Allison Hushek

x-WPT, Allied Esports, ABC, LG, Uni. Seasoned in-house legal professional with over 25 years of experience advising public & private companies in the tech, entertainment, sports, gaming & CPG industries around the globe

United States

About

TESTIMONIALS: “Since 2004, Allison helped the World Poker Tour raise valuations and expedite transaction timelines throughout multiple M&As and rounds of financing over the years. She is without question one of the most effective legal professionals I have known in 20 years. I highly recommend her services.” -Adam Pliska, CEO | President, World Poker Tour “I’ve received advice from Allison about nontraditional revenue streams that provide out-of-the-box ideas. Her consulting services offer companies opportunities for stability and growth.” -Jon Brockett, Executive Producer, SAG Awards Show “The systems Allison implements for in-house legal operations are crucial to long-term success of the business. I endorse the use of her services.” -Ed Choi, Director | Products Law Group, Apple “Allison successfully implemented the use of a variety of contractual templates for years, which helped achieve business objectives, protect intellectual property ownership, contain transactional costs and reduce liability. Her consulting services are valuable to any in-house business & legal affairs group.” -Shaun Clark, Partner, Sheppard Mullin “Allison is a true team player, collaborating on projects with all levels of staff. I recommend hiring Playbook Law for your next legal consultation.” -Kaitlin Peterson, Lead Counsel, Unnamed Fortune 100 Social Technology Company “You want your lawyer to be nonjudgmental and unassuming so there’s an open flow of communication about legal issues that can be prevented or mitigated. Allison offers this approach for companies so they reach their full potential for success.” -Lorin Herzfeldt, Counsel, Unnamed S&P 500 Video Game Developer “In our line of work, it’s imperative to have legal team members with experience conducting business in multiple countries around the world. Allison has been dealmaking and performing regulatory work internationally for decades, and she would be an asset to any company in need of legal consulting services.” -James Elliott, Director | Customer Ombudsman, Entain “Allison built her expertise in the gaming, tech, entertainment and sports industries over two and a half decades. She trains new lawyers who have a passion in these fields so niche skills are maintained for the next generation.” -Scott Gaffield, GC | Coaching Agent, Athletes First “Allison is a highly organized and efficient professional. She is mindful about a company’s budget restrictions and tailors her services accordingly.” -Christiane Engel, SVP | Credit Products Group - Corporate & Institutional Banking, PNC Financial Services Group

Experience

  • Founder | CEO - In-House Services From the Outside at Playbook Law, PC
    Jan 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 6 mos

    Solo firm offering professional legal consulting services in the tech, entertainment, gaming, sports, apparel, CPG and F&B industries ● Perform in-house counsel services from the outside for funded startups & established companies ● Provide legal, business & operational consulting services for funded startups preparing for M&As, rounds of financing and IPOs to raise valuations and reduce transaction timelines

  • Maternity Leave Fill-In for EVP, Business & Legal Affairs at Lionsgate
    Jan 2024 - May 2024 · 5 mos

    Motion picture and television production studio ● Negotiated and drafted license agreements for the Live & Location-Based Entertainment (including real estate), Games & Consumer Products division; reviewed press releases and marketing materials ● Managed team of 2

  • General Counsel; Business, Legal + Compliance Advisor at Allied Esports
    Aug 2019 - Feb 2021 · 1 yr 7 mos

    Parent company to the World Poker Tour and Allied Esports brands offering live event and online gaming experiences in the poker and esports worlds on a global scale ● Prepared World Poker Tour for acquisition by growth equity fund, Element Partners, in 2021, valuing $105 million - a 200% increase from 2015 acquisition ● Provided strategic advice for complex domestic & international business deals, directed SEC filings, served on the management team, set internal governance policies, oversaw risk management, and supervised regulatory compliance systems - including privacy policies (GDPR, CCPA) ● Negotiated and drafted various esports deals including influencer appearances with gamers such as Ninja, launch of the platform for online tournaments, construction agreements for HyperX Arena build at the Luxor and lease agreements for additional gaming centers; oversaw entity formations, litigation matters and IP portfolio ● Managed team of 6

  • Adjunct Professor, Gaming | Technology | Entertainment | Sports at University of California, Irvine School of Law
    Aug 2019 - Jun 2020 · 11 mos

    ● Taught GaTES courses: Gaming, Technology, Entertainment & Sports Law

  • General Counsel | EVP, Business & Legal Affairs at World Poker Tour®
    Sep 2004 - Aug 2019 · 15 yrs

    Parent company to the World Poker Tour brand and television program broadcast globally in over 150 countries and territories offering WPT merchandise sales ● Led the World Poker Tour (WPT) through its initial IPO in 2004, its first acquisition by a London Stock Exchange entity affiliated with PartyPoker brand in 2009 (and later bwin brand) valuing $12 million, and subsequent acquisitions by Hong Kong listed social gaming company, Ourgame, in 2015 valuing $35 million (a 191% increase from 2009 acquisition) ● Negotiated and drafted various deals for talent | appearances (with poker legends such as Phil Ivey), production, license, sponsorship, distribution (over 150 markets worldwide), SaaS, new media | interactive, co-marketing, personnel, online gaming & casino and development; managed ad sales for FSN, marketing approvals and intellectual property portfolio; assisted in offshore entity formations for tax benefits; tracked legislation; oversaw launch of data privacy policy; drafted employee handbooks and reduced litigation ● Commenced WPT Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, and raised almost $50 million for various charities ● Managed team of 5