Dolores F. Dibella
Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs @National Football League (NFL)
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WORK HISTORY
Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs @National Football League (NFL)
New York, NY, US
As SVP of Legal Affairs for the NFL and its Member Clubs, I navigate complex legal challenges and develop solutions that drive the business forward and shape the future of sports. I oversee a talented team of legal professionals, ensuring that our legal strategies align with the NFL’s business goals and growth trajectory. My practice spans a landscape of varied business issues from competition and antitrust claims, large-scale litigation and class actions, investigations, media, technology, and safeguarding the League’s intellectual property on a global scale.Key Contributions:Litigation Leadership: Leads large-scale litigation, arbitration, investigations and dispute resolution across class actions, antitrust, commercial, privacy, technology, employment, security and more. Directs jury trials, regulatory investigations, and crafts organization-wide legal strategies. Oversees appellate matters at all levels, including before federal circuits and the U.S. Supreme Court, shaping legal precedent and influencing industry-wide outcomes. Business & Risk Management: Advises executives on risk mitigation, policies, and regulatory compliance. Negotiates high-value technology, media, and licensing agreements that help shape the League’s business strategy.Intellectual Property & Brand Protection: Manages global trademark and copyright portfolios for the League and all Member Clubs, spearheading anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy enforcement for marquee events like the Super Bowl. Partners with law enforcement on IP protection efforts.Pro Bono Initiatives: Leads pro bono legal clinics on voting rights, veterans\' rights, and community service programs for students. Directed the League’s participation in amicus brief supporting the Equal Rights Amendment.Cross-Functional Collaboration: Works closely with business departments, public relations and government affairs teams, ensuring integrated strategies that protect the League’s media and business interests.
EDUCATION
Columbia University School of Law
Juris Doctor (J.D.)
Georgetown University
Bachelor of Arts (Government)
ABOUT DOLORES F. DIBELLA
Dolores DiBella has built her legal career at the apex of litigation, risk management, and intellectual property —helping companies navigate complex legal issues, stay ahead of evolving industries and technology, and protect their brands.During her law firm practice years, she handled high-stakes litigation for global brands, music labels, and performers, building a foundation in commercial and IP disputes. That experience led Dolores to the NFL, where for the past 13+ years, she has served as a trusted legal advisor to the League and its Member Clubs.At the NFL, Dolores has built an exceptional in-house legal team, where they tackle challenges across antitrust, class actions, commercial litigation, employment law, intellectual property, and emerging digital trends in privacy and technology. She thrives in fast-paced environments where legal strategy is a business advantage. She is experienced at navigating urgent, high-profile matters in the public eye, bringing together stakeholders to protect business interests and manage critical events. Dolores has been lauded as strategic, unflappable, pragmatic, and tactical—she focuses on results and brings a collaborative approach to every challenge.Beyond her casework, Dolores is passionate about fostering a culture where people feel empowered to ask questions and share ideas. She’s had the privilege of lecturing at law and business schools, providing testimony to government caucuses, and being invited to speak at numerous public events like the annual Super Bowl press conference and The 5th Annual Sports Power Brunch, Celebrating the Most Powerful Women in Sports, among many others. Her career milestones have been featured in Modern Counsel, Profile Magazine, and Vanguard Law Magazine.What People Are Saying:\"Dolores simply knows her stuff. She knows the law, she knows the business, and she makes great strategic decisions. I love working with her.\"— Dale Cendali, Partner at Kirkland & Ellis\"Dolores personifies the rare combination of a super smart, yet practical lawyer, who never loses sight of the human aspect of any legal issue. When dealing with her, you are always motivated to bring your A-game because you know that she will.\"— Elise M. Bloom, Partner at Proskauer Rose LLP
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