Lightfoot is a leader in NCAA compliance, campus investigations and related legal issues.
Lightfoot is a go-to firm for colleges and universities seeking counsel and representation in matters involving NCAA compliance, campus investigations and related legal issues. Our clients come from all corners of the NCAA membership, including members of the American Athletic, Atlantic Coast, C-USA, Big Ten, Big 12, Mountain West, Pac-12 and Southeastern conferences.
Our lawyers represent institutions, athletic administrators and prominent coaches in NCAA compliance interviews and investigations, as well as in hearings before the NCAA Committee on Infractions and the Infractions Appeals Committee. Lightfoot's NCAA Compliance & Investigations group also counsels institutions and student-athletes on eligibility issues and has secured the successful restoration of eligibility for several high-profile football and men’s basketball student-athletes.
Our NCAA Compliance & Investigations group boasts a specialized team with experience conducting internal investigations of campus issues involving Title IX, sexual misconduct and other student welfare matters. This team, which includes a former federal and state special counsel and a former federal prosecutor, is uniquely positioned to ensure that any internal campus investigation not only covers NCAA concerns, but also the growing interplay between athletics investigations, institutional risk management and, where applicable, criminal law.
Lightfoot lawyers provide counsel and litigate athletics-related employee disputes. We have extensive experience defending lawsuits alleging discrimination, wrongful termination and breach of contract.
The lawyers in our NCAA Compliance & Investigations group leverage their direct knowledge of NCAA bylaws and campus-related policies and regulations, along with their vast litigation and investigative experience, to help colleges and universities navigate the entire timeline of an infractions process or internal investigation. In addition to conducting and overseeing investigations, the group’s work involves consulting with conference and NCAA representatives to determine the existence and severity of potential violations, working with state and federal investigators and the judiciary, assisting with public relations concerns and inquiries, and crafting strategic responses for any ultimate allegations or issues.
