The President May Like Hoops, But His Election Did Not Go Unnoticed by Football

A few days back, I posted a story regarding the interwoven fabric of D.C. and how six degrees of seperation really describes the town's political labyrinth. I also noted that if you did not know how to navigate it on your own, you had better hire someone who did if you wanted to be successful.

Well the NFL Players Association must have heard me having just hired a DC powerbroker from Patton Boggs Law Firm to be their next Executive Director.

Patton Boggs is one of the consistent big dogs on the block in Washington, D.C. when it comes to access and clout. Each year, the firm is listed as one of the top, if not the top, money earners for lobbying activities. Quite simply, they helped event the "game". http://www.pattonboggs.com/


Attorney Smith elected to succeed Upshaw as NFLPA executive director
By the Associated Press (3/17/09)
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80f469df&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true

DeMaurice Smith's ties to presidential power and business experts trumped football experience, leading the Washington D.C.-based attorney to become the NFL Players Association's new executive director.

With two former union presidents and a high-profile sports attorney also as finalists, NFLPA player representatives instead went with an outsider in electing Smith on Sunday. He succeeds the late Gene Upshaw and guides the players into a critical era that includes negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement in the shadow of an economic meltdown. "Guys, let's get to work," Smith told the membership.

Inside Smith's career A native Washingtonian, Smith is a trial lawyer and litigation partner at Patton Boggs, a firm that concentrates in white-collar criminal defense and "bet the company" tort liability trials. Smith Graduated from University of Virginia law school in 1989. Admitted to the bar in Washington D.C. and Maryland. Former President, Assistant United States Attorney’s Association. On the Board of Directors for the Good Samaritan Foundation. Member of the American Bar Association White-Collar Crime Committee. Recipient of the United States Attorney General Award in 2000. Named one of Washingtonian magazine's Top 40 Lawyers Under 40.

Smith, 45, was elected on the first ballot by the 32 player representatives -- one for each NFL team -- and was introduced to a standing ovation.