IWSOC Legal Connect
The IWSOC Leadership recognizes the challenges facing coaches in this current landscape of college athletics. The IWSOC is committed to supporting its members and is pleased to provide access to attorneys with experience in this space. IWSOC members can consult with an attorney on employment matters, such as:
- Reviewing contracts and recommending negotiation strategies
- Advising on problem prevention and crisis management
- Assisting in preparation for meetings that could affect employment and job security
- Supporting coaches through an investigation. These reviews can focus on either the team, specific student-athletes, and/or the coach and can include, but are not limited to Title IX investigations.
- Answering questions & analyzing issues that could affect employment
- Managing conflict amongst staff or team
- Navigating how to handle team or player issues that could affect the viability of the program
- Negotiating and reviewing separation agreements and transition plans
To schedule a 30-minute legal consultation, please find a time that works for you on the calendar link located in the RESOURCES tab in your Info Hub
Attorneys
Following a fourteen-year career coaching college soccer and lacrosse and running a high school club lacrosse program and multiple sports camps, Holly returned to school to earn her law degree. After graduation and a short stint at a corporate law firm, she opened her solo practice, Law Offices of Holly G. Wheeler, in 2020 in Guilford, Connecticut. She has a general practice, covering family, education, business, criminal, personal injury, and real estate law. She serves as general counsel for local, small businesses. Holly has served as the legal representative on the Board for The Girls Academy.
Education:
- B.A. Art History, Princeton University
- M.A. Liberal Studies, Wesleyan University
- J.D., University of Connecticut School of Law
Coaching Experience:
- 14 years, Wesleyan University Women’s Lacrosse, Head Coach
- 4 years, Wesleyan University Women’s Soccer, Head Coach
- Over 25 years, coaching all levels of lacrosse, soccer, basketball, tennis (youth, travel, high school, collegiate)
Samantha co-founded her law firm, Ekstrand & Ekstrand, in 2002 with her husband in Durham, North Carolina. She focuses on sports law, which includes working with college coaches on contract negotiations, investigations, crisis management, and separation agreements, as well as advising various coaches associations' boards of directors, and drafting and lobbying for NCAA legislation. She serves as the legal counsel for the IWLCA, NFCA, NFHCA, and WGCA. Her client base consists predominantly of coaches of women's sports including softball, lacrosse, field hockey, soccer, ice hockey, rowing, gymnastics, tennis, and basketball.
Education:
- B.A. History and Government cum laude, Dartmouth College
- M.A. History, Duke University
- J.D., Duke University
Coaching Experience:
- 7 years, Duke University Women’s Lacrosse, 1 ACC Championship, 2 Final Four Appearances
- Over 25 years, coaching all levels of lacrosse (youth, travel, high school, collegiate)
- Experience coaching soccer, basketball, squash
Kyle is the founder and lead attorney of the Family Law Practice at Ruchim & Hudson, P.C., based in Northbrook, Illinois. He represents clients in matters involving divorce, parentage, prenuptial agreements, post-decree litigation, mediation and other complex family law matters. Kyle has experience negotiating settlements, litigating contested matters and serving as a trusted advisor to clients through significant personal and professional transitions. He also provides pro bono legal assistance to professional softball players consulting on player contracts and advising on legal issues affecting their careers. Kyle served as team captain of his Northwestern baseball team before being selected in the Major League Baseball Draft and playing three seasons of professional baseball. He has remained actively involved in athletics, including coaching high school athletes, color commentating for Big Ten baseball and closely following the rapidly evolving collegiate athletics landscape.
Education:
- B.A., Biological Sciences, Northwestern University
- J.D., DePaul University College of Law, summa cum laude
Coaching Experience:
- Over 10 years coaching youth and high school baseball players
- Current Head Coach, Top Tier Baseball