Meet the Sports Law Team at CCHA Law

Legal Expertise for the Ever-Changing Landscape of College Athletics

As college athletics undergoes a historic transformation, athletic departments, conferences, student-athletes, coaches, and collectives face an increasing variety of legal and compliance challenges. Our CCHA Law Sports Law Team leads the industry with strategic counsel grounded in real-world experience and in-depth legal expertise.

We provide support across the full spectrum of sports law matters. From NCAA investigations and Title IX compliance to NIL contracts and emerging issues like athlete employment and revenue sharing. Our team’s multifaceted experience enables us to be effective problem solvers for clients, leveraging our extensive network and competencies to provide efficient strategic advice.

Who We Serve

We serve collegiate clients nationwide. Our team proudly represents:

• NCAA Division I, II, and III institutions

• Conference offices

• Athletic administrators

• Coaches and support staff

• Student-athletes and their families

• Collectives and NIL entities

• Sports businesses and nonprofits

Our Services

NCAA Compliance

CCHA Law provides full-service support across all phases of NCAA compliance and enforcement, including:

• Comprehensively investigate and analyze all facts and evidence under NCAA bylaws, policies, and guidelines for potential violations of NCAA rules.

• Conduct and manage device imaging and analysis.

• Prepare for and conduct NCAA interviews.

• Navigate communication with enforcement staff and other counsel.

• Coordinate institutional response to NCAA allegations.

• Representation in front of the Committee of Infractions and the Infractions Appeals Committee.

Title IX

• Legal Counsel: We advise institutions on conducting Title IX investigations to ensure policy and legal compliance, as well as thorough and efficient investigations and hearings.

• Investigator: We act as institutionally appointed investigators under an institution’s Title IX policy, working closely with the Title IX Coordinator to conduct comprehensive, cost-effective, and compliant investigation. We handle single-complainant respondents and single-allegations investigations, and multi-party and multi-allegation investigations.

• Decision-maker: We act as institutionally appointed decision-makers to hear and adjudicate Title IX allegations.

• Gender Equity Reviews: We conduct multiple gender equity reviews of institutional departments, most frequently athletics, to ensure equitable and legal treatment of students.

Investigations

We conduct and support thorough, impartial investigations in athletics contexts on behalf of our clients. We handle:

• Title IX Investigations by interviewing involved parties, reviewing institutional policies, and drafting compliant, evidence-based reports.

• College Sports Investigations by managing fact-finding under relevant bylaws and rules, conducting interviews, overseeing digital forensics, preparing institutional responses, and navigating infractions resolution or arbitration processes.

• Independent investigations that address concerns related to coaching misconduct, bullying, mental abuse, hazing, or unhealthy team cultures.

House Implementation, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), and Revenue Sharing

Our team helps institutions and collegiate athletics stakeholders navigate the evolving NIL landscape. We assist with:

• Licensing and revenue share contract preparation and negotiation
  
  

• House implementation services, such as assistance with NIL Go and enforcement through the College Sports Commission
  
  

• Advising NIL collectives and affiliated businesses
  
  

Education, Training & Risk Management

We empower institutions and conferences to anticipate and mitigate risk, fostering a culture of compliance. Some of our key education and risk management services include:

• Conference office and member institution trainings on NIL, House, Title IX, and more

• Title IX education and training for investigators, adjudicators, and informal resolutions

• Institutional control assessments

• NCAA compliance reviews

• Culture and climate assessments

Strategic advice on NCAA governance

Meet Our Team

The CCHA Law Sports Law Team is made up of former NCAA national office staff, campus compliance officers, conference administrators, and higher education legal counsel. With team members located across the country, we bring a uniquely informed and deeply collaborative approach to every matter.

Kelleigh Irwin Fagan

Kelleigh is an experienced sports law attorney specializing in the evolving legal landscape of collegiate athletics, including NCAA compliance, Title IX issues, hazing and misconduct investigations, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), and revenue sharing matters. She represents institutions, student-athletes, coaches, and administrators on a broad spectrum of athletics-related legal issues. Learn more about Kelleigh.

Todd S. Shumaker

Todd Shumaker is a sports law attorney leveraging his extensive experience in sports law and higher education to guide clients through the complexities of NCAA regulations, Title IX compliance, and the evolving landscape of college athletics. With a unique blend of legal expertise, investigative experience, and in-depth industry knowledge, Todd is a go-to resource for institutions, conferences, coaches, athletes, athlete representatives, collectives, and other individuals and organizations navigating the wild world of college sports law. Learn more about Todd.

Jane McGill

Jane is a seasoned sports law attorney with experience in NCAA regulations and higher education policy. Her work spans key areas, including Title IX investigations and gender equity reviews, NCAA regulatory matters, and allegations of hazing and misconduct. Learn more about Jane.

Julie Roe Lach

Julie is Of Counsel on the Sports Law Team. She has been involved with college athletics for 20 years. Julie worked at the NCAA for over 15 years, most recently serving as the Vice President of Enforcement from October 2010 to February 2013. She currently serves as the Commissioner for the Horizon League and as Of Counsel with the Sports Law Group. Learn more about Julie.

James Nussbaum

James is a highly respected sports law attorney who focuses his practice on higher education and sports law. With more than a decade of experience advising premier educational institutions, James is recognized for his ability to tackle the most complex and high-stakes legal issues facing colleges, universities, and athletic departments. From Title IX compliance and NCAA regulations to high-profile investigations and discrimination cases, James helps his clients navigate challenges with precision and confidence. Learn more about James.

Connor Glass

Connor is a sports law attorney in the Sports Law and Higher Education practice groups, focusing on NCAA compliance and infractions, Title IX gender equity reviews, and navigating the evolving NIL landscape in college athletics. He works closely with institutions to ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks while advocating for fair and equitable practices in sports law. Learn more about Connor.

Paia LaPalombara

Paia is a sports law attorney in the Sports Law and Higher Education practice groups, bringing over 15 years of experience in college athletics compliance and higher education. Paia’s extensive background includes positions at several NCAA Division I universities and the NCAA National Office, as well as leadership roles on several prominent NCAA committees. Learn more about Paia.

Matt Banker

Matt is a sports law attorney in the Sports Law and Higher Education practice groups, following prior stops at the University of Louisville, the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), Indiana University's McKinney School of Law, the NCAA National Office, and the NCAA Eligibility Center. Matt’s 20+ years of experience in college athletics and higher education include managing high-profile NCAA compliance, scholarship, NIL, transfer, amateurism, infractions, eligibility, and other NCAA matters affecting student-athletes, coaches, and athletic programs across all three NCAA Divisions. Learn more about Matt.

Aaron Hernandez

Aaron is of counsel on the Sports Law Team, where he lends his expertise in Title IX matters and NCAA compliance. In addition to his role at CCHA Law, Aaron serves as the Assistant Dean and Executive Director of the Allan “Bud” Selig Sports Law and Business Program at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University. Since 2019, Aaron has overseen the success of the Sports Law and Business Program, demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication. Learn more about Aaron.

Kara Carlson

Kara serves as the Sports Law Practice Manager. In her role she assists in NCAA compliance matters, Title IX investigations, and gender equity reviews. Prior to joining CCHA Law, she held a key role at the NCAA National Office, where she worked within the Eligibility Center. Over the course of her 10-year tenure at the NCAA, Kara specialized in issues surrounding initial eligibility, amateurism, and academic compliance. She also led the Division I and II Membership Advisory Groups, collaborating closely with NCAA member institutions. Learn more about Kara.

Jodie Crosby Ferise

Jodie Ferise is a highly experienced sports law attorney with over 20 years in the field. Her distinguished career includes roles as general counsel, higher education lobbyist, professor, and college administrator. Jodie was appointed by Governor Holcomb to the Midwest Higher Education Commission in 2023 and has served on the Indiana Commission for Higher Education’s Partnership Pentagon. Jodie’s career highlights include founding University Equity Solutions, LLC, a higher education consulting firm. Learn more about Jodie.

John S. Pistole

John is a senior advisor on the Sports Law and Higher Education practice groups. He served as President of Anderson University for ten years. Prior to working in higher education, Pistole began his 26-year career with the FBI and after the attacks of September 11, 2001, was placed in charge of the FBI’s counterterrorism program, eventually becoming the FBI’s Executive Assistant Director for national security. In 2004, Pistole was named Deputy Director of the FBI before being nominated by President Obama in 2010 to be the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Learn more about John.

Get in Touch

With team members around the country, we’re here to help you navigate the world of collegiate athletics. CCHA Law attorneys are here to be your advocates and more. With more than 140 years of excellent service and thoughtful solutions, contact us today for a legal partner you can trust.