Athletes Lawyer

Keeping You In The Game

Attorney Leah M. Bernhard

Leah M. Bernhard

  • Of Counsel
  • Doping
  • Endorsement and Salary Disputes
  • Team Selection Disputes
  • SafeSport
  • Sports-Related Civil Litigation

Biography

Leah joined the Law Offices of Howard L. Jacobs in 2023, where she is Of Counsel. Leah grew up as a competitive athlete; she was a high school swimmer, Division 1 collegiate rower, and amateur triathlete. Her athletic background helps her to understand the complex and stressful situations that athletes frequently face.

Prior to joining the Law Offices of Howard L. Jacobs, Leah worked in civil litigation representing both plaintiffs and defendants, as well as amateur sports law organizations. She prides herself in keeping in close communication with her clients at all stages of the process and knows how to be a fierce advocate while working to obtain favorable outcomes.

Leah graduated from Marquette Law School, cum laude. During law school, she interned at the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee during the 2016 Rio Summer Olympic Games, where she assisted with the anti-ambush campaign and with Section 9 and 10 claims. She was a member of the Marquette Sports Law Review and received a certificate in sports law from the National Sports Law Institute. She has authored and co-authored several briefs for the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and the Wisconsin Supreme Court and practiced in both federal and state courts. She has been selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2019-2022.

Leah is admitted to the bar in Wisconsin where she resides with her husband and sons. She enjoys cheering for Wisconsin sports teams including the Bucks, Brewers, and Packers. She stays active with swimming and hiking, and enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time outdoors with her family.

Education

  • Marquette University Law School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
    • Honors: cum laude
    • Honors: Received a Certificate in Sports Law from the National Sports Law Institute

Practice Areas

  • Doping
  • Endorsement and Salary Disputes
  • Team Selection Disputes
  • SafeSport
  • Sports-Related Civil Litigation

Past Positions

  • Interned at the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee during the 2016 Rio Summer Olympic Games, where she assisted with the anti-ambush campaign and with Section 9 and 10 claims

Bar Admissions

  • Wisconsin

Honors

  • Super Lawyers Rising Star