Ronald B. Gaither

Partner

Atlanta
T +1.404.946.9311
F +1.404.459.5734

Overview

As a traditional trial lawyer, Ron has handled cases across a broad spectrum. He has litigated cases involving products liability, financial broker/dealer transactions, high-profile premises liability matters and state and federal matters across a wide range of industries.

In addition to his commercial litigation matters, Ron serves as the Vice-Chair of BakerHostetler’s Sports and Entertainment Team. He provides counsel to professional athletic teams and leagues related to a range of issues, such as litigation, trademark, employment and real estate. He also manages corporate-sponsorship-sports portfolios for large national institutions. Ron takes a global approach to client concerns, addressing potential impacts that may not be immediately obvious and taking the time to fully comprehend their businesses and the unique pressures that they face. Clients trust and rely on Ron’s ability to work swiftly toward resolutions and, foremost, to assist sports clients with putting on the best products for their fan base.

Select Experience

  • Lead attorney for multi-billion-dollar non-profit’s corporate sports transactional portfolio.
  • Provided counsel for the formation of entertainment sports area adjacent to billion-dollar stadium.
  • Represented and advised historic golf club in drafting legislation for sports gaming.
  • Represented the Atlanta Braves before the Georgia Supreme Court regarding validation of bonds for the financing of the Braves’ new stadium.
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Experience

  • Lead attorney for multi-billion-dollar non-profit’s corporate sports transactional portfolio.
  • Provided counsel for the formation of entertainment sports area adjacent to billion-dollar stadium.
  • Represented and advised historic golf club in drafting legislation for sports gaming.
  • Represented the Atlanta Braves before the Georgia Supreme Court regarding validation of bonds for the financing of the Braves’ new stadium.
  • Represented the Atlanta Braves in a civil lawsuit filed by the family of a minor child injured while attending a baseball game at Turner Field.
  • Represented the Atlanta Braves and multiple Major League Baseball teams in responding to a subpoena by the DOJ and assisting the DOJ regarding allegations that a sports agent was engaged in the illegal trafficking of Cuban-born baseball players.
  • Represented the Atlanta Braves in a breach of a license and sponsorship agreement with a major supplier of household appliances.
  • Provided counsel to the Atlanta Braves in matters involving stadium rights for a new baseball field.
  • Provided counsel to the Atlanta Braves regarding Georgia’s recent law permitting guns at public events; the Atlanta Braves oppose guns inside stadiums hosting their games.
  • Represented the Atlanta Braves in securing trademark clearance for bobble head involving a Gold Glove winner.

Recognitions and Memberships

Recognitions

  • The Legal 500 United States (2017)
    • Recommended in Industry focus - Sport
  • Georgia Trend Magazine: Georgia’s Legal Elite (2013, 2018, 2020 and 2022)

Memberships

  • National Bar Association
  • Sports Lawyers Association
  • State Bar of Georgia, Entertainment and Sports Section

Community

  • Atlanta Braves Foundation: Board Member
  • United Way of Atlanta: Advisory Board

Prior Positions

  • Law Clerk for the Honorable U.W. Clemon, United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama (2001 to 2002)

Military Service

  • United States Air Force (1990 to 1994)
    • Operation Desert Storm
    • Operation Desert Shield

Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
  • Georgia

Education

  • J.D., Vanderbilt University Law School, 2001; Notes Editor, Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment Law and Practice
  • B.A., Political Science, The University of Oklahoma, 1997