Hackney Publications has announced the inclusion of Church Church Hittle + Antrim (CCHA) to its “100 Law Firms with Sports Law Practices You Need to Know About.”
In addition, the company announced that Paia LaPalombara, who joined the firm’s Sports Law and Higher Education sections last fall, has also been featured on Sports Law Podcast. The segment can be heard here.
CCHA’s recognition on 100lawfirms.com marks the second straight year the firm has been included on the list, which serves as a resource for those in the sports industry who need capable counsel with experience in sports law. Hackney Publications relies on readers, professors, and other industry experts in creating the list.
CCHA’s team is comprised of former athletes, coaches, campus staff, general counsel, and conference and NCAA national office administrators. Its perspective and knowledge uniquely positions it to guide clients through the constantly evolving issues in the collegiate sports industry. CCHA provides clients the benefit of working with a team of practicing attorneys and industry professionals – across the country – with more than 100 years of experience in college sports is areas such as NCAA compliance, Title IX, campus investigations, and name, image, and likeness.
The group represents NCAA member institutions, coaches, administrators, student-athletes, boosters, and collectives and strives to provide effective and passionate representation for all of its clients through reviewing, analyzing, and investigating all aspects of a case.
LaPalombara, in particular, has “a diverse skill set, cultivated through extensive experience at an NCAA Division I Power 5 university and the NCAA National Office, uniquely positions her to approach NCAA compliance and regulatory issues from multiple perspectives,” noted Holt Hackney, CEO of Hackney Publications.
Her national reputation in college athletics is emphasized by her roles as Vice Chair of the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee, a member of the NCAA Division I Board of Directors Infractions Process Committee, and service on the National Association for Athletics Compliance (NAAC) Board of Directors.
Her professional journey includes leadership roles on several prominent NCAA committees, demonstrating her commitment to staying at the forefront of industry trends.
LaPalombara’s expertise encompasses a wide range of areas, including:
- NCAA investigations, case processing, and infractions appeals
- Student-athlete eligibility matters (reinstatement, amateurism, transfer and legislative relief waivers, academic eligibility, and limited immunity)
- NIL support (policy creation, collective and third-party support, risk management, contract review, and institutional best practices)
- Independent investigations (coach and staff conduct, hazing, sports wagering, Title IX sexual harassment and violence, substance abuse, and student-athlete welfare)
- NCAA compliance reviews
- Program culture and risk assessments
- Title IX gender equity reviews
- NCAA Policy on Campus Sexual Violence
Prior to joining CCHA, LaPalombara served as the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance at The Ohio State University. Her role involved overseeing the Department of Athletics’ investigatory function, executing its Name, Image, and Likeness program, and assisting student-athletes through the development of the school’s first Elite Student-Athlete program.
