UNC‑Chapel Hill has hired a law firm to conduct an independent investigation into allegations surrounding its football program, a move that comes after general manager Michael Lombardi was placed on paid administrative leave on July 27.
The inquiry will be led by Nathan Huff and McNair Nichols, former partners at K&L Gates who recently joined Barnes & Thornburg, with Wes Camden of Williams Mullen serving as an advisor to the effort.
Dean Stoyer, UNC‑Chapel Hill’s vice chancellor for athletics, said the university wants the investigation to be thorough, fair and expeditious, emphasizing both accountability and the need to protect confidential information.
Legal and Athletic Stakes
The College Sports Commission, created earlier this year, is conducting a parallel review of revenue‑sharing arrangements and name‑image‑likeness deals that may be connected to the case.
Paul Newton, the university’s general counsel, previously served in the North Carolina Senate before returning to UNC‑Chapel Hill, adding a layer of political context to the probe.
The investigation has also sparked a dispute over public records, as several media outlets, including The Assembly, have sued the university after it withheld the report from the School of Civic Life and Leadership, citing attorney‑client privilege and personnel confidentiality.
A Superior Court judge is scheduled to hear arguments on the withheld report and will issue a ruling that could determine whether the document becomes publicly available.