WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

• How a Good "Pre-Game" Can Help Avoid Liability
• The Key to Controlling Rough Play
• Taunting and Baiting
• The Art of Managing the Fight
• The Importance of Injury Mechanics, Including Officiating the "Concussion Rules."
• Why Officials Need to Enforce Equipment/Uniform Related Rules
• The Value of Preserving the Appearance of Impartiality
• Techniques to Manage Exposure to Liability after the Game

On Sunday, January 15, Alan will present "Protecting Your Local Association – For Officers and Board Members." This program, by invitation only is an introduction to the legal and business environment of administering lacrosse officiating programs.

NEWS!

National Association of Sports Officials Medallion Award.

Alan Goldberger was the recipient of the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) as its 2011 Mel Narol Medallion Award. The Award was presented on Aug. 2, 2011 during the Celebrate Officiating Gala at the annual NASO Sports Officiating Summit. Alan Goldberger is the 10th recipient of the Medallion. The award recognizes an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to the betterment of NASO. Contributions might include, but are not limited to, organizational leadership, education and training and promotion of officiating.

"Al Goldberger is special," NASO President Barry Mano said. "He has merged his passion for officiating with his expertise in the law. That merger uniquely positions him to provide the officiating community advice and assistance in an area that has become increasingly important to us."

"I can say without equivocation that over the past 20 years, Al has given back to officiating as much or more than anyone," Mano declared. "He is the leading legal advocate for all officials. He has worked tirelessly in support of NASO and its members. He richly deserves the Mel Narol Medallion Award." Previous recipients have been Jerry Seeman, retired NFL Senior Director of Officiating; Fox 40 International, makers of the Fox 40 whistle; Dick Honig, owner of Honig's Whistle Stop; Marcy Weston, retired national coordinator of NCAA women's basketball officiating; Bill Kolbe, retired attorney, business and legal advisor for NASO; Ed T. Rush, retired NBA referee and supervisor of officials; Ronnie Carter, retired executive director for the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association; and David Dodge, retired NCAA Division I basketball official.

From the Summit Brochure......

Current Legal Issues: Your Questions Answered

If you've got a legal question related to officiating or a question on risk management, we've got answers! Don't miss this open forum presentation of the NASO Member Information and Consultation Program (MICP). Alan Goldberger, the New Jersey lawyer/sports official who wrote the book, Sports Officiating: A Legal Guide, walks you through the late breaking legal issues related to officiating. Lowell Gratigny, American Specialty Insurance & Risk Services senior vice president of litigation management, and Don Collins, a lawyer and executive director of the San Francisco section of the California Interscholastic Federation, are also on hand to answer your questions.

CYA (Cover Your Association)

Special breakfast seminar exclusively for local associations leaders. Today's business and legal environment require local associations to be operated on sound organizational principles. To do otherwise is to put your association and its leadership in harm's way. The country's preeminent expert on sports officials and the law, attorney Alan Goldberger, will arm you with facts and guidance. Drew Smith, American Specialty Insurance Services vice-president, will provide you with everyone your association needs to understand concerning insurance and liabilities. They will arm you with facts, solutions and essential guidelines. A unique seminar opportunity for local association leaders.

Click for the...  [Summit Brochure]  

LATEST NEWS

• 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.

• December 2011, Alan Goldberger returned for his third A.M. Best Co. Insurance Law Podcast. In this episode, Alan discusses Athletic Codes of Conduct, and their importance to insurers. He begins with the historical precedents of today’s athletic codes including the 1963 Massachusetts’s statute that prohibited profanity or slander aimed at participants of the game or officials. Moving to more recent legislative action, Alan describes a variety of statutes which have been enacted over the last ten years that address specific codes of athletic conduct with an aim towards creating safeguards — including removing participants or spectators from a venue, bans on specific individuals returning to a venue until certain conditions have been met, or even requirements that spectators sign an agreement to adhere to athletic codes of conduct prior to attending an event.

  To listen or subscribe to the Insurance Law Podcast, please visit feeds2.feedburner.com/InsuranceLaw

• October 2011. Alan Goldberger presented "I'd STILL Have to be Unconscious – Officiating the New Concussion Rules" at the Interpretation Meetings of the North Jersey Board of Approved Basketball Officials No. 33; and the Cum-Cape District Board No. 196.

• October 2011. Alan Goldberger presented “Officiating Safely the IAABO Way – Managing Your Exposure to Liability" at theNew York City IAABO Boards Rules & Mechanics Seminar For NYC Metropolitan Basketball Officials, in Brooklyn, New York.

• October 2011. Alan Goldberger presented "The Concussion Rules: Legal and Liability Concerns" to the Claims Department at Markel Insurance Company, Glen Allen, Virginia.

• IAABO ANNUAL MEETING. Virginia Beach, Virginia
      On April 16, 2011 Alan Goldberger presented: "Defending Your Officials" -- a legal issues program for IAABO Local Board officers and members at the Annual Spring Meeting of International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, Inc. (IAABO), in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Founded in 1923, IAABO is the only organization of its kind in the world: a nonprofit service and professional organization managed by and for basketball referees. Alan Goldberger is Parliamentarian and legal counsel to the Association.

• US LACROSSE NATIONAL CONVENTION. Baltimore, Maryland
      On January 21, 2011, Alan Goldberger presented "I'd Have to Be Unconscious -- Officiating the New Concussion Rules" at the US Lacrosse National Convention in Baltimore, Maryland. US Lacrosse is the national governing body of lacrosse. US Lacrosse has more than 300,000 members in 63 regional chapters around the country. Through responsive and effective leadership, US Lacrosse strives to provide programs and services to inspire participation while protecting the integrity of the game.

• AAHPERD NATIONAL CONVENTION. SAN DIEGO, CA.
      On March 30, 2011 Alan Goldberger was a panelist in Legal Quadrivium XXI at the National Convention of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance in San Diego, California. The NAGWS Legal Quadrivium features presentations on diverse topics relating to the law of sport, recreation and/or physical activity. Each topic will be geared toward assisting practitioners to use the law as a management tool, with current and timely information provided by experts in the field. Following the presentations will be an open question and answer session in which all panelists participate.

• On December 16, 2010, A.M. Best Co. released an Insurance Law Podcast featuring Alan Goldberger discussing the impact of sports law on the insurance industry. Alan discusses the impact of sports-related concussions on the insurance industry; including the legal and insurance responsibilities related to risk management of sports-related injuries. Topics include the need for proper identification of concussive injuries, implementation of appropriate return-to-play protocols and the legal liability for injuries that may have been prevented by the application of reasonable care. The availability of alternative third-party coverage scenarios for student players is also discussed.

  To listen or subscribe to the Insurance Law Podcast, please visit [feeds2.feedburner.com/InsuranceLaw].

• December, 2010. PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OF VOLLEYBALL OFFICIALS (PAVO) NATIONAL CONVENTION/KANSAS CITY, MO.
      ALAN GOLDBERGER presented two programs at the National Convention of the Professional Association of Volleyball Officials: "Officiating Safely the PAVO Way: Managing Your Exposure to Liability" at the General Session; and, at a special session for PAVO local board chairs, "Protecting Your Association -- Legal Issues for PAVO Boards -- and their Officers." The Professional Association of Volleyball Officials establishes policies for all levels of certification, creates written and on-court examination procedures, disseminates information regarding rules, officiating techniques, and officiating opportunities, advocates for officials within the volleyball community, and provides training and certification opportunities on a national level. ALAN GOLDBERGER is special counsel to PAVO.

• 30 Who Made a Difference. In the November issue of Referee Magazine, ALAN GOLDBERGER was recognized as one of "30 Who Made a Difference" in recognition of the 30th anniversary of the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO). From the article..."NASO is the world’s largest organization for officials at every level and all sports, and the leading source of officiating education, programs and services, in part because of the impact the 30 have made." To read the article, published in "It's Official," click [HERE].

• October 2010. CARDINAL BASKETBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION. LEESBURG, VA.
      Alan Goldberger presented "I'd Have to Be Unconscious -- Officiating the New Concussion Rules" at the Fall Interpretation Meeting of the Cardinal Basketball Officials Association in Leesburg, Virginia. CBOA is a member of the Virginia High School League (VHSL), and is also Board #255 of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO).

• October 2010 CALIFORNIA BASKETBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION (CBOA) Executive Council. Alan Goldberger presented "I'd Have to Be Unconscious -- Officiating the New Concussion Rules" to the Executive Council of the California Basketball Officials Association. CBOA is California's statewide basketball officials association, served by over 3000 men and women officiating all basketball levels from Youth to Semi-Pro.

• October 2010. NORTH JERSEY BOARD OF APPROVED BASKETBALL OFFICIALS (IAABO BOARD 33). Alan Goldberger presented "I'd Have to Be Unconscious -- Officiating the New Concussion Rules" to more than 700 members of the IAABO Board 33 -- the North Jersey Board of Approved Basketball Officials, Inc. Board 33 of one of the largest IAABO Boards in the country.

• SEPTEMBER 2010 INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF APPROVED BASKETBALL OFFICIALS, INC (IAABO) FALL INTERPRETATION SEMINAR. Alan Goldberger presented "I'd Have to Be Unconscious -- Officiating the New Concussion Rules" for IAABO Interpreters at the Annual Fall Interpreters' Conference of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, Inc. (IAABO), in Portland, Maine.

• JULY, 2010 ... NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SPORTS OFFICIALS SUMMIT. Minneapolis, Minnesota.

  Referee Publications' Angie Weaver greets Alan Goldberger at the Exhibits

  
  ALAN GOLDBERGER was a featured speaker at three programs at the Annual Sports Officiating Summit in Minneapolis, Minnesota, entitled "Rights, Requirements, Risks -- The Shared Responsibility of Officiating," and presented by the National Association of Sports Officials in cooperation with the National Federation of State High School Associations and the Minnesota State High School League. In attendance were leaders of state high school officiating programs, local association officers, supervisors and coordinators, assigners, conference administrators and sports officials at all levels.

  From the Summit Brochure......

  Current Legal Issues: Your Questions Answered
  If you've got a legal question related to officiating or a question on risk management, we've got answers! Don't miss this open forum presentation of the NASO Member Information and Consultation Program (MICP). Alan Goldberger, the New Jersey lawyer/sports official who wrote the book, Sports Officiating: A Legal Guide, walks you through the late breaking legal issues related to officiating. Lowell Gratigny, American Specialty Insurance & Risk Services senior vice president of litigation management, and Don Collins, a lawyer and executive director of the San Francisco section of the California Interscholastic Federation, are also on hand to answer your questions.

  Protect Your Local Association and You
  Today's business and legal environment requires local associations to be operated on sound organizational principles. To do otherwise is to put your association and its leadership in harm's way. The country's preeminent expert on sports officials and the law, attorney Alan Goldberger, is the featured speaker. He will arm you with facts, solutions and essential guidelines. A unique seminar opportunity for local association leaders.

  AND...............................

  "I'd Have To Be Unconscious -- Officiating the New Concussion Rules." Are you ready with up-to-date mechanics for enforcing the new "concussion rules"? All associations need to be sure their officials practice good risk management skills in this area.

  Click [HERE] for the complete NASO Summit Program as a PDF.

• "SPORTS OFFICIATING: A LEGAL GUIDE 2nd Edition" by ALAN GOLDBERGER was featured in "7 Indispensible Books for Officials" in the August 2010 issue of "It's Official," a newsletter published by the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO)

• JULY 2010. "BEYOND THE GAME" WHITE PLAINS CHANNEL 76
  Alan Goldberger returned to White Plains, New York, Channel 76's program, "Beyond the Game" with host John Vorperian to discuss the latest legal issues in sports officiating.

• APRIL, 2010 ... IAABO ANNUAL MEETING. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
  Alan Goldberger presented: "I'd Have to Be Unconscious" -- a legal issues program for IAABO Local Board officers and members at the Annual Spring Meeting of International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, Inc. (IAABO), in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1923, IAABO is the only organization of its kind in the world: a nonprofit service and professional organization managed by and for basketball referees. Alan Goldberger is Parliamentarian and legal counsel to the Association.

• MARCH, 2010 AAHPERD NATIONAL CONVENTION. Indianapolis, IN.
  On March 17, 2010 Alan Goldberger served as Presider and a panelist, along with Linda Jean Carpenter and Neil Dougherty, in Legal Quadrivium XX at the National Convention of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance in Indianapolis, Indiana. The NAGWS Legal Quadrivium features presentations on diverse topics relating to the law of sport, recreation and/or physical activity. Each topic will be geared toward assisting practitioners to use the law as a management tool, with current and timely information provided by experts in the field. Following the presentations were a question and answer session in which all panelists participated.

• MARCH, 2010 Alan Goldberger presented "Officiating Safely: Risk Management and Liability for Referees & Umpires" at the AAHPERD National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. This session brings referees and umpires up to speed with the best practices in officiating. It is designed to manage their exposure to liability and help all officials assert their legal rights. Officials will also learn to use the rules to control dangerous play, as well as how to deal with fights, injuries, and equipment concerns while maintaining impartiality and control.

• On January 15, 2010 Alan Goldberger presented "Legal Issues in Lacrosse Officiating" at the US Lacrosse National Convention Men's Officials Council. This program was part of the Champion Speaker Series featured at the US Lacrosse National Convention in Baltimore, Maryland

• On October 20, 2009, Alan Goldberger presented "Officiating Safely - the IAABO Way" to the Camden District Board of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, Inc. in Lindenwold, New Jersey.

• On October 6, 2009, Alan Goldberger Presented: "Officiating Safely: Managing Your Exposure to Liability Before, During, and After the Game" to the Bergen County Soccer Officials Association in Saddle Brook, New Jersey.

• On September 12, 2009 Alan Goldberger presented "The IAABO Interpreter's Legal Inventory" at the Annual Fall Interpreters' Conference of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, Inc. (IAABO), in Cleveland, Ohio. Alan is Parliamentarian and legal counsel to the Association.

• On August 15, 2009 A.M. Best Co. has released an Insurance Law Podcast, featuring Alan Goldberger discussing the impact of sports law on the insurance industry. The Podcast series examines timely insurance issues from an attorney's point of view. A number of sports law cases wre reviewed, including a recently decided case involving a football coach permanently disabled after colliding with a referee. In that case, Alan Goldberger represented the National Association of Sports Officials who appeared as Amicus Curiae.

• On July 27, 2009 Alan Goldberger presented "Officiating to a Legal Standard" at the 26th Annual Sports Officiating Summit of the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) at the Marriott Star Pass Resort in Tucson, Arizona. Following that short presentation Alan presided at the popular program, "Hot Topics: Current Legal Issues" featuring Lowell T. Gratigny, Senior Vice President, Litigation, of American Specially Insurance Services and Donald C. Collins, Commissioner of Athletics for the California Interscholastic Federation, San Francisco Section. The Summit was held in cooperation with the National Federation of State High School Associations. In attendance were leaders of state high school officiating programs, local association officers, supervisors and coordinators, assigners, conference administrators and sports officials at all levels.

• On April 10, 2009 Alan Goldberger filed a Brief of Amicus Curiae with the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio, Texas on behalf of the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO). NASO's brief was submitted in support of five football officials who were sued as a result of a collision between a wing official and an assistant coach during a high school football game in Texas. The Court ultimately affirmed the decision of the trial court dismissing all claims aganst the officials. To read the complete story and the brief, click [here].

• On April 25, 2009 Alan Goldberger presented "Legal Points of Emphasis" at the Annual Meeting of International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, Inc. (IAABO), in Orlando, Florida. Alan is Parliamentarian and legal counsel to the Association.

• On April 1, 2009 Alan Goldberger presented "Water: A Legal Parable" at the National Convention of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) in Tampa, Florida. The presentation was part of "Legal Quadrivium XVIII," sponsored by the Legal Issues Committee of the National Association for Girls & Women in Sports. Alan is Chair of the Legal Issues Committee

• Alan Goldberger is the 2009 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award of The American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR) Risk Management Council. The award recognizes individuals and organizations outside the safety education profession making an outstanding and significant contribution to safety education . The award was presented at the National Convention of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) in Tampa, Florida.

• On March 7, 2009 Alan Goldberger was a guest on Fox News Channel's "Fox & Friends" to discuss new legislation proposed in the State of Rhode Island concerning a government council to oversee youth sports in the state.

• On January 17, 2009 Alan Goldberger was the keynote speaker at the 2009 US Lacrosse National Convention Men's Officials Council Program in Baltimore, Maryland. Later that day, Alan addressed the US Lacrosse Women's Officials Council on "Officiating Safely: Legal Issues in Lacrosse Umpiring."

• "SPORTS OFFICIATING: A LEGAL GUIDE 2ND EDITION" IS NOW AVAILABLE! Referee Books announces the publication of the all-new authoritative guide for referees and umpires, "Sports Officiating: a Legal Guide 2nd Edition," by Alan Goldberger. Contemporary officiating practice must be guided by the legal realities officials are confronted with when they take to the floor, field, diamond or pitch. This book is the definitive exposition of these new realities. Legal rights and responsibilities of game officials and officiating associations are featured. The "Guide" includes specific coverage of 10 sports: baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, track and field, volleyball and wrestling. For more information, click [here]

• "SPORTS OFFICIATING: A LEGAL GUIDE 2nd Edition" was the topic of "Publisher’s Memo" by Barry Mano in the May 2008 issue of Referee Magazine. To read "Publisher’s Memo" click [here].

• January, 2009. Congratulations to former Goldberger & Goldberger associate CHRISTINE KORMANIK, ESQUIRE. Christine is a contributing author of West Group's comprehensive legal treatise, California Business Law Deskbook, 2008-2009 ed. Christine is currently Senior Counsel to the Orange County Office of Allen, Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP.

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  ALAN GOLDBERGER SEMINARS AND APPEARANCES

• On December 20, 2008 Alan Goldberger discussed "SPORTS OFFICIATING: A LEGAL GUIDE 2nd Edition" and the legal climate of officiating with Pennsylvania State Senator and Attorney Bob Rovner on Bob's radio program "Bob Rovner Talks to the Stars" on WWDB Radio, in Philadelphia.

• On November 13, 2008 Alan Goldberger conducted a Liability Workshop for the Coaching and Physical Education staffs at the North Brunswick Township Public Schools in New Jersey, entitled "Risk Management and Liability for Coaches and Physical Education Teachers."

• On November 8, 2008, ALAN GOLDBERGER was a featured speaker at the IAABO Phil Fox Memorial Clinic in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania. "Officiating Safely the IAABO Way: A 5-Point Plan" was sponsored by the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials Charitable & Educational Foundation, Inc. The program included IAABO President Felix Addeo and IAABO Executive Director Tom Lopes.

• On September 12, 2008 ALAN GOLDBERGER presented "Legal Issues for IAABO Interpreters 2009" at the Annual Fall Seminar of International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, Inc. (IAABO), at the Annual Fall Seminar in Eatontown, NJ. Founded in 1923, IAABO is a nonprofit service and professional organization managed by and for basketball referees.

• On July 29, 2008 Alan Goldberger presented "Officiating to a Legal Standard" at the 26th Annual Sports Officiating Summit of the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio. Following that short presentation Alan presided at the popular program, "Hot Topics: Current Legal Issues" featuring Lowell T. Gratigny, Senior Vice President, Litigation, of American Specially Insurance Services and Donald C. Collins, Commissioner of Athletics for the California Interscholastic Federation, San Francisco Section. The Summit was held in cooperation with the National Federation of State High School Associations. In attendance were leaders of state high school officiating programs, local association officers, supervisors and coordinators, assigners, conference administrators and sports officials at all levels.

• Alan Goldberger recently appeared on "The Adam Taxin Show" on Philadelphia’s WNWR, to discuss sports officiating and the law.

• Alan Goldberger recently appeared on White Plains, New York, Channel 76's program, "Beyond the Game" with John Vorperian to discuss sports officiating and the law.

• Alan Goldberger has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Respect for Law Alliance, Inc. (RFLA). The RFLA was established to cultivate respect for law, to inform Americans concerning the Federal and State judicial systems as one of the three branches of constitutional state and federal government, and to inform the public of the roles of judges, jurors, lawyers and law enforcement personnel in America's justice systems. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors, Alan has been appointed Chair of the newly established RFLA Sports Law Committee. He also has been named to serve on the RFLA Committee for a Strong and Independent Judiciary chaired by New York State Supreme Court Justice Joseph S. Levine.

• ALAN GOLDBERGER is the 2007 recipient of the Honor Award of The American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR) for meritorious service in safety with outstanding or innovative contributions to the field of safety at national, regional, or state levels through research, education, and programming. The award was presented at the National Convention of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) in Baltimore, Maryland.

• From the Deseret Morning News, August 1, 2005 -- Article featuring "Better Talk to a Lawyer" at NASO Officiating Summit:

  "OFFICIALS DEAL WITH MORE RESPONSIBILITY"

  In Scott Maxfield's 28 years of officiating basketball and football, the prevailing sentiment has always been that if a fight breaks out during a high school sporting event, an official should just write down jersey numbers and handle the ejections...

  Read the FULL STORY

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