Practice Areas
CIF Hardships, Eligibility & Transfer Appeals
Wingert Grebing Brubaker & Walshok LLP represents student-athletes, families, coaches, and schools in CIF eligibility and transfer disputes. When eligibility is on the line, timing and documentation decide the outcome. We build a clean record, present the facts clearly, and press for a fair decision as quickly as the CIF process allows.
CIF bylaws stay dense, inconsistently applied, and easy for schools and section offices to misread. The fallout hits fast: lost seasons, missed scholarship exposure, and postseason bans. We cut through the confusion and handle CIF disputes from start to finish—strategy, evidence, briefing, and hearings.
Led by Partner Mark Amador and Steve Grebing, our Sports Law practice represents student-athletes and families across California in high-stakes eligibility and transfer matters.
We handle:
Transfer Eligibility (Bylaw 207)
“Athletically Motivated” Allegations (Bylaw 510)
Pre-Enrollment Contact / Recruiting Accusations
Club / Academy / Training Connections
Hardship Waivers and Safety-Based Requests
Multi-Student and Program-Wide Investigations
Section Office Reviews and State CIF Appeals Panel Hearings
What we do
Build the record: declarations, exhibits, timelines, and corroborating documentation
Identify the pressure points: which bylaws control, what the decision-maker must consider, and where the ruling breaks
Write persuasive submissions: clean, organized, evidence-driven briefs
Prepare witnesses and clients for interviews and hearings
Argue the appeal directly and protect the student’s eligibility path
Bottom line: we push to restore eligibility and protect athletic opportunity—quickly, credibly, and with a record that holds up on appeal.
Wingert Grebing Brubaker & Walshok LLP represents student-athletes, families, coaches, and institutions in NCAA eligibility, reinstatement, and waiver matters. When eligibility is on the line, details and timing drive outcomes. We build a clean record, present the facts persuasively, and push for a fair decision as quickly as the process allows.
Led by Partner Mark Amador and Steve Grebing, our Sports Law practice helps clients navigate NCAA rules and enforcement processes with a practical, documentation-first approach.
We handle NCAA matters involving:
Initial Eligibility
Legislative Relief / Waivers
Progress-Toward-Degree (PTD) / Academic Eligibility
Extensions of Eligibility
Seasons of Competition
Student-Athlete Reinstatement
Prospective Student-Athlete (PSA) Reviews
What you get when you hire us
A straightforward eligibility assessment and strategy (what’s realistic and what isn’t)
Fast, organized evidence gathering tailored to the applicable NCAA standard
Persuasive written submissions that explain the facts clearly and humanize the student-athlete
Guidance through deadlines, communications, and procedural steps to avoid preventable denials
NCAA Student Athlete Eligibility, Reinstatement and Waiver Cases
NIL Agreements, Contracts & Athletics Business Matters
NIL opportunities are expanding rapidly, and so are the risks. We provide strategic guidance for student-athletes, parents, and small businesses entering NIL sponsorships or marketing deals. Our services include:
Reviewing and negotiating NIL contracts
Ensuring compliance with CIF/NCAA/NAIA rules
Structuring brand partnerships
Protecting intellectual property and personal branding
Advising families on tax and reporting considerations
We help athletes maximize NIL rights without jeopardizing eligibility.
Wingert Grebing Brubaker & Walshok LLP advises student-athletes, coaches, collectives, boosters, businesses, and institutions on NIL deals and the business side of sports. We draft, review, and negotiate contracts that protect our clients’ money, brand, and eligibility—and we flag landmines before they turn into disputes.
Led by Partner Mark Amador and Steve Grebing, our Sports Law practice brings a deal-focused, risk-controlled approach to athletics transactions, from straightforward NIL agreements to complex sponsorship and rights packages.
Common matters we handle
NIL Agreements (endorsements, appearances, social media, licensing, performance-based deals)
Contract Review + Negotiation (terms, exclusivity, deliverables, approvals, cancellation)
Brand/Trademark & Licensing (use of marks, logos, IP ownership, royalty terms)
Sponsorship, Apparel, and Equipment Deals (shoe/apparel, uniforms, gear, activation rights)
Media and Multimedia Rights (content rights, posting, monetization, and usage restrictions)
Facility and Event Agreements (rentals, participation agreements, releases, insurance/indemnity)
Employment Contracts in Athletics (coaches, ADs, staff—compensation, termination, morals clauses)
Revenue/Benefit Distribution Structures (compliance-aware planning and contract implementation)
Dispute Prevention and Resolution (breach claims, nonpayment, misrepresentation, takedown demands)
What we focus on
Clear, enforceable terms that match the real-world deal
Practical guardrails around reputation, compliance, and conflicts of interest
Fast turnaround when timing matters (recruiting cycles, campaigns, season deadlines)
Leverage in negotiation—without creating unnecessary friction
If you’re signing an NIL deal or building an athletics business agreement, we make sure the contract works on paper and in real life.
Representation for Coaches & Schools
Coaches and school administrators face increasing scrutiny around transfers, recruiting allegations, boundary issues, and parent complaints. We represent programs across California in:
Recruiting and “pre-enrollment contact” investigations
Player transfer disputes
Program-wide compliance reviews
Staff discipline matters
Administrative hearings
Drafting internal policies and communication protocols
We protect reputations, stabilize programs, and ensure compliance across every level of high-school athletics.
Sports-Related Litigation
When disputes escalate, we bring deep litigation experience to bear. Our practice covers:
Eligibility-related injunctions (TROs, preliminary injunctions)
Defamation and reputational harm
Contract disputes (coaches, trainers, NIL parties)
School district and Section Office conflicts
Safety and liability matters involving athletic programs
We litigate strategically to secure outcomes that protect both athletic careers and long-term opportunities.
Liability & Risk
Schools, club programs, and training centers face complex exposure. We help administrators and coaches assess and control risk by providing:
Policy and handbook drafting
Safety and supervision protocols
Facility and event liability assessments
Program audits for CIF/NCAA compliance
Insurance and waiver strategies
We keep programs protected so coaches and athletes can stay focused on performance.
Digital Media & Technology
Sports programs increasingly rely on digital tools — video platforms, recruiting databases, analytics trackers, wearable data — each carrying unique compliance obligations. We advise athletes, parents, and programs on:
Data privacy and athlete biometric data
Video, statistical, and recruiting platform compliance
Social media and branding risks
E-commerce and online merchandise for student-athletes
We ensure digital engagement doesn’t jeopardize eligibility or violate regulatory rules.