Alan has been a featured speaker at numerous national conferences, including the National Association of Sports Officials, the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, Inc., the American Bar Association, the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association, the National Parks and Recreation Association, the National Police Athletic League, US Lacrosse -- the national governing body of Lacrosse, the Professional Association of Volleyball Officials, and many state and local high school athletic associations, colleges, universities, and school districts.

In addition to "Sports Officiating: A Legal Guide,", now in its 2nd edition, Al is co-author of Sport, Physical Activity and the Law, a college textbook now in its 3rd edition. His work has been featured in numerous national and regional publications. Al provides legal commentary to national media including CBS This Morning® • ABC News Good Morning America® • The New York Times® • MS-NBC Weekend With Alex Witt® • NBC News The Today Show® • NBC Evening News • CNN® • ESPN® • USA Today® • Fox News® • NewsOK® • NJBIZ® • Fox & Friends® • New Jersey Law Journal® • Athletic Business® • REFEREE Magazine® • The New York Times® • Fox News Fox & Friends® • ABC Radio "Sports Talk" with Art Rust, Jr. ® • My9 New York Television News® • A.M. Best Insurance Law Podcast Series® • It's Official® Newsletter of the National Association of Sports Officials; and Athletic Business Magazine®.

Read the pdf of  "Court Presence – 11 Cases That Made a Difference"

NEW FROM ALAN GOLDBERGER.................. "I'D HAVE TO BE UNCONSCIOUS" ~ OFFICIATING THE NEW CONCUSSION RULES IF you are an officer, administrator, supervisor, assigner or director of a referee or umpire association, you need to know how to officiate the new playing rules regarding CONCUSSION. Everyone involved in the sports industry -- amateur and professional -- is aware of the groundswell of attention focused of late on the devastating impact of head trauma sustained by athletes at all levels of sport. The legal, ethical and medical issues incident to concussion have been the subject of rules changes at all levels, from professional down to youth leagues. All officials' associations need to step up and supply their member officials with workable mechanics for officiating the new concussion rules. Officials today need to know not ONLY the rule for the level and league they are working, but they need to have a practical, risk-conscious mechanic to officiate the rule. so your officials can minimize the risk of liability for themselves and their association officers and supervisors. That's why you need to attend Alan Goldberger's nationally acclaimed program... "I'D HAVE TO BE UNCONSCIOUS" ~ OFFICIATING THE NEW CONCUSSION RULES TO ADD YOUR ORGANIZATION, CLICK HERE! © Alan Goldberger 2010- All Rights Reserved FOR MORE INFORMATION Email:  speak@RefLaw.com

• Officiating and the Law

  A personal message to Officiating Supervisors, Coordinators and Assigners from Al Goldberger...

  If your officials are ready to call a game that's
  SAFE, FAIR, & FUN...
  Knowing "The Law" Can Help. A Lot!

  This is where I come in. In my day job, I am a practicing attorney; but don't hold that against me. For about 35 years, I worked at night. And on weekends, too. I wore mostly stripes. That's right. I officiated basketball, football and baseball. College, high school, independent, recreation. From Division I down to the youth leagues, at some point in my officiating life, I was there. Most of my friends and clients officiate, or like you, engage, supervise, or instruct those who do.

  That's why I'd like to speak to your officiating staff "official to official." With my presentations, created and delivered by a referee for referees (and umpires, too), your staff will be brought up to speed on what the law requires of us and how to use great mechanics, the rules and the law to manage the risks we all face.

  When I first started officiating in high school, it was as a baseball umpire. Then on to college, where I picked up the sports of football and basketball, as the seasons turned.

  Back then, training officials and supervising their assignments was nowhere near the job it is now. What with the "eye in the sky" of instant replay, social media, and the ever intrusive smart phone videos in the hands of everyone old enough to walk, officiating is way different than it was even a few years ago.

  The stakes are higher as well. As sports at all levels expand together with the expectations of today's student-athletes -- and their parents -- the athletes' skills are more and more perceived as a ticket to fame and fortune. Winning, as a legendary coach once said, may be "the only thing," but for those of us involved in officiating and the delivery of sports programs to wide segments of the population, "Safe, Fair and Fun" is everything. At the end of the day, the game is safe, fair and fun because officials -- and those who supervise their services -- make it so.

  Today, more than ever, your officials need to be aware that legal responsibilities placed on all of us by the rules, and often by laws, have expanded. I've defended referees and umpires against all sorts of claims and suits. At all levels, my experiences as a working official and as an attorney -- and my lifelong observation of the some of the best officials on the planet -- tells me that YOUR staff needs awareness of their legal responsibilities as officials. Here are just a few of the important topics I discuss:

  · HOW A GOOD "PRE-GAME" CAN HELP AVOID LIABILITY

  · KEYS TO CONTROLLING ROUGH PLAY/TAUNTING AND BAITING

  · THE ART OF MANAGING THE FIGHT

  · THE IMPORTANCE OF INJURY MECHANICS

  · WHY OFFICIALS NEED TO ENFORCE EQUIPMENT/UNIFORM -RELATED RULES

  · THE VALUE OF PRESERVING THE APPEARANCE OF IMPARTIALITY

  · TECHNIQUES TO MANAGE EXPOSURE TO LIABILITY BEFORE AND AFTER THE GAME

  For more information on how Alan Goldberger can help your officiating staff:

  CLICK for Alan’s: "Speaker One-Sheet"  ·  EMAIL:  alan@RefLaw.com  ·  CALL Alan directly at: 973.471.9200

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• Safety and Liability for Physical Education Teachers, Coaches, and Athletic Administrators

  Alan Goldberger has trained thousands of administrators, recreation professionals, teachers, coaches and students in legal principles related to sport and physical activity. As a practicing attorney, he offers practical techniques and solutions based on his knowledge of the law and his extensive experience as a high school and college referee and umpire.

  IS YOUR STAFF AWARE OF HOW THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ARE AFFECTED BY THESE STATE LAWS? TORT IMMUNITY · ATHLETIC CODES OF CONDUCT · CONCUSSION TRASH TALKING · ASSAULT/BULLYING · SPORTS AGENTS · COACH/OFFICIAL/ATHLETIC TRAINER LICENSING

  Alan Goldberger uses a practical -- not theoretical -- approach to the challenges faced by administrators, physical education teachers, and athletic coaches on a daily basis. Presentations and Workshops give coaches, teachers, athletic trainers and administrative staff what they need to know about the law of negligence and other aspects of the law which pertain to physical education and athletics as it applies in an education setting.

  The ability to develop the virtues of positive behaviors and good sportsmanship during participation, to integrate game skills by following the rules of an activity and rules related to player safety, and the importance of practicing safe game techniques reflect the educational outcomes desired by all school districts. At the same time, the instruction in and practice of safe sport skills goes hand in hand with effective risk management. This philosophy results in enhancing professional development for teachers and coaches who master appropriate techniques and protocols and thereby demonstrate commitment to reducing risk associated with sports and physical activity, in these litigious times.

  Alan Goldberger’s presentations enhance the professional development of athletic and physical education staff by demonstrating the importance of coaching and teaching safe game skills, adherence to playing rules, and sportsmanship. With the focus on maintaining the knowledge and skills necessary to provide a safe and positive experience for students and athletes, attendees benefit by receiving practical information they can put to immediate use. Knowledge of the activity, supervision, sportsmanship, and cross sport considerations are focal points in promoting learning and reducing injuries. Students learn safe game and activity skills from teachers who use an enhanced appreciation of their legal responsibilities as a springboard to maintaining a safer environment.

  REPRESENTATIVE SEMINAR/WORKSHOP TOPICS

  Alan's presentations encompass a wide variety of topics in the areas of sport and the law, association and business law, and related subjects. Below is a sampling:

    · Athletic Codes of Conduct: Does Your Program Have One? Does Your Program Need One?   · Background Checks: Evil or Necessary?   · Board Secretary's Round Table   · Business Associations Law   · Criminal Background Checks -- In Your Board's Future?   · Defending Your Officials - A Practical Guide for IAABO Boards   · Employee or Independent Contractor? Who's What and Who Cares?   · "I'd Have To Be Unconscious" -- Officiating the New Concussion Rules   · Incorporating Your Association   · Intramural Sports, Liability, and Officiating: A Practical Guide   · Justice on the Court   · Legal Issues in Lacrosse Officiating   · Legal Issues in Lacrosse Umpiring   · Legal Aspects of Voluntary Associations   · Legal Issues in Sport Medicine   · Legislating Sportsmanship: Athletic Codes of Conduct   · Liability of Basketball Officials   · Little League Laws and Other Statutory Immunity   · Managing the Fight - The Legal Issues   · Managing Your Board's Exposure to Liability   · Officiating Safely: A Referee's Guide to Risk Management   · "Officiating to a Legal Standard"   · Out of Their League: Sanctions, Expulsions, And Due Process in Nonprofit Sports Organizations   · Play by the Rules: Utilize Game Officials to Better Manage Risk   · Recruitment and Training of IAABO Basketball Officials   · Risk Management and Liability for Coaches and Recreation Professionals   · Risk Management and Liability for Physical Education Teachers and Coaches   · Risk Management and Liability Workshop for Physical Education and Athletics   · Risk Management and the Role of Game Officials   · Risk Management for Football Officials   · Risk Management for IAABO Basketball Officials   · Risk Management for Referees Before and After the Game   · Role of Game Officials in Risk Management: What Every Coach, Athletic Director and Recreator Should Know   · Sizing Up the Competition: Legal Liability for Mismatches in Athletic Events   · Sport and the Law   · Teaching Sportsmanship: Practical Guidelines   · Ten Ways to Increase Your Association's Exposure to Liability   · The Changing Face of Sport Law: Key Concepts in a Soft Discipline   · The Other Equity - Legal Requirements For Injunctive Relief   · Violence, Rage and Liability in Amateur Sports   · Volunteer Immunity Revisited: Does it Take an Act of Congress?   · Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 - What You Need to Know   · Water: A Legal Parable   · What Every Professional Should Know about the Law   · What the Law Doesn't Say: Myths and Misconceptions of Sport Law  

  For Upcoming Seminars, click here

• ORGANIZATIONS SERVED

  Alan Goldberger has appeared before sports organizations, educational institutions, and professional associations throughout the nation, including:

  Abington PIAA Basketball Officials American Bar Association Athletic Trainers' Society of New Jersey Atlantic 10 Conference/Patriot League Officiating Developmental Camp Bergen County Baseball Umpires Association, Inc. California Basketball Officials Association Camden District Board of Officials Cardinal Basketball Officials Association Central Pennsylvania Basketball Officials Association Connecticut Concussion Conference Cum-Cape Basketball Officials Association Fairleigh Dickinson University Florida High School Athletic Association Garden-Empire Volleyball Association, Inc. Georgia High School Association International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, Inc. Kentucky High School Athletic Association Livingston Public Schools Louisiana High School Officials Association Medical Society of New Jersey Millburn Public Schools Missouri State High School Activities Association Montclair State University National Association for Girls and Women in Sport National Association for Sport and Physical Education National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) National Sports Concussion Coalition National Intramural Recreational Sports Association National Parks and Recreation Association National Sports Concussion Coalition New Jersey Council of Administrators of Health and Physical Education New Jersey Football Officials Association New Jersey Recreation and Parks Association New Jersey State Baseball Umpires Association, Inc. New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association North Brunswick Township Public Schools Oceanside School District PIAA District IV Football Officials Clinic Phil Fox IAABO Basketball Clinic Philadelphia Police Athletic League Police Athletic League National Convention Professional Association of Volleyball Officials (PAVO) Rockland County College Rutgers University School and Community Safety Society of America School District of South Orange & Maplewood Seton Hall Preparatory School Seton Hall University Shore Board #194 of Basketball Officials Society for the Study of Legal Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity Temple University Texas Association of Sports Officials Texas University Interscholastic League Tri-County Officials Association US Lacrosse National Convention Officials’ Councils

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  RECENT ARTICLES BY ALAN GOLDBERGER

• "Concussion Calls" by Alan Goldberger was published in the August 2024 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Eight to Replicate" by Alan Goldberger was published in the July 2024 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Bling Ban Breakdown" by Alan Goldberger was published in the June 2024 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Washington Poised to Join Numerous States Imposing Criminal Penalties for Assaulting Sports Officials" was published in the March, 2024 issue of Sports Litigation Alert.

• "It's in My Report" by Alan Goldberger was published in the February 2024 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Not-So-Uniform Uniforms" by Alan Goldberger November 2023 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Injury Imperatives" by Alan Goldberger was published in the June 2023 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Officiating the Game and the Bleachers, Redux" by Alan Goldberger was published in the March 2023 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Outside Court Boundaries” by Alan Goldberger was published in the August 2022 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Exception Acceptance” by Alan Goldberger was published in the April 2022 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Device Dispute" by Alan Goldberger was published in the March 2022 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Concussions Critical" by Alan Goldberger was published in the February 2022 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "On Bad Terms" by Alan Goldberger was published in the April 2021 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Be Careful What You Sign" by Alan Goldberger was published in the April 2021 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Defamation - Can I Sue?" by Alan Goldberger was published in the March 2021 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Pandemic Waiver Warning" by Alan Goldberger was published in the September 2020 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Returning to Officiating in the Wake of Covid-19/Your Legal Rights and Responsibilities" by Alan Goldberger was published in the July-August 2020 issue of IAABO Sportorials.

• "It's the Law. Really." by Alan Goldberger was published in the April 2020 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Liability Checklist" by Alan Goldberger was published in the February 2020 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "There Is No Substitute for Knowing the Rules" by Alan Goldberger was published in the December/January 2019-2020 issue of "The Rebound" newsletter of the North Jersey Board of Approved Basketball Officials, Inc.

• "Discipline Delivery" by Alan Goldberger was published in the December 2019 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "First Watch" by Alan Goldberger was published in the November 2019 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Tune-Up for the New Season" by Alan Goldberger was published in the October 2019 issue of "The Rebound" newsletter of the North Jersey Board of Approved Basketball Officials, Inc.

• "Officiating the High School Game in 2020/Legal Awareness On and Off the Court/ The Importance of 'One Rule, One Interpretation' by Alan Goldberger was published in the September-October 2019 issue of IAABO Sportorials.

• "The Check is in the Mail" by Alan Goldberger was published in the September 2019 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Ejection Overturned" by Alan Goldberger was published in the July 2019 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Who Employs Officials?" by Alan Goldberger was published in the March 2019 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "'Safe Sport' and Sports Officials" by Alan Goldberger was published in the February 2019 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "The First Rule of Officiating...and Other Late Season Reminders" by Alan Goldberger was published in the February 2019 issue of "The Rebound" newsletter of the North Jersey Board of Approved Basketball Officials, Inc.

• "The IAABO Official's Pre-Season Pre-Game" by Alan Goldberger was published in the October 2018 issue of "The Rebound" newsletter of the North Jersey Board of Approved Basketball Officials, Inc.

• "The First Rule of Officiating...and Other Late Season Reminders" by Alan Goldberger was published in the February 2018 issue of "The Rebound" newsletter of the North Jersey Board of Approved Basketball Officials, Inc.

• "NJSIAA Rules Modifications, Mechanics and Managing Risk - 2019" by Alan Goldberger was published in the December 2018 issue of "The Rebound" newsletter of the North Jersey Board of Approved Basketball Officials, Inc.

• "A Partner Short" by Alan Goldberger was published in the November 2018 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Stop the Fight Before It Happens" by Alan Goldberger was published in the October 2018 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "How to Handle Sexual Harassment Allegations" by Alan Goldberger was published in the September 2018 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Between a Rock and a Hard Place" by Alan Goldberger was published in the August 2018 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Independent or Not" by Alan Goldberger was published in the July 2018 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "When is the Game Over?" by Alan Goldberger was published in the June 2018 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Talk to Attorney? Might Not Be a Good Idea" by Alan Goldberger was published in the August 2017 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Let the Media Handle the Postgame Commentary" by Alan Goldberger was published in the March 2017 issue of "Referee Magazine."

• "Football Player’s Death Results in Lawsuit" by Alan Goldberger was published in the May 2015 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Court: Upon Further Review, the Referee’s Call Stands" was published in the January 23, 2015 issue of "Sports Litigation Alert."

• "Is This Document Worth Saving?" was published in the April 2014 issue of "On Board" – the newsletter of the National Association of Sports Officials.

• "Team Effort Needed When It Comes to Managing the Risk of Concussion on the Field and on the Court" by Alan Goldberger was published in the March, 2014 issues of "Sports Litigation Alert" and "Concussion Litigation Reporter."

• "Concussions: Officiate the Rule" by Alan Goldberger was published in the January 2014 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Independent Contactors: Fact or Fiction?" by Alan Goldberger was published in the July 2013 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Get Your Association’s Legal House in Order" by Alan Goldberger was published in the February 2013 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "Too Often, Loudmouths Are Celebrated" appeared in the December 2012 issue of "Sportorials," published by the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, Inc.(IAABO). Alan Goldberger is legal counsel and parliamentarian of IAABO.

• "7 Things You Must Know About Game Contracts" by Alan Goldberger was published in the December 2012 issue of Referee Magazine.

• October 12, 2012: Alan Goldberger was a contributing author in the New York Times' opinion page feature, "Room for Debate." In "Room for Debate" the New York Times invites knowledgeable outside contributors to discuss news events and other timely issues. The topic was "Do Rowdy Fans Need a Timeout?"

• "Association Disruption Leads to Suspension" by Alan Goldberger appeared in the July 2012 issue of "It's Official," a newsletter published by the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO).

• "Rough Game May Just Be the Start" by ALAN GOLDBERGER appeared in the May 2012 issue of Referee Magazine.

• "The Right Disclpline Procedures" by Alan Goldberger appeared in the March/April 2012 issue of "Sportorials," published by the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, Inc.(IAABO). Alan Goldberger is legal counsel and parliamentarian of IAABO.

• Alan Goldberger's "Five Point Plan to Limit Liability" was featured in the January 2012 "It’s Official" Newsletter for members of the National Association of Sports Officials.

• "Litigation: Do You Really Get It?" By ALAN GOLDBERGER appeared in the JULY 2012 issue of Referee Magazine.

• ALAN GOLDBERGER'S "Five-Point Plan To Limit Your Liability" appeared in the January 2012 issue of "It's Official," a newsletter published by the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO).
  
   View Alan S. Goldberger's Presentation and Media Archive (pdf)

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Alan S. Goldberger 75 Lane Rd, Suite 206 P.O. Box 11084 Fairfield, NJ 07004-1044 Telephone: 973-301-1900  •  973-471-9200  •  212-401-6900 Facsimile: 973-836-0201

Copyright © Alan S. Goldberger 1999-
All Legal Rights Reserved.

Alan S. Goldberger
http://www.RefLaw.com