The Authors of ‘Sneaker Law V2’ Break Down Why It’s the ‘Greatest Sneaker Book of All Time’
You have to be confident to call your latest work the “greatest sneaker book of all time.” But that is what authors Kenneth Anand and Jared Goldstein believe they created with “Sneaker Law V2.”
After releasing “Sneaker Law V1” in September 2020, the legal expert duo returned four years later with “Sneaker Law V2.” These books, which are widely regarded as go-to resources for both current and prospective industry professionals, are available now wherever books are sold.
“Sneaker Law V2” released on Sept. 10 and retails for $150.
Aside from being authors and sneaker aficionados, the resume’s of both Anand and Goldstein should offer any reader confidence that they are trusted legal sources.
Goldstein, for instance, is an adjunct professor at several law schools, including the University of Miami and Georgia State University, in addition to his role as a guest lecturer at Harvard and the Parsons School of Design.
As for Anand, he currently is the director of client relations at Jayaram Law, and formerly was the general counsel at Yeezy. And like Goldstein, Anand is also a guest lecturer at Harvard and the Parsons School of Design, as well as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami and Georgia State University.
Here, Anand and Goldstein offer insights into the making of “Sneaker Law V2” with FN and takeaways since its release.
On What They Learned Writing ‘Sneaker Law V2’
Kenneth Anand: “Writing Sneaker Law V2 was a reflection of how much the sneaker industry has evolved since our first book released in 2021. We learned the importance of staying agile and responsive to new trends, from sustainability and the rise of direct-to-consumer brands to legal challenges like intellectual property battles and emerging tech like NFTs and the metaverse. It pushed us to dig deeper into the intersections of law, business and culture to ensure the book remained not only relevant but a step ahead.”
On How They Improved From V1 to V2
Jared Goldstein: “‘Sneaker Law V1’ was like our debut mixtape or album. As groundbreaking and successful Sneaker Law V1 was, we knew that our best work was ahead of us. With V1, there were areas that we wanted to dive in deeper on and content we realized we were missing. When writing ‘Sneaker Law V2,’ we left no stone unturned. We hit you from every possible angle and created an all-encompassing encyclopedia for the sneaker business. V2 is twice the size of V1. It’s a beast.”
On the Talents They Uncovered Writing ‘Sneaker Law V2’ That They Didn’t Realize They Had
JG: “Sneaker Law is independently published. We decided early on that we wanted complete ownership of our business and books. It would be hypocritical to teach about entrepreneurship while handing our books off to a publisher and letting them handle everything. As a result, outside of writing the book, we had to select and clear all of the images (there are over 1,000 images in V2), design the cover and interior, find and work with an editor, source a manufacturer, handle marketing and distribution, interface with wholesalers and retailers and much more. Kenenth and I can now write a book about what it takes to publish a book.”
On What They Would Like to Accomplish After Seeing the Success of ‘Sneaker Law V2’
KA: “The overwhelming success of ‘Sneaker Law V2’ has reaffirmed our belief that there’s a real demand for accessible legal and business education tailored to creatives and entrepreneurs. We hope this book inspires educators to integrate unconventional topics like ours into their curriculums, breaking the mold of traditional education. Beyond that, we want to continue empowering individuals — whether it’s through universities, high schools, or community programs — to turn their passions into sustainable careers. Expanding our reach to underserved communities and introducing this knowledge to a broader audience is also a key priority. We’ve got some exciting initiatives in the works that are focused on reaching the students that can’t get into Harvard, Yale, Parsons or anywhere else Sneaker Law has been taught.”
On the Support They Have Received
JG: “The support we’ve received has been incredible. From entrepreneurs starting their own businesses who used Sneaker Law as their guide to seasoned and jaded lawyers getting inspired that they can have fun in their profession again to sneakerheads raving about the book, Sneaker Law has impacted so many people. This was on full display during our ‘Sneaker Law V2’ launch party. Friends, family and supporters came out in droves to celebrate V2. We had law school professors mixing and mingling with superstars like Kid Cudi. Where else can you find that? And that’s really the essence of Sneaker Law. We are converging different cultures and disciplines through one common bond — sneakers.”
On Why People Should Buy ‘Sneaker Law V2’
KA: “It’s simply the greatest sneaker book of all time. Never has there been one book that contains this wealth of knowledge and information, all presented in a relatable and visually engaging way. Beyond sneakers, reading this book is like getting a mini law and business degree; there’s so many gems in there for the aspiring entrepreneur, designer, lawyer, or general enthusiast. We could have easily doubled the price of this book like most legal textbooks, but we’ve done everything we can to keep the cost down while delivering a premium product. We’re really proud of V2 and we know our readers are benefiting from the work we put into it.”
About the Author
Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.