Kimberly A. Yuracko is a former law school dean, Stanford-educated JD/PhD, and the Judd and Mary Morris Leighton Professor of Law at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. She is a nationally recognized authority on Title IX, gender equity in athletics, and student-athlete Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation. An accomplished academic and AAA arbitrator, Professor Yuracko blends careful legal analysis with sound judgment to resolve complex contractual, regulatory, and institutional disputes across the sports industry.
What kinds of matters do you most often see as an arbitrator or mediator in the sports industry?
Yuracko: Given my dual background in employment law and athletics, my work primarily focuses on the intersection of regulatory compliance, collegiate athletic governance, and contract disputes. I frequently handle matters involving Title IX and institutional compliance, gender equity in athletic programs, and student-athlete rights. Additionally, I manage traditional workplace matters within sports organizations, including employment contracts, wage-and-hour claims, and discrimination or retaliation disputes.
What drew you to ADR work in this space, and what do you find most rewarding about serving on the AAA’s Sports Conflicts Panel?
Yuracko: I was drawn to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) because traditional litigation is often too slow and rigid to address these time-sensitive conflicts effectively. Serving on the AAA’s Sports Conflicts Panel allows me to step outside the classroom and apply my scholarly expertise to real-world, high-stakes problems. The most rewarding aspect is providing a neutral, flexible, and efficient forum where student-athletes, universities, and athletic brands can achieve well-reasoned resolutions that allow them to move forward constructively.
What advice would you give parties preparing for arbitration or mediation in complex sports disputes?
Yuracko: Parties should ensure that their written submissions are clear and that their digital evidence or electronic document management is well-organized ahead of preliminary hearings. Parties should also embrace the flexibility of virtual hearings to streamline communication, reduce costs, and ensure that key decision-makers can participate easily.