Protecting Eligibility, Scholarships, and Future Opportunities

For student-athletes, a Title IX allegation doesn’t just threaten academic standing — it can also jeopardize athletic eligibility, scholarships, and even NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) contracts. A finding of responsibility can derail years of hard work, impact professional opportunities, and permanently change the course of an athletic career. Working with an experienced student athlete defense attorney ensures that opportunities are protected at every stage of the process.

At The Law Office of M. Ballard Mitchell, attorney Megan Ballard Mitchell helps student-athletes and their families navigate these high-stakes cases with strategy, creativity, and insight. She understands how much is on the line — and knows how to fight for an athlete’s eligibility to play.

Why Student-Athletes Need a Student Athlete Defense Attorney

Universities often move quickly in Title IX cases, sometimes sidelining athletes before a decision is even made. This can mean:

• Suspension from games or practices during the investigation
• Loss of athletic scholarships tied to good standing
• Termination of NIL contracts due to reputational harm
• Permanent eligibility issues under NCAA or school policy

Unlike a courtroom trial, Title IX investigations are conducted by university staff according to their own procedures. Many attorneys approach these cases like criminal defense matters, but that approach rarely benefits athletes. Instead, the best results come from understanding how to work within school policies and procedures while still building a strong, credible defense.

Megan Ballard Mitchell’s Unique Experience as a Student Athlete Defense Attorney

Ms. Mitchell spent years at the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) as an attorney advisor, reviewing how universities investigate Title IX cases. That experience gave her insight into what schools look for, how decision-makers think, and where mistakes often happen.

She also worked as a criminal defense attorney, where she developed the skills to build a clear, persuasive theory of defense. By combining these two perspectives, Ms. Mitchell protects student-athletes strategically — not only against findings of responsibility, but also against unnecessary damage to their athletic futures.

Proven Advocacy for Student-Athletes

As a student athlete defense attorney, Ms. Mitchell has successfully defended student-athletes facing complex, high-stakes Title IX allegations. She has preserved students’ eligibility to play and ensured scholarships remain intact, even when the allegations threatened to end students’ athletic careers.

Her approach is always:

• Creative — finding solutions that protect eligibility while addressing school policies.
• Focused — highlighting the student’s achievements, responsibilities, and rights.
• Practical — working with, not against, university staff to achieve the best outcome.

Protecting More Than Just a Case

When a student is an athlete, a Title IX case isn’t just about avoiding a disciplinary finding — it’s about protecting everything that supports their athletic and academic future, including:

• Eligibility to compete at the collegiate level
• Scholarship funding that supports their education
• NIL contracts and sponsorships that can shape their career
• Reputation and relationships within their team and community

With so much on the line, Ms. Mitchell provides guidance that is both legally sound and sensitive to the realities of collegiate athletics.

Contact Our Law Offices Today

If you or your student-athlete is facing a Title IX investigation, don’t wait until eligibility, scholarships, or future opportunities are put at risk. Megan Ballard Mitchell brings experience, creativity, and a deep understanding of Title IX to every case with a focus on preserving athletic futures.

Contact The Law Office of M. Ballard Mitchell today to discuss your case with an experienced student athlete defense attorney and protect your eligibility to play.