A tireless and forceful advocate, Aalok knows it takes the right combination of talent and hard work to be successful in and out of the courtroom.
Overview
Aalok is a seasoned commercial litigator and has represented defendants and plaintiffs in high stakes matters across the country. With over a decade of experience, Aalok has litigated and handled regulatory matters for individuals, small businesses and Fortune 500 companies, spanning a variety of industries, gaming, sports, retail, hospitality, and construction. Aalok has represented clients in complex and novel issues, involving trade secrets, fraud, breach of contract, consumer protection, and deceptive trade practices. In addition, he has experience representing clients in putative class actions and other complex proceedings involving numerous plaintiffs or defendants.
Aalok regularly counsels gaming industry clients, including commercial operators that offer iGaming, sports betting, fantasy sports, land based casinos, equipment and data suppliers, and others. He has defended his gaming clients in matters involving consumer class actions, loss recovery statutes, and consumer fraud statutes. In addition, Aalok advises clients on facets of gaming law, including compliance and regulatory matters.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Aalok worked as a certified public accountant in Washington, D.C. He assisted businesses with technical accounting issues involving footnote disclosure, revenue recognition, troubled debt restructuring and accounting for uncertain tax positions. Influenced by his deep financial acumen, Aalok is a business pragmatist, considering clients’ business goals with the backdrop of legal and regulatory risk.
Aalok is also a Co-Chair of the Firm’s Sports and Entertainment Practice. He was named as a ‘Leading Entertainment and Sports Lawyer of the Next Generation’ by The American Bar Association (ABA). Aalok is trusted by front offices and other industry stakeholders to provide counsel relating to the future of the sports and entertainment industry. A lifelong teacher and student, Aalok has spoken at innumerable industry conferences, including those in areas of esports, smart venue technology, data capture, and legalized sports wagering and integrity. At the University of Minnesota Law School, Aalok serves as an adjunct professor and educates law students in sports law, including coaching the Sports Law Moot Court team.
As a passionate fan and a legal advocate, Aalok understands that the business of sports goes beyond the field. He has served the local community as the Chair for the Minnesota Twins Community, and advocates for businesses with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, where he chairs the Workplace Management Policy Committee. Aalok has also volunteered with the Minnesota Zoo Foundation and the Sanneh Foundation. Aalok is an alum of the Leadership Minnesota Program with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
Experience
Gaming
Counsels gaming industry clients offering fantasy sports, iGaming, and sports betting, to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
Successfully represented defendants in class action litigation involving claims by plaintiffs that they were defrauded in fantasy sports contests due to alleged cheating by the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox. Aalok obtained dismissal of all claims against his client prior to discovery.
Provide counsel for gaming companies seeking patents for novel technologies associated with horse racing, sports betting, iGaming and fantasy sports.
Negotiated market access agreement for commercial gaming operators for iGaming and sports betting licenses.
Defended commercial operator and land based casino offering online gaming against breach of contract and consumer fraud claims across the United States.
Business Litigation
As trial counsel, obtained a complete victory on behalf of client during a seven-day jury trial in federal court. The case involved alleged breaches of a non-disclosure agreement, and claims that the client misappropriated trade secrets in order to form a competing product.
Obtained a temporary retaining order against a former employee and a competing business when proprietary business information and trade secrets were misappropriated as part of a scheme to replicate a client’s novel business plans.
Represented client in case involving violation of non-compete/non-solicitation agreements. Amicably settled case involving liquidated damages.
Represented property owner in dispute with general contractor for clouding title and violating Minnesota lien laws.
Represents owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors and others in matters involving construction defects, delays, disruptions, and lien and bond claims.
Argued multiple disputes before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
Sports and Entertainment
Represents professional and amateur sports teams in commercial matters involving contract negotiations, stadium operations, insurance, and other day-to-day matters.
Represented developer in construction of major league sports venue.
Represents esports organizations in negotiating and drafting commercial agreements, including venues, sponsors, and other vendors.
Represents coaches in formal proceedings with the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
Represents players and parents in conflicts with the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL).
Provides education and guidance to influencers, brands, and others dealing with issues related to name, image, and likeness (NIL).
Provide regulatory advice and counsel to sports and equipment manufacturers across different industries and sports, including football, lacrosse, hockey and cycling.
News & Insights
News
Speaking Engagements
Panelist, “The Metaverse: Risk, Rewards and Realities for Your Business,” Association of Corporate Counsel, March 30, 2023
Panelist, Global Gaming Expo, October 4-7, 2021
Panelist, “Gambling & Esports: Major Revenue Opportunities, Major Legal Risks,” Sports Lawyers Association Virtual Conference, May 21, 2021
Panelist, “Sports Law Forum,” Sports Law Weekly & New England Law, April 12, 2021
“How COVID-19 is Changing Technology,” Stinson LLP Webinar, February 9, 2021
Facilitator, “The New Parlay: Partnerships After Murphy,” ABA Forum on Sports, October 16, 2020
Panelist, “Esports Panel: The Convergence of Pro Sports, Music, Investment, Law, and Opportunities for You,” TerraLex Sports & Entertainment Virtual Meeting, October 1, 2020
Panelist, “Esports Panel,” SIPLA - University of St. Thomas Law School, September 25, 2020
“How COVID-19 is Changing Technology, Sports and the Law,” Association of Corporate Counsel Webinar, September 11, 2020
“Sports Gambling Update,” American Bar Association Forum on Entertainment and Sports, October 12, 2019
“Sports Betting and Banking,” Emerging Trends in the Banking Industry, September 2019
“Stinson LLP: Business Esports Law Panel,” Player Up – The Midwest’s Amateur eSports Tournament, August 2019
“Grab Some E-Pine with Michael Proman and Aalok Sharma,” Risk Radio, August 19, 2019
“Betting, Loot Boxes, and Gambling in Esports,” Esports Bar Association, June 10, 2019
“The Next Big Money Sports Trend: Legalized Sports Betting,” Club E Minneapolis, June 6, 2019
“Betting on the Business of Sports,” Sports Lawyers Association Reception, April 5, 2019
“Fast Data and Sports: How Sports Data is Reshaping How We Look at the World,” MCCA Global Tec Forum, April 4 - 5, 2019
“Esports Law 101: The Legal Side of Becoming Legitimate and Successful in the Esports Industry,” KCGameOn 2018, Kansas City, MO, November 30 - December 2, 2018
Publications
Founder, Editor and Author, “At the Corners Newsletter,” a quarterly publication that discusses relevant topics related to esports, sports technology and wagering.
Show Me the Tokens - Using Cryptographic Tokens to Activate Fans, 04.12.2022
The Anti-Cheating Movement: Ridding Esports of Cheats, 10.07.2021
Morality Clauses in Contracts Are Escape Hatches for Streaming Sponsors, 05.05.2021
The First Circuit Rules that the Wire Act Applies to Sports Betting Only, 05.05.2021
What’s Loot Got to do with It?, 11.11.2020
An Overview: Colorado’s Expansion into Legalized Sports Wagering, 11.11.2020
DMCA Takedown Notices: A New Opponent for Streamers, 10.15.2020
There is a Price for Athlete Data, 08.17.2020
Revisiting the Federal Wire Act on Appeal, 08.17.2020
“Esports Face Significant Legal Risk Over the Collection and Use of Biometric Data,” SportTechie, February 19, 2019
Tackling the Minnesota State High School League’s Transfer Eligibility Rules
06.11.2024
Show Me the Tokens - Using Cryptographic Tokens to Activate Fans
04.12.2022
The Anti-Cheating Movement: Ridding Esports of Cheats
10.07.2021
Morality Clauses in Contracts are Escape Hatches for Streaming Sponsors
05.05.2021
The First Circuit Rules that the Wire Act Applies to Sports Betting Only
05.05.2021
What’s Loot Got to do With It?
11.11.2020
An Overview: Colorado’s Expansion into Legalized Sports Wagering
11.11.2020
DMCA Takedown Notices: A New Opponent for Streamers
10.15.2020
There is a Price for Athlete Data
08.17.2020
Revisiting the Federal Wire Act on Appeal
08.17.2020
Recognitions
Recognitions
Named to the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America list, 2021-2025
Recognized on the Minnesota Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, 2016 - Present
Minnesota Lawyer Up & Coming Attorney, 2022
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Pathfinders Program, 2020
Leading Entertainment and Sports Lawyer of the Next Generation, American Bar Association, 2019
Minnesota State Bar Association Pro Bono Award, North Star Lawyer, 2014
Professional & Civic Activities
Professional & Civic Activities
Minnesota Twins Baseball Club Community Fund, Board of Directors, Past Chair, Governance Committee, 2019-2023
The Sanneh Foundation, Gala4Goals Host Committee, 2019- 2020
Minnesota Zoo Foundation, Associates Board of Directors, 2016-2020
American Bar Association, Forum on Sports & Entertainment, Sports Section Past Chair and Standing Committee Member
Sports Lawyers Association, Outreach Captain for Minnesota and Membership/Public Relations Committee Member
Chair, Workplace Management Policy Committee;
Member, Leadership Minnesota, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Vice President of Membership, 2016-2018
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- Minnesota
- California
- U.S. District Court, Colorado (inactive)
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Education
University of Minnesota, J.D., magna cum laude, 2013
Birmingham-Southern College, B.S., Accounting, cum laude, 2007
- Scholarship Member NCAA Division I Men's Cross Country/Track & Field, (2003-2007), MVP 2006
- 2005, 2006 Big South Conference Academic All Conference Team
