Ryan E. Abelman '15

Professor Abelman serves as Counsel at LA28, the organization responsible for planning and delivering the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. As a member of LA28’s legal team, he advises the organization on commercial and marketing matters and negotiates a broad range of agreements with business and strategic partners, including sponsorship, supply, licensing, activation, marketing, and other operational agreements. His work supports the organization as it prepares to host the world’s premier sporting event in Los Angeles.

Prior to joining LA28, Professor Abelman served as Counsel, Business & Legal Affairs for Nickelodeon, where he negotiated and drafted production agreements and advised the network on a wide range of entertainment and production-related legal matters. Previously, he served as in-house counsel and Head of Legal for Abrams Artists Agency, advising the agency and its executives on talent agreements, employment matters, and corporate legal issues.

Professor Abelman teaches the Entertainment & Media Externship at Southwestern Law School, bringing his experience as an in-house entertainment and commercial attorney into the classroom. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science – Pre-Law from Michigan State University and his J.D. from Southwestern Law School, where he graduated cum laude. While at Southwestern, he was a member and co-chair of the Negotiation Honors Program and served as a peer mentor. Before pursuing a career in entertainment law, Professor Abelman spent a brief period performing stand-up comedy.

Professor Abelman also serves as a City Commissioner on the City of Redondo Beach Harbor Commission. He is an avid Pittsburgh sports fan, vinyl record collector, and enjoys golf and spending time outdoors in the South Bay, where he lives with his wife, daughter, son, and dog.