE
Thursday, May 28 - Saturday, May 30, 2026
Atlanta, Georgia
Event Details
Thursday, May 28th
Opening Reception
6:00pm-9:00pm
Location: TBD
Friday, May 29th
Workshops and CLE panels
8:30am – 6:00pm
Location(s):
Georgia State University College of Law
85 Park Pl. NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
The Candler Hotel
127 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Saturday, May 30th
YLD Brunch
11:00am
Location: TBD
BESLA honors Tip "T.I." Harris with Beacon of the Industry Award
Tip "T.I." Harris: Atlanta-Born Rapper, Actor, and Record Label Founder
Universally recognized as a visionary and groundbreaking entrepreneur—one who led the explosion of southern hip hop music and, specifically, trap, to a mainstream breakthrough—Tip “T.I.” Harris continues to share exciting new projects capturing the magnetic rapper, actor, art curator, entrepreneur, philanthropist and activist at the top of his game.
Culture Created - Program Agenda
Announced Programming
- Bar Exam Writing Workshop for Law Students
- TV Writing Masterclass Workshop
- Actors Masterclass Workshop
- Music Contract Workshop
- Data is the Case: AI in eDiscovery, Litigation and Transactions
- The Business of the Athlete: Agencies, Capital, and the New Power Structure in Sports
- Regulating the Narrative: Film, Television, and the New Compliance Landscape
Featured Session
Data is the Case: AI in eDiscovery, Litigation and Transactions
Sponsored by:
Speakers
Emerson Bretous
Principal
Sovereign Discovery
Joe Drayton
Partner | Co-Head
Proskauer Rose LLP
Brittani Ojogho-Fields
Corporate Counsel
Amazon MGM Studios
Explore the full BESLA Mid-Year Conference schedule by day. Click each section below to expand session details, speakers, moderators, and locations. Programming is subject to change.
Opening Night: Culture Created
6:00pm – 9:00pm
Opening Reception & Awards Experience
Presentation of Beacon of the Industry Award — Clifford “T.I.” Harris
Fireside: “The Blueprint: Ownership, Influence, and Reinvention” with TRD
The Culture Desk: Mixing Connection & Networking Experience
New Location: TBD
Culture Sustained: The Business, Law and Power Behind It All
Morning Workshops
8:00am – 11:00am
The Bar Blueprint: Biz Brain Writing Workshop
Presenter: Brandy D. Montgomery, Esq., The Bar Writing Coach
Hosted by: BESLA Young Lawyers Division
Location: Georgia State University College of Law – Room TBD
9:00am – 11:00am
The Writer’s Room: TV Story Development Masterclass
Hands-on session focused on story structure, characters, outlining and development.
Presenter: TBD
Location: Georgia State University College of Law – Room TBD
9:00am – 11:00am
The Casting Room: Actors’ Workshop
For those pursuing acting, talent, auditioning technique and self-tape prep.
Presenter: Derrell A. Whitt
Location: Georgia State University College of Law – Room TBD
9:00am – 11:00am
The Deal Room: Contract Review & Negotiation Workshop
Presenters: Aurelia Brooks, Partner Arrington & Phillips, LLP; Vice Phillips, Owner and Partner, Arrington & Phillips, LLP
Location: The Candler Hotel – Ballroom
Morning Workshops
8:00am – 11:00am
The Bar Blueprint: Biz Brain Writing Workshop
Presenter: Brandy D. Montgomery, Esq., The Bar Writing Coach
Hosted by: BESLA Young Lawyers Division
Location: Georgia State University College of Law – Room TBD
9:00am – 11:00am
The Writer’s Room: TV Story Development Masterclass
Hands-on session focused on story structure, characters, outlining and development.
Presenter: TBD
Location: Georgia State University College of Law – Room TBD
9:00am – 11:00am
The Casting Room: Actors’ Workshop
For those pursuing acting, talent, auditioning technique and self-tape prep.
Presenter: Derrell A. Whitt
Location: Georgia State University College of Law – Room TBD
9:00am – 11:00am
The Deal Room: Contract Review & Negotiation Workshop
Presenters: Aurelia Brooks, Partner Arrington & Phillips, LLP; Vice Phillips, Owner and Partner, Arrington & Phillips, LLP
Location: The Candler Hotel – Ballroom
CLE Panels | 11:30am – 5:00pm
11:30am – 12:00pm
Where Culture and Counsel Collide: Conflict in Sports and Music
Panel discussion on conflicts, negotiation, representation, ethical duties, business partnerships, ownership and counsel roles in sports and music.
Moderator: TBD
Panelists: TBD
Location: The Candler Hotel – Ballroom
12:00pm – 12:45pm
Welcome to the Landscape: Remarks & Networking
Adrienne Williams, Esq., Chairwoman, BESLA Board of Directors
Moderna “Mo” Terry, Professor of Practice and Director of Entertainment, Sports and Media Law Initiative, Georgia State Univ. College of Law
Location: The Candler Hotel
12:45pm – 1:50pm
Where Culture and Counsel Collide: Conflict in Sports and Music
Featuring: Sports Honoree
Location: The Candler Hotel – Ballroom
11:30am – 12:00pm
Where Culture and Counsel Collide: Conflict in Sports and Music
Panel discussion on conflicts, negotiation, representation, ethical duties, business partnerships, ownership and counsel roles in sports and music.
Moderator: TBD
Panelists: TBD
Location: The Candler Hotel – Ballroom
12:00pm – 12:45pm
Welcome to the Landscape: Remarks & Networking
Adrienne Williams, Esq., Chairwoman, BESLA Board of Directors
Moderna “Mo” Terry, Professor of Practice and Director of Entertainment, Sports and Media Law Initiative, Georgia State Univ. College of Law
Location: The Candler Hotel
12:45pm – 1:50pm
Where Culture and Counsel Collide: Conflict in Sports and Music
Featuring: Sports Honoree
Location: The Candler Hotel – Ballroom
2:00pm – 3:05pm
Panel B: From the Cave All In: Discovery, Litigation and Transactions
Discussion exploring AI-generated and social media posts, NIL, contracts, discovery, litigation, digital evidence, intellectual property and transaction support.
Moderator: Brandi Coyne, Counsel Amazon Studios
Panelists: Bronwyn Brooker, Sheppard Mullin; Joseph Dardano, Proskauer; Charlie Bragg; The Candler Hotel – Ballroom
3:10pm – 4:10pm
Panel C: Breaking the Narrative: Film, Television and the New Compliance Landscape
Explores FCC oversight, advertising practices, sponsorship identification, children’s programming, political advertising and emerging digital platform obligations.
Moderator: TBD
Panelists: TBD
Location: The Candler Hotel – Ballroom
4:15pm – 5:15pm
Panel D: Power, Capital & the Business of the Athlete: Power, Culture, Capital and the New Sports Power Structure
Discussion on athlete ownership, entrepreneurship, representation, capital access, media platforms, IP monetization, NIL, private equity and influence.
Moderator: TBD
Panelists: TBD
Location: The Candler Hotel – Ballroom
Panel B: From the Cave All In: Discovery, Litigation and Transactions
Discussion exploring AI-generated and social media posts, NIL, contracts, discovery, litigation, digital evidence, intellectual property and transaction support.
Moderator: Brandi Coyne, Counsel Amazon Studios
Panelists: Bronwyn Brooker, Sheppard Mullin; Joseph Dardano, Proskauer; Charlie Bragg; The Candler Hotel – Ballroom
3:10pm – 4:10pm
Panel C: Breaking the Narrative: Film, Television and the New Compliance Landscape
Explores FCC oversight, advertising practices, sponsorship identification, children’s programming, political advertising and emerging digital platform obligations.
Moderator: TBD
Panelists: TBD
Location: The Candler Hotel – Ballroom
4:15pm – 5:15pm
Panel D: Power, Capital & the Business of the Athlete: Power, Culture, Capital and the New Sports Power Structure
Discussion on athlete ownership, entrepreneurship, representation, capital access, media platforms, IP monetization, NIL, private equity and influence.
Moderator: TBD
Panelists: TBD
Location: The Candler Hotel – Ballroom
6:00pm – 11:00pm
The Culture Kickback: Networking Experience
Location: TBD
The Culture Kickback: Networking Experience
Location: TBD
11:00am – 1:00pm
The YLD Brunch: Culture Remembers, Culture Reimagined — A Farewell Brunch Experience
Representation to Reality: Culture, Law, and What Comes Next
A closing conversation on how the stories that shape us now challenge us to shape what comes next.
Location: TBD – Atlanta Georgia
The YLD Brunch: Culture Remembers, Culture Reimagined — A Farewell Brunch Experience
Representation to Reality: Culture, Law, and What Comes Next
A closing conversation on how the stories that shape us now challenge us to shape what comes next.
Location: TBD – Atlanta Georgia
Hotel Information
The Candler Hotel Atlanta,
Curio Collection by Hilton
127 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Curio Collection by Hilton
127 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Complimentary Guestroom Wi-Fi
Complimentary group rate two (2) days pre/post group dates
Two (2) Complimentary Bottles of Water Per Sleeping Room
Complimentary access to 24 Hour Fitness Center
DATES: May 28 – 30, 2026 | Rate: $189
Run of House
(Room Photo Example Below)
*Exclusive of taxes
Additional Information:
Taxes/Fees: 16.9% taxes, $5.00 Hotel/Motel Georgia State Tax, 2% Historic Preservation Fee
Check-In / Check-Out Time: 4pm Check-In / 11am Check-Out
Parking: Valet Only / $55 per day
Nearest Airport: 10 miles from Hartsfield Jackson International Airport
Fee Matrix
Registration Closes on Mon., 5/22 5pm ET/2pm PT
| Category | Rate | W/Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Member (Thursday and Friday only) | 250 | 259.55 |
| Non member (Thursday and Friday only) | 350 | 365.16 |
| Student member (Thursday and Friday only) | 85 | 88.58 |
| Student non member (Thursday and Friday only) | 110 | 114.49 |
| Opening Reception ONLY member | 125 | 130.03 |
| Opening Reception ONLY non member | 150 | 155.93 |
Register Now (Full Conference)
Full conference registration includes the Thurs. reception + Fri. CLE panels & workshops.
(Sat. Farewell Brunch not included)
Reception & CLE Panels Registration Closes on Fri., 5/22 5pm ET/2pm PT
Register Now (Opening Reception Only)
Location: TBD – Atlanta Georgia
Opening Reception Only
Member Cost: $125
(Processing Fee: $5.03)
Opening Reception Only
Non-Member Cost: $150
(Processing Fee: $5.93)
Opening Reception Only
Member Cost: $125
(Processing Fee: $5.03)
Opening Reception Only
Non-Member Cost: $150
(Processing Fee: $5.93)
A special thank you goes to our dedicated Planning Committee, whose hard work and commitment made this year’s conference possible.