Jim W. DePalo, Jr., J.D.
Founder/ MLBPA Agent/ MMA Agent
Mr. DePalo's role is to oversee all day-to-day corporate operations and he is responsible for the development of additional key contacts and relationships in the industry along with identification of client talent, client meetings, and domestic player contract negotiations. He along with Mr. Lawlor work collaboratively on player representation, career management and contract negotiations, draft preparation and salary arbitration. He also has responsibility for the development of sponsorship contracts and product endorsements for players contracted with Encompass.
James W. DePalo Jr was born in New York City, NY, and moved to Southwest Florida with his family, at the age of eight, in 1996. Jim's love for baseball was instilled at a young age by his father, James W. DePalo, Sr., who was a pitcher with the Yankee organization during the 1950's. Jim grew up playing organized baseball, and as a resident of Naples for over 20 years, he has actively been involved in local and regional sports as well as in the community.
In high school, as he advanced toward his career dream of pitching in professional baseball, he was sidelined with elbow issues that required Tommy John surgery along with two elbow scopes which ended his playing career but not his passion for the sport. Jim realigned his career but decided to stay close to the game, as well as sports, to assist other athletes to reach their life's passion and potential. Jim graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2012 with
a dual degree in Sports Management and Marketing. He went on to further his education attending Florida Coastal School of Law and received his Juris Doctor degree along with a Certificate in Sports Law in 2016.
In 2017, Jim became an MLB Certified Agent through the MLBPA and currently represents and advises amateur and professional ballplayers both domestically and internationally. Jim's involvement in sports programs throughout the years has enabled him to develop and maintain a network of trusted professional and personal relationships with players, coaches, and other key sports figures. The combination of Jim’s education, his associations, and his extensive knowledge of sports and athletics afford Encompass athletes the most competent representation and aid during their professional careers and thereafter. Jim currently resides in Southwest, Florida.