Sports and Government: A Perfect Blend for Second Year Law Student

January 2007

What’s it like working with a boxing promoter? “Very interactive and never boring” says Tamara Toussaint, a 2L at UM who had the opportunity of interning with Warrior's Boxing Promotions in Hollywood, FL. With the promoter, Tamara drafted agreements between fighter, promoter and manager; assisted in building strong relationships with fighters and helped in building fighters into reputable commodities. “I attended every fight that I promoted and I had a promoter’s pass which allowed me to roam the floor during fights.”

Some of the challenges Tamara found in her internship were dealing with difficult personalities. “Unfortunately, in sports, the athletes are not sophisticated contracting parties which sometimes gets them into trouble after the contract has been executed.” In order to be successful in sports law, Tamara feels it takes someone who is very personable.“You have to be able to talk to anyone about anything and be strong willed but know when to bend.”

While interning at Warrior’s, Tamara also worked for the City Attorney for the City of Hialeah. “I reviewed worker’s compensation documents for correct calculations based on city, state and national standards and drafted settlement agreements for the appropriation of properties in Hialeah.” Tamara also drafted and revised land development ordinances for the City. “Working in government is completely different from working in a corporate environment. The resources are much less so you have to be creative in how to disperse them and still get the work done in an efficient manner.”

Tamara graduated from the University of Michigan with a BA in History and a minor in French. While at Michigan, Tamara did a lot of community service activities. “I worked with foster kids in an after school program and I also volunteered at a pre-school.” Tamara grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and most recently lived in New York City where she worked as a paralegal.

While at UM Law School, Tamara has been involved in the Black Law Students Association, Business Law Council and the Entertainment and Sports Law Society. Tamara chose UM because of the course offerings in sports law, the Entertainment and Sports Law Society, as well as the weather and the beach.

Although Tamara is still trying to decide what type of law to practice, she would like a job in which she gets to “interact with people all the time and not be trapped behind a desk all day.” In her spare time Tamara enjoys traveling, cooking and watching sports.

Tamara has just started working with the law firm of Walton, Jones & Browne P.L. which specializes in condominium law.