Law professor Moraima “Mo” Ivory usually invites celebrities like Steve Harvey, Ludacris, and Rick Ross to her Georgia State University classroom for entertainment legal discussions once a year. However, this year, Ivory is taking her class on a unique journey to the Paris Olympics, moving the lesson from Atlanta to Paris for the Summer Games.
Ivory and her law students, funded primarily by a generous donation from Delta Airlines, will travel to the Olympics in late July for a week-long, all-expenses-paid trip. The students, enrolled in her Legal Life course, will focus on studying the business and legal aspects related to the Olympics.
The director of the school’s entertainment, sports, and media law program, Ivory expressed her interest in delving into the sports world this time. Guest speakers during the semester included the general counsel of the U.S. Olympic Committee, Olympian Edwin Moses, and civil rights icon Andrew Young, who was the mayor of Atlanta during the 1996 Summer Olympics.
After an enriching semester, Ivory and over 30 students will explore the Olympic Village, visit Team USA House, attend the opening ceremony, and engage in various Olympic-related activities in Paris. The trip aims to provide an immersive educational experience for the students, exposing them to real-world scenarios in sports and entertainment law.
Hannah Nodar, one of Ivory’s students, is excited about the opportunity to learn more about security regulations and sponsorship deals, hoping to pursue a career in sports and entertainment law. Nodar highlighted the value of practical education, emphasizing the importance of understanding legal concepts beyond textbooks.
Ivory’s course, which began in 2019, has featured guest speakers like Ludacris, Kandi Burress, Steve Harvey, and others, offering students insights into negotiating deals, contracts, and legal issues behind popular brands. Delta Airlines swiftly agreed to sponsor the Olympic trip after Ivory’s pitch, supporting the initiative along with donations from alumni of Georgia State’s law school.
Through her connections and experiences in the entertainment and media industries, Ivory aims to enhance her students’ educational journey by providing unique and valuable opportunities. One of her students, Ayanna Grant, praised Ivory’s inspirational journey as an attorney and the valuable experiences gained through the course.
Grant, along with her classmates, sees the Olympic trip as a chance to network and build international connections, potentially opening doors for future career opportunities. The once-in-a-lifetime experience at the Paris Olympics is expected to not only educate but also create lasting impressions and connections for the aspiring lawyers.
