Sports law clinic accepting applications from college athletes

Picture of Campbell University Football Team hitting the field during a game opener with white smoke billowing out behind them

RALEIGH — Campbell Law School’s Shipman & Wright Sports Law Clinic is accepting applications from college athletes to receive Name, Image and Likeness (“NIL”) pro bono representation this fall, said Clinic Manager Darius Boxley.

The clinic will provide sound legal advice and analysis to student athletes to assist them in realizing the value of their NIL property.

“Shipman & Wright is thrilled to offer critical legal advice and partner with Campbell Law in this pivotal time,” Clinic Founder and Director Gary L. Shipman said. “As of July 1, 2021, there are virtually no restrictions on collegiate athlete’s ability to profit from the commercial use of their NIL while enrolled as students and eligible to play sports. Consequently, whether participating in so-called revenue sports or other sports, young athletes at all levels are being inundated by companies, individuals, marketing agencies, and self-identified agents to ‘do deals.’” 

The sports law clinic is designed to provide law students committed to practicing sports law, entrepreneurship and transactional law the opportunity to develop and hone effective professional skills essential to providing excellent legal services. The clinic is located at the law school in downtown Raleigh.  Student-attorneys will represent student athletes under the direction of Shipman and other attorneys, including Adjunct Professor Susan Dunn.  

Shipman has more than 30 years of experience working in the sports industry. He is certified as a contract advisor and agent by the NFL and NBA, and his sports clients include college and professional coaches as well as professional athletes. 

Interested applicants should complete a client application at this link Shipman & Wright Sports Law Clinic Client Application and email the completed document to sportslaw@campbell.edu. 

Any questions regarding the clinic should be directed to sportslaw@campbell.edu

“Whether the clinic can accept any potential client depends on several factors, including not only client eligibility but also the clinic’s current workload, conflicts and other professional responsibility considerations, and our assessment of the fit between the legal services we provide and the needs of the potential client,” Boxley explained.

ABOUT CAMPBELL LAW

Since its founding in 1976, Campbell Law has developed lawyers who possess moral conviction, social compassion, and professional competence, and who view the law as a calling to serve others. Among its accolades, the school has been recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) as having the nation’s top Professionalism Program and by the American Academy of Trial Lawyers for having the nation’s best Trial Advocacy Program. Campbell Law boasts more than 4,500 alumni, who make their home in nearly all 50 states and beyond. In 2021, Campbell Law is celebrating 45 years of graduating legal leaders and 12 years of being located in a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of North Carolina’s Capital City.