Over the past few months, the decision of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (“MSG”) to ban all lawyers from any law firm representing a client against MSG from all its venues in New York City and Chicago, has drawn much scrutiny and criticism. This action impacts access to iconic locations like the Radio City Music Hall, the Chicago Theatre, the Beacon Theatre, and the Theatre at Madison Square Garden (formerly the Hulu Theatre). The details of this controversial action were covered by Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP.
One key point of discussion among legal professionals is the potential implications of this action under New York’s Civil Rights Law. Is NY’s Civil Rights Law a backstop to MSG’s ban on adverse counsel? It’s a question that more and more lawyers, particularly those operating in corporate spaces, are asking as they navigate this unprecedented move.
This MSG ban does not only affect the lawyers themselves but may also impact their clients. How this potential conflict is handled could have significant bearing upon the legal landscape moving forward. Laws regulating access to public venues, or lack thereof, are being tested with these developments. Hence, businesses and corporate law firms must keep a close watch on any decisions being made and their potential ramifications on business operations and relationships with legal partners.