Our team brings deep experience across transactional and administrative law, litigation, sponsorships and marketing, contract negotiation, and the commercial realities of the sports and creative industries. We are united by a common belief that the best legal counsel is built on real relationships, real expertise, and real care for the lives behind every matter we handle.
Layth Gafoor is the Founder and Managing Partner of Lucentem™ Sports & Entertainment Law P.C. In his earlier life, Layth was a competitive boxer and subsequently worked for IBM as part of their early executive track program. He ultimately decided to leave both aspirations to begin his career in law, where he would have the opportunity to fuse both passions — running a business with a focus on servicing athletes and helping them reach their goals. Layth completed his undergraduate studies at York University, and received his JD from Osgoode Hall Law School.
A recognized global leader in the sports law industry, Layth has been at the forefront of NIL representation of athletes and brands. He has built a reputation for creating interdisciplinary and impactful collaborations with Lucentem's clients and global brands such as Bottega Veneta, Nike, Lululemon and many more. He negotiates tailor-made contracts and deals for athletes, agents and sporting organizations and is an expert in contract negotiation, crisis management, media training, corporate and commercial governance in sport; as well as servicing athletes and entertainers in the fields of immigration and taxation.
Layth is a coveted speaker and commentator on all matters related to sports and entertainment law. He is regularly tasked with analyzing sports-related legal stories through a Canadian and international lens. His insights have covered major topics such as the NHL and NFL concussion settlements, FIFA governance changes and athlete safety. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Western University's Faculty of Law.
From 2023 to 2025, Layth served as the President of the Sports Lawyers Association, a non-profit, international and professional organization whose common goal is the understanding, advancement and ethical practice of sports law.
Recently, Layth Gafoor and Lucentem were recognized as one of the top firms in Canada in the field of Sports & Entertainment Law, by Legal500, a data-driven market analysis firm focused on excellence in client satisfaction in the legal space.
Mahvish Mian serves as Of Counsel and assists our clients in matters related to family law, wills and trusts and estate-planning. When these matters arise for our sports & entertainment clients, it is necessary for them to be assured that their legal and business affairs are being managed by someone with expertise and empathy. Mahvish brings an empathetic and communicative approach to the practice of law, showing compassion to those who are overwhelmed with uncertainty and require realistic advice in navigating an unforgiving legal system which often fails to account for nuances and subtleties in one's circumstances.
She takes time to guide clients through all the steps in the process — so that they can fully understand their options and make informed decisions. She is a pragmatic legal practitioner — leveraging cost-benefit analyses at every stage so that her clients understand the financial and emotional costs related to their chosen course of action. Mahvish values open and regular communication with her clients, so they can be confident that they are fully apprised of the state of their matter throughout the process.
Mahvish was called to the Ontario Bar in 2008. She received her J.D. from York University — Osgoode Hall Law School in 2007. She is the Founder of Magnolia Family Law P.C and has been practicing family law for over a decade.
Malik Anthony Nembhard is Counsel at Lucentem Sports & Entertainment Law PC, where his practice spans litigation and dispute resolution, commercial transactions, and intellectual property matters across the sports and entertainment sectors. He brings prior experience from a leading Toronto entertainment and media law firm and a downtown civil and employment litigation boutique, where he supported files across the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Divisional Court, and various administrative and sports tribunals.
Before being called to the bar, he worked in business and legal affairs for a Canadian production company, coordinating with U.S. studio counsel on talent and distribution matters, served as an associate producer on a nationally broadcast television series, and served as a board director of the National Campus and Community Radio Association, Canada's advocacy body for campus and community radio. He also contributes to LexisNexis Canada's Practical Guidance platform as a Legal Editor, supporting practitioner resources across litigation, intellectual property, privacy, and personal injury. He holds a Juris Doctor from the Lincoln Alexander School of Law at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Called to the Bar of Ontario, 2025.
Jason Bogle is a criminal and civil litigator, known for his strong advocacy and disciplined, practical approach. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 2005, and has since built a respected practice — as the co-founder of Sack (Q.C.) and Bogle Law, a firm that is guided by the principles upon which it was founded — upholding a tradition of excellence, integrity and client-focused service.
Jason also works with Taylor'd Litigation P.C. and remains engaged in the broader legal community. Outside of work, he believes in devoting his time to community initiatives and believes in using the law as a means to impact the community.
He advises individuals and businesses facing complex legal challenges, offering clear, strategic guidance grounded in evidence and outcomes. Known for his effectiveness in both negotiation and litigation, Jason prepares every case as if it will proceed to trial — an approach that strengthens his position at the bargaining table and delivers results.
Jon Velie brings over 30 years of experience in the practice of law, as a formidable litigator and corporate law expert. His extensive experience includes briefing cases before the US Supreme Court, where he secured pivotal victories, including a landmark decision on behalf of the Cherokee and Freedmen. Jon has experience in a wide array of practice areas — including litigation, employment law, corporate transactions and negotiations, and intellectual property. His dedication to his clients, combined with his legal acumen, has made him a trusted advisor and advocate in national and international legal matters.
Jon attained his JD from the University of Oklahoma College of Law and founded the Velie Law Firm in 1993 with the mission of providing top-tier legal services in the practices of immigration and corporate law. The firm gained prominence for its work on challenging and high-profile immigration cases, such as the securing of visas and green cards for high profile clients such as Olympic athletes, entrepreneurs and investors.
Kofi Achampong serves as an Associate Counsel, specializing in litigation, governance, business and a wide array of governmental and administrative affairs. Kofi is experienced in providing strategic counsel to executives and elected officials, as well as supporting clients from a variety of backgrounds to protect their interests and handle their business and legal matters with care.
Kofi received his JD from York University — Osgoode Hall Law School in 2010 and received his Honours BA in International Relations from the University of Toronto in 2006. Currently, he is pursuing his MBA from Boston University, an additional credential which will supplement his already prodigious legal skill set. Kofi articled at the World Trade Organization in Geneva, Switzerland and also interned at the African Union in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia.
Kofi is passionate about sports, community development and anti-racism and has received numerous awards for his volunteer and non-profit work.
Brandon Leopoldus is a nationally-recognized sports attorney and the founder of Leopoldus Law, APC, a premier law firm dedicated to serving athletes, leagues, franchises, unions, officials, and others in sports and the public eye. Based in Los Angeles, the firm's entertainment and sports law practice provides comprehensive legal strategies for high-profile individuals and organizations, from corporate structuring and brand protection to complex personal and business matters.
A trusted advisor in the sports industry, Brandon has played a pivotal role in developing and launching three startup sports leagues: the National Junior Hockey League, The Fighters League (MMA), and The Next Chapter (1-on-1 basketball). His experience includes serving as Interim Counsel for D.C. United (MLS), advising multiple U.S. Olympic Governing Bodies, the Association of Minor League Umpires (SEIU Local 322), and representing dozens of collegiate athletes preparing for professional careers. He also maintains an active litigation practice in state and federal courts and before JAMS and AAA, handling contract, representation, and commercial disputes on behalf of athletes, agencies, and sports businesses.
Brandon serves on the Board of Directors of the Sports Lawyers Association and teaches Sports Law as an adjunct professor at Loyola Law School — Los Angeles. He is regularly featured in continuing education programs on sports law issues, making him a go-to resource for attorneys, agents, and business professionals seeking practical guidance on sports industry developments.
"Layth Gafoor and his team from Lucentem Sports agreed to guide us through the legalities of elite sport issues when we did not know where to turn for help."
"As my organization has been steadily growing I needed a legal professional to restructure and improve my company by-laws, code of ethics and the regulatory framework for my Track and Field club. Layth and his team were the right people to do it — professional, client-focused, and the reassurance I needed when I wasn't always sure about the path to take."
"After speaking with Layth we found out I had a case to fight. With the help of this incredible team we won the case and all the while they stayed professional."
Learn more about Legal500 and why this recognition matters to our team and clients.
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