James O’Sullivan

James O’Sullivan was appointed in January 2022 as FC Dallas’ first-ever inhouse general counsel. He previously served as assistant general counsel and director of Land Administration for Dallas-based Unity Hunt, Inc., the family office of the late Lamar Hunt, whose family assumed ownership of FC Dallas—then the Dallas Burn—from Major League Soccer in 2003.

In his current role, O’Sullivan oversees the full spectrum of legal matters associated with operating a Major League Soccer club (FC Dallas), an MLS NEXT Pro professional team (North Texas SC), the Toyota Stadium complex, and other affiliated facilities. His work spans governance, compliance, contracts, real estate, risk management, and the operational legal needs of a multifaceted sports organization.

Before joining FC Dallas, O’Sullivan built his career as an oil and gas attorney. He worked with land brokers, represented mineral owners and oilfield service companies, and provided inhouse legal oversight for a diverse portfolio of nonoperated assets—many of them legacy holdings—across the United States. His experience includes title examination, acquisition due diligence, oilfield litigation, contract negotiation, and lease structuring. O’Sullivan earned his law degree from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, now known as Texas A&M University School of Law, in 2007.

Prior to entering the legal profession, O’Sullivan trained as a classical musician and holds music degrees from Southern Methodist University and the Royal Northern College of Music. He has continued to nurture his love of music by singing with ensembles such as the Dallas Symphony Chorus, Resounding Harmony, and various Dallas-area church choirs, currently serving as a staff singer at St. Matthew’s Cathedral, as well as by playing piano at home. O’Sullivan’s life-long love of sports transcends his role at FC Dallas and finds him serving as vice president of the Lone Star Celtic Supporters Club, a 501(c)(7) organization supporting Glasgow Celtic Football Club from Glasgow, Scotland, and passionately attending SMU sporting events with his sons, Avner and Charlie.