ACTION SPORTS & CULTURE
We Launch Legends
Led by Tom Mills and Melissa Welebir Kuhn, the FLP Action Sports group fuels the rise and long-term success of both Professional and Pre-Professional athletes and their brands. Both Melissa and Tom were born and raised in California at the intersection of surf and snow, and the epicenter of indoor and outdoor sports.
As in-house counsel for global sports giant Upper Deck, Tom closed high-stakes licensing deals with the NBA, MLB, and Marvel.
Melissa, founder of lifestyle and advocacy brand The Alpine Sea, served as legal counsel to a pro-volleyball tour, and brings industry credibility from her Surfer Magazine days, advocacy work with the Surfrider Foundation, and continued support for Protect Our Winters.
Forum Law starts inside the world of athletic culture and drives outward into legal strategy — endorsement, NIL, licensing, equity, media rights, event structuring, and cross-border compliance. We offer a full spectrum of legal services and support to insure our clients can focus on reaching their peak potential, without the stress of uncertainty surrounding the legal structure necessary for their security.
Our Services
• Sponsorship & Endorsement Structuring — Deal architecture that uplifts profile and revenue, including equity-based partnerships and FTC-compliant brand alignments
• Licensing & IP Protection — Trademarks, copyrights, licensing and rights management for logos, designs, media assets, and athlete branding
• Contract Negotiation & Review — Flat-fee and full-representation structures for endorsements, NIL, influencer, content and brand deals
• Athlete Equity & Investment Advising — LLC formation, ownership structures, and investment guidance for athletes entering the founder/investor lane
• Litigation & Dispute Resolution — Contract, partnership, and injury disputes handled with sports-industry experience and leverage preservation in view
• Event Permitting & Compliance — Competitions, premieres, pop-ups, and festival activations — permits, waivers, land use, and liability done correctly.
· Licensing and IP Protection – Lock in your brand’s edge. Secure your brand’s future with expert trademark filings, copyright registrations, and licensing agreements. From athlete nicknames, to logo designs, we protect what makes you unique in the sports world.
· Immigration – we have strong partnerships with Industry specific immigration attorneys to assist with your every need.
Why Choose Forum Law
• Industry Insiders, Not Translators — the combined experience of Tom Mills and Melissa Welebir Kuhn translates to deep industry knowledge and insures the success and protection of our clients.
• Built for the Ascent — Contact us for more information. Flat-fee entry points (starting at $750) make elite legal support accessible to rising athletes and emerging brands.
• Long-Arc Outcomes — From Marvel-level licensing to elevating pre and pro-athlete careers, we convert momentum into durable positioning, not one-off wins.
Book a free 30-minute consultation: