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Jasmine Butler, a December 2019 graduate of Widener University Commonwealth Law School, is a testament to the power of resilience and the pursuit of one’s passions. As Associate Counsel for Tepper Sports & Entertainment, Jasmine has navigated a successful career for herself in the competitive world of sports and entertainment law. Tepper Sports & Entertainment, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, owns and operates the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, Major League Soccer’s Charlotte Football Club, and Bank of America Stadium.

Looking back on her journey, Butler reflects on the God-given dream that took root early in life. “At the age of five, I knew that I wanted to be a lawyer, but it wasn’t until senior year of high school that I realized sports law was my calling,” she shares. Inspired by her father’s dedication to his craft, she adopted his approach and applied it to her own path. “Seeing the light in his eyes every time he picked up a basketball, I knew I wanted to love what I do as much as he loved playing sports,” Butler shares. 

While on her journey to practicing sports law, Butler was able to develop the skills necessary to win in this field during her time in law school. She accredits this to the guidance of several of her professors who believed in her potential. The Legal Methods and Contracts courses, as well as Contract Negotiation, provided the initial proficiencies that set the stage for her future success. She credits Professor Amanda Sholtis for honing her legal research and writing skills after winning the Runner-Up Award for Oral Argument during her time in Professor Sholtis’ Legal Methods II course.

 Simultaneously, during her Contracts course, Professor Kearney shined a light on her contract drafting and affirmed her lifelong dream to work in sports law. After earning the CALI Award in then-Professor Christopher Robinette’s Torts course, Butler attributes him with further support and encouragement. These professors not only imparted critical knowledge but also contributed to the confidence Butler would soon channel to pursue her goals.

Butler’s time in law school was marked by personal challenges, including the devastating loss of her father several weeks before her final semester. His passion for sports directly inspired her interest in sports law. During this difficult period, then-Professor Christopher Robinette became a source of solace for her. “His support meant more than words can express,” Butler reflects, acknowledging his steady presence during her grief, particularly at her graduation ceremony.

Inspired by her father’s legacy and fueled by her own determination, Butler has found fulfillment at Tepper Sports & Entertainment. “I have the privilege to learn from, and work alongside, some of the best and brightest attorneys in the industry,” she says. In her role, Butler applies her legal research and writing skills, litigation experience, and problem-solving abilities. “It’s truly a blessing to wake up every day, love what I do, who I do it with, and the organization I do it for.” 

Beyond her legal practice, Butler’s creative side shines through in her love for writing and affinity toward sports. Passionate about both reading and writing, she authored the first edition of her book series, The Pocketbook Series: Tackling Football, a guide designed to educate and empower women. “It has helped women nationwide get a foundational understanding of football and promotes the presence of women in sports,” Butler explains. Through this project, she bridges her legal career with her desire to help others traverse the world of sports and spark an interest towards what some women consider intimidating. 

 Although her father’s death was one of the greatest challenges she has ever faced, Butler attributes her father’s impact as evident not only in how she approaches her craft but in how she approaches life. She likens her mindset to that of a great athlete: “To excel, you have to be relentless. That’s precisely what I strive to embody.” Butler hopes her life serves as a reminder to recent law school graduates, and anyone working towards their dream, that it is impossible to fail if you never quit. She considers fulfilling her purpose as, “beyond rewarding” and what she describes as, “the best way to show gratitude for the dream you’ve been given.”