Jul 6, 2020
Today I’m speaking with Helen Dooley, Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Tandem Sports & Entertainment in Arlington, Virginia. Helen graduated from Duke University where she obtained both a history degree and her law degree. She spoke about her informative years clerking for federal judges in the 10th Circuit, including Judge Tacha, who taught her the importance of being yourself. It was there that she learned, among other things, how to obtain and maintain the respect of your colleagues. From her clerkships, she went to Williams & Connolly in D.C., where she would spend the next 16 years of practice. While there, Helen’s practice evolved and almost by happenstance, she was asked to help offer real estate advice to Duke alum and basketball superstar, Grant Hill. After spending several years advising sports clients, Helen left the firm to help start Tandem Sports & Entertainment with her long-time colleague, Jim Tanner. Tandem is a full-service sports and entertainment agency with expertise in athlete management, talent representation, marketing, communications and publicity services. Now a Senior VP and General Counsel, Helen serves the agency in a multitude of ways. She spoke about how she has been able to establish such a successful career for herself all while helping home school her three children. Helen has ensured her clients know her level of dedication to her work and has made herself an integral part of any team that she is a part of. Her story is a reminder that so often, we are more capable than what we give ourselves credit for. And with all the challenges we are facing today with coronavirus, Helen’s reminder is nothing short of serendipitous. I think you’ll find her spirit is assuring and her story interesting.