Jackson Lewis Strengthens Sports Practice With Addition of Geoff Silver
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (July 22, 2014) -- Jackson Lewis P.C., one of the largest workplace law firms in the world representing management, is pleased to announce Geoff Silver has joined the firm’s Indianapolis office as Of Counsel. Mr. Silver arrives at Jackson Lewis after almost ten years at the National Office of the NCAA, most recently serving as Director of Academic & Membership Affairs.
“Geoff’s addition is a tremendous coup for the firm’s expanding Collegiate and Professional Sports Practice Group,” said Phoenix office Managing Shareholder Gregg E. Clifton, who leads the Group with Boston Shareholder Paul V. Kelly. “As one of the preeminent authorities on the rules interpretations process for Division I, II and III sports who has valuable insight into the issues facing the collegiate sports world, Geoff’s experience is a major benefit to our clients across the country.”
“Our ability to attract someone of Geoff’s caliber and professional reputation is a testament to Jackson Lewis’ commitment to this group, as well as the strong foundation we have steadily built over the last several years, including recent additions such as renowned sports law practitioner Gene Marsh and Randy Levine, President of the New York Yankees,” added Kelly. “This is a major ‘get’ for Jackson Lewis, and we could not be more excited to welcome Geoff to our team.”
As the NCAA’s Director of Academic & Membership Affairs, Mr. Silver was responsible for managing the rules interpretations process for Divisions I, II and III and for supporting the work of several governance groups. This work included coordinating the activities of the NCAA Working Group on Collegiate Model – Rules (Rules Working Group), which was charged with leading Division I rules reform efforts. Mr. Silver also provided support to the Division I Legislative Council, the Division I Leadership Council Football Recruiting Subcommittee, the Division I Amateurism Cabinet and several other governance groups involving policy related to recruiting, student-athlete benefits, initial and continuing eligibility and agents.
In addition, Mr. Silver provided oversight to the legislative relief waiver process and provided rules interpretation support and education to the NCAA enforcement staff and the NCAA Corporate and Broadcast Alliances and Communications staffs. Mr. Silver also had primary responsibility for developing and implementing the new Division I interpretations process and temporary waiver review process (i.e., legislative relief, student-athlete reinstatement, amateurism certification, initial eligibility and continuing eligibility waivers), two initiatives integral to the development of the new Division I regulatory environment that prioritizes student-athlete well-being and increased decision-making authority and autonomy for Division I institutions and conferences.
During his time at the NCAA, Mr. Silver also served as the Director of Amateurism and Complex Case review and was responsible for the overall supervision of the amateurism certification process, including management of the elite athlete certification and investigation program. Prior to joining the NCAA, Mr. Silver worked in the athletics compliance offices at the University of Michigan and Bucknell University.
Mr. Silver earned his B.A. from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, his J.D. from Indiana University Maurer School of Law and his M.S. in Sports Administration from the University of Michigan.
Jackson Lewis’ Indianapolis office can be reached at (619) 573-4900.
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About Jackson Lewis
Founded in 1958, Jackson Lewis is dedicated to representing management exclusively in workplace law. With over 770 attorneys practicing in 55 locations throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Jackson Lewis is included in the AmLaw 100 and Global 100 rankings of law firms. U.S. News - Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" named Jackson Lewis the 2014 “Law Firm of the Year” in the Litigation-Labor and Employment category. The firm was also named a Tier 1 National “Best Law Firm” in Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management; and Litigation – Labor & Employment, and earned a spot on the BTI Power Elite for being recognized by corporate counsel as one of the top law firms in building and maintaining client relationships. The firm’s wide range of specialized areas of practice provides the resources to address every aspect of the employer/employee relationship. Jackson Lewis has one of the most active employment litigation practices in the United States, with a current caseload of over 6,500 litigations and approximately 550 class actions.