NIL LawMarch 10, 2026
NIL Contracts: What Every Collegiate Athlete Needs to Know Before Signing
6 min read
Read Florida · Washington, D.C.
Counsel Built
for the Modern
Legal Landscape.
The Law Office of Carl G. Hawkins, PLLC provides sophisticated legal services in NIL law for collegiate athletes, SEC & FINRA compliance, and business formation — with the focused attention only a solo practice can offer.
Florida Bar
D.C. Bar
Est. 201701 — Practice Areas
Focused. Experienced.
Strategically Positioned.
A boutique practice means your matter receives the full attention of an experienced attorney — not a junior associate. Every client benefits from direct partner-level counsel.
NIL Law
Name, Image & Likeness for Collegiate Athletes
The NIL landscape is complex and evolving rapidly. Carl G. Hawkins provides collegiate athletes with the legal guidance needed to maximize their earning potential while maintaining eligibility and protecting their long-term interests.
- NIL contract review and negotiation
- Endorsement and sponsorship agreements
- Brand partnership structuring
- Social media and content monetization
- Eligibility compliance guidance
- Agent and collective agreements
Securities Law
SEC & FINRA Compliance
Navigating the regulatory requirements of the SEC and FINRA demands precision and current knowledge. The firm assists broker-dealers, investment advisers, and issuers with both transactional work and ongoing compliance obligations.
Securities offerings (Reg D, Reg A+, Reg CF)
FINRA membership applications
Form ADV & RIA registration
Broker-dealer compliance programs
Routine SEC & FINRA filings
Blue sky law compliance
Private placement memoranda
Ongoing regulatory counsel
02 — Business Formation
Incorporation
Packages
From sole proprietors to complex multi-member structures, the firm offers three clearly defined packages to match your business stage and complexity. All packages include direct attorney involvement — no paralegals, no outsourcing.
Ready to form your business?
Select the package that fits your needs — or schedule a consultation to discuss a custom engagement.
Essential
$2,000flat fee
For entrepreneurs launching their first venture
- Entity selection consultation (LLC, Corp, PLLC)
- Articles of Organization or Incorporation
- State filing & registered agent (1 year)
- Operating Agreement or Bylaws
- EIN application
- Initial resolutions
Get Started
Most Popular
Professional
$4,000flat fee
For growing businesses requiring comprehensive formation
- Everything in Essential
- Customized Operating Agreement or Shareholder Agreement
- Equity structure & cap table guidance
- Founder vesting schedule
- IP assignment agreements
- 30-day post-formation counsel
Get Started
Enterprise
$8,000flat fee
For complex structures, investors, and regulated industries
- Everything in Professional
- Multi-member or multi-class equity structuring
- Investor-ready documentation
- Securities law compliance review
- Regulatory licensing guidance
- 60-day post-formation counsel
- Priority response SLA
Get Started
All fees are flat-rate and agreed upon in advance. No hourly billing surprises. Additional state filing fees may apply.
Licensed In
Florida · Washington, D.C.
03 — About the Firm
Carl G. Hawkins
Attorney at Law
The Law Office of Carl G. Hawkins, PLLC was founded in 2017 on a straightforward premise: clients deserve direct access to an experienced attorney who understands both the law and the business context surrounding their legal needs.
Carl G. Hawkins is licensed to practice law in Florida and Washington, D.C., and brings a focused practice spanning three high-stakes areas: Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) law for collegiate athletes, securities and regulatory compliance before the SEC and FINRA, and business formation and corporate counsel.
Operating as a solo practice is a deliberate choice. Every client engagement is handled personally — with no delegation to associates or paralegals for substantive legal work. This model ensures consistent quality, clear communication, and accountability at every stage of a matter.
Bar Admissions
Florida & Washington, D.C.
Firm Established
2017
Practice Focus
NIL · Securities · Corporate
Client Model
Direct Attorney Access
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions the firm hears most often. If your question is not addressed here, please reach out directly.
All consultations are scheduled through the firm's online booking system, available on the Book a Consultation page. Appointments are required — the firm does not accept walk-ins. The initial consultation fee is $250, collected at the time of booking via Stripe.
No. The Law Office of Carl G. Hawkins, PLLC operates on an appointment-only basis. The St. Johns office at 35 Durbin Station Court, Suite 105 is a professional office suite available by prior arrangement. Most consultations are conducted via video conference or phone for your convenience.
Cancellations made more than 24 hours before a scheduled appointment are subject to a $100 cancellation fee. Cancellations within 24 hours of the appointment result in forfeiture of the full $250 consultation fee. No-shows also result in forfeiture of the full $250 fee. All charges are automatically applied to the payment method on file via Stripe.
No. The $250 consultation fee is a standalone charge for the initial consultation and is not credited toward any future retainer, flat fee, or legal services agreement. The consultation is an independent engagement.
Carl G. Hawkins is licensed to practice law in Florida and Washington, D.C. For matters governed by federal law — including SEC and FINRA regulatory matters and federal securities offerings — the firm can assist clients nationwide. For state-specific matters outside of Florida and D.C., the firm can provide a referral to qualified local counsel.
05 — Contact
Begin Your
Consultation
Whether you are a collegiate athlete exploring NIL opportunities, a financial firm navigating regulatory requirements, or an entrepreneur ready to launch — the firm is ready to assist.
Office Address
35 Durbin Station Court, Suite 105
St. Johns, FL 32259
By appointment only
Phone
(904) 780-0059Book a Consultation — $250
By appointment only · $100 fee if cancelled 24+ hrs · Full fee forfeited within 24 hrs or no-show
The information submitted through this form does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not include confidential information in your initial inquiry.