Time to Slow Down and Smell the Roses

The start of Q2 has been a nice break from the constant launches, trips, and events! It’s given me and my team a chance to slow down, refocus, and lay the groundwork for what’s ahead. While I love the hustle, a little breathing room is always welcome—and we're excited to use this momentum to level up in the months to come.

UM Global Entertainment and Sports Conference

I had such an amazing time at the University of Miami Global Entertainment and Sports Industry Conference. Check out a quick glimpse of my time there in my recap and my assistant’s DIML! 

It’s still rare to see law schools truly embrace the creator economy and empower students to explore paths beyond the traditional legal industry—but the University of Miami School of Law and their Entertainment and Sports Law Society (ESLS) are doing it right. They even have an LLM dedicated to Entertainment, Art and Sports Law - which everyone thinks I was a part of but alas, maybe one day.

I missed the Conference last year, but I made sure not to miss it this time—and it did NOT disappoint. The room was full of energy, talent, and real opportunity. I told as many law students as I could to RSVP ASAP—and if you’re a student interested in this space, put it on your radar for next year!

I was able to network with so many professors, attorneys, and law students from Miami and beyond. I reconnected with some friends that I’ve made in the space who travel from across the US and I got to meet pre-law and law students from across Miami who have been supporting my content and journey online and it was surreal.

It’s always so nice to support my friends and community in their panel discussions and get together to share the ups and downs of life in law, especially as minorities and women. 

A few of my fave moments from the Conference were:

• Discussions on the future of NIL, feature THE Bernie Kosar 

• A conversation with Brian Steel, Young Thug’s lawyer on art and music as evidence in a trial

• Hearing Doug Baldrige, the attorney who represented Taylor Swift in her 2017 SA case against ex-radio DJ David Mueller, share his advice for rising lawyers - 

  • A lawyer in this space needs to know 5 things: Copyrights, Trademarks, Contracts, Rights of Publicity and for the life of me I can’t remember the last thing (oops) and 

  • How important it is to balance your clients reputation and the need to win/getting damages in court of public opinion against the true purpose of representing them: ensuring the CLIENT is protected at all costs and their objectives in litigating are met

    • AKA sometime maybe litigation or putting the case in the court of public opinion isn’t the best mov

Days like this remind me why I love what I do, even when it can be a lot to be a trailblazer—and how powerful it is when legal education meets innovation!

The LATEST on TikTok

ICYMI: We have an update. I shared a full breakdown on LinkedIn on Monday and I have a carousel coming to Instagram tomorrow so I’ll give you a recap here.

I think the last time we talked about it had been the 24 hour ban that wasn’t back in late January… and that was widely covered and criticized by app users and well, everyone - mainly because it happened "early" and then only for a few hours.

Then the day after his second Inauguration, President Trump issued a 75-day extension for ByteDance to finalize a deal or face a potential ban, giving both parties more time to negotiate.

Over the last three months there's been plenty of will it/won’t it and speculation and it's left many of us in the industry scrambling to plan ahead for 2025, and I consulted with a friend of mine on this exact thing this week...

So here’s where we are now, after:

• Several rumored offers to purchase the U.S. Tik Tok entity were presented and despite progress in talks, a proposed deal fell through amid trade tensions between the U.S. and China,

• China repeatedly said they were open to talk of divestiture but wanted something from the US in return and were critical of Trump’s tactics and 

• News of the tariffs the President had been touting and the impact on economies globally and the rollout of these policies further created obstacles in finalizing a sale…

On Friday, April 4, Trump granted yet another 75-day extension, pushing the divestment deadline to June 2025, but this decision rightly has sparked more criticism.

Users are frustrated, agency owners are struggling to keep up and of course lawmakers are questioning the latest extension's alignment with national security priorities.

But the KICKER? The fact that this new extension defies existing legislation.

PAFACA only allowed for a 90 day extension, which as of the first 75 day move, gave Trump an additional 15 days… not 75.

Now, yet again, TikTok's future in the U.S. hangs in the balance.

I have a lot of questions and concerns, more to come on that soon. 

And as always stay tuned, more coverage is coming on that too…

Creating Your Own Path in the Legal Field

For the longest time, success in the legal field was defined by a straight path—law school, clerkship, big Law, and eventually making partner. But the reality is, the legal profession is evolving, and the definition of success is changing with it.

I wrote a post for my law school’s Leading as Lawyers blog last year on how we should collectively redefine success, for more on that, read it here, but in this post I want to talk about my personal experience with evolution as an attorney. 

From my first law firm job as a recent college grad and law school applicant to being a first year associate I had older lawyers tell me that I shouldn't go into law because it wasn't rewarding or enjoyable or that it would be a lot of work. Everyone tried to discourage me and I kept pursuing it anyway because I knew I had a purpose in life and I wanted to use my skills and network to live it out.

Sure the HOW has changed, but the WHY hasn’t. I wanted to become a lawyer to help people. Pretty basic I know, but that’s the through line that kept me going during the ups and downs. I knew early on in Covid era law school that the creator economy was the new frontier and that my purpose and my skills and interests would position me right at the forefront, and with a unique perspective.

Most people, from lawyers to classmates to professors said I was crazy. That it would never work and I should pursue the traditional path because it was safe. But I’m a firm believer in two things:

When someone says “you’re crazy” you’re onto something. 

Opportunities are not just found, they’re created. 

Often the people trying to discourage you are just too scared to take a similar risk in their own life so they’re going to downplay yours. And yours will work not only because you have the courage to go for it but because you see a whitespace in the market and can create the opportunity for yourself.

We don’t have to play by the old rules in 2025. Innovation isn’t just the future, it's necessary. If you play it safe you’re missing out, the time is now to carve out your own niche in an evolving world. It's not just the creator economy either, the whole legal industry. Find your unique combination of skills and knowledge and perspective and position yourself as the go to person for xyz that no one else can offer but you. In today’s world, unconventional paths are increasingly the way forward. Some lawyers build personal brands on social media, others leverage niche expertise in emerging industries like women’s health, tech and AI, and many use their law degrees in business, policy, public relations and media. Success in law isn’t about fitting into a mold—it’s about creating your own mold. 

As I mentioned in my last newsletter, I spoke at @PLACESFIU pre-law panel with 3 other attorneys before I went to NYC. We each had different paths but ultimately all of us have carved out our own brands, even within established firms. The reality is, there’s no single blueprint for building a fulfilling legal career. The conventional path lays the foundation, but true success comes from those who dare to think differently, take risks, and create opportunities where others don’t see them. At that event my friend @Brenda Schamy put it perfectly:

"Everyone always asks how you crack the code to enter your field of expertise, but what they don’t realize is—there is no code. You are the code."

For aspiring lawyers, law students, and even seasoned professionals, success isn’t about following a single formula—the lawyers who are the most impactful and inspiring to me are the ones who used their foundation as a stepping stone. We all have  unique perspectives that add color to whichever direction you go.

Reflecting on the Women in Law Panel event again, Brenda and @Riley Richards debated two approaches while many see litigation as “people-focused” and transactional law as “paper-focused,” the reality is that both are deeply people-focused. Every contract drafted, every negotiation made—it’s all about advocating for real individuals and their passions. That was my goal and how I achieved my WHY from above. Helping my clients get to their goals, gets me to mine.

The legal profession is evolving, and those who embrace new ways of thinking will shape its future. So if you feel like your path doesn’t look like everyone else’s, that might just be a good thing. The legal field isn’t just for those who follow the rules—it’s for those who learn how to rewrite them.

Your career isn’t about following someone else’s roadmap—it’s about designing your own. 

Quote of the Month

Celebrity Case Highlight

Alix Earle: Taking on Hot Mess and Winning Her Battle Against Gymshark

If you’ve been on social media, you’ve likely seen the fallout between Alex Cooper’s (AC) Unwell Network and Alix Earle (AE) as Hot Mess gets dropped.

While rumors of tension have been swirling, this move seems to confirm a deeper rift between the two megastar podcasters. AC’s brand is evolving toward a younger audience, and some fans feel disconnected from her recent content choices. Meanwhile, AE, a savvy businesswoman, has the resources to succeed independently and shouldn’t be tied to a brand that may no longer align with her vision.

AC’s transition from Barstool Sports to her $60M Spotify deal in 2021 was groundbreaking, but her recent move to SiriusXM—a paid platform with an older demographic—raises concerns. Is she alienating the audience that made her famous? As she shifts from raw, unfiltered content to a more curated brand, many are questioning if she’s losing touch with her community.

Beyond the Hot Mess fallout, AE found herself in legal waters with Gymshark last year. While details are still emerging from the 2024 lawsuit, this situation underscores the growing legal complexities between influencers and brands. AE claimed that Gymshark violated its contract with AE due to her perceived stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict, while Gymshark denied there even being a contract. 

The suit was for $1 million and settled in January for an undisclosed sum. 

As for the parties? Gymshark’s perceived pro-Palestine views is garnering them press in light of the story breaking. AE on her end, is thought to have made millions in the PepsiCo acquisition of Poppi, the gut healthy beverage brand everyone loves, by being an early investor. 

And she’s SipMargs’ new brand partner and investor too so she has a lot going on lately too. Plus several new earned media and press features recently and she’s in almost every Hot Smart Rich newsletter I read, (a fave by Maggie Sellers, all about consumer behavior, tech and getting women into investing) and more.

Funny how the convo started with being dropped by Unwell and AC? Maybe bad press really is good press. Or it leads to good press. 

As influencer-brand partnerships become more structured, legal disputes over contracts, exclusivity clauses, and intellectual property are becoming more common. 

Whether this issue stems from a contract disagreement, branding conflict, or compensation dispute, it serves as a reminder that creators must navigate the fine print carefully. Influencer’s taking on traditional VC roles too is a new frontier to be aware of.

For influencers looking to secure brand deals, this case highlights the importance of strong contracts, clear expectations, and legal protection to avoid costly misunderstandings. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds and what it signals for future creator-brand relationships.

Final Thoughts

As we settle into Q2 with a slower, more intentional pace, I’m reminded that growth doesn’t always come from the grind—it often comes in the quiet moments, in reflection, in reconnecting with your why.

This month has been a beautiful reminder that the legal field is not one-size-fits-all. 

From attending the Miami Law Global Entertainment and Sports Industry Conference to reflecting on my own path in law, I’ve seen firsthand how innovation, creativity, and courage can open doors in places that were never on the traditional map.

Whether you're a law student questioning if you fit into the old-school mold or a seasoned pro looking to pivot, remember this: there is no single path to success. 

You are allowed to evolve. You are allowed to change your mind. You are allowed to create your own lane. The rules are being rewritten every day—and chances are, you’re already holding the pen.

And even when you’re feeling down, probably need a hug or are having a bout of imposter syndrome like I have this week…

I’ll leave you with my dance teachers advice as a 16 year old, that always hits: “don’t be a space filler”.

Keep showing up. Keep creating. Keep advocating. 

The legal industry needs more voices like yours—bold, forward-thinking, and unafraid to take up space.

Oh one last thing!

I wanted to introduce you to The Kayla Moran Law Membership:

Lawyer In Your Pocket™

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At $150/m this is lower than my hourly rate and you get so much more than just a call with me.

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After those spots fill, the price be the $150/m and on July 1 they increase to $195/m so be sure to sign up today.

Check out the details on my website here

Keeping Up with Kayla and Kayla Moran Law

Let’s make April a month of purpose, passion, and productivity.

Thanks for reading!

Talk soon,

Kayla