Areas of Responsibility

The University’s Office of General Counsel provides a wide range of legal services. Listed below are some subject areas on which our attorneys are frequently contacted to provide advice and consultation. If you need help with an issue in an area that isn’t listed below, please call 336.758.6100.

Athletics Team

The Athletics Team provides guidance to Wake Forest Athletics.  Advice relates to all legal issues affecting the intercollegiate athletics enterprise, including such issues as NCAA compliance, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights and agreements, employment of coaches and staff, athletics policies and procedures, Title IX, game day operations, fund raising, and interactions with the Atlantic Coast Conference.  The following members of the Office of General Counsel serve on this team:  

• Pete Paukstelis (co-leader)
• Julie Gatewood (co-leader)
• Brian White
• Cliffton Jacques

Campus Life Team

The Campus Life Team provides guidance to Wake Forest University faculty and staff on issues related to student services, opportunities, and engagement.  Advice regarding Campus Life covers a broad range of issues such as student conduct, academic integrity, Title IX compliance, residential life, privacy of records, speech and expression, disability accommodation, student activities, health and wellness, and the development and application of student-oriented policies and procedures. The following members of the Office of General Counsel serve on this team:  

• Cliffton Jacques (leader)
• Dina Marty
• Julie Gatewood

Claims and Litigation Team

The “Claims and Litigation” team is responsible for intake and management of claims and litigation filed against the University and its subsidiaries and assigns. 

The following members of the Office of General Counsel serve on this team:

• Rachel King (Leader)
• Brian White
• Dina Marty
• Mary Crosby

If you or someone in your department has received a communication that you believe to be from a court and/or attorney, please contact Rachel King at kingrl@wfu.edu or 336-758-3508 immediately. Examples include:

• Subpoenas
• Complaint/Summons
• Demand Letters
• Class Action Lawsuit Notices
• Bankruptcy Notices

Employment Team

The Employment Team provides advice and counsel to the University on a variety of faculty and staff employment-related matters, including but not limited to employment-related policies, employee benefits, hiring and discipline, wage and hour, contract issues, free speech and academic freedom, discrimination, accommodations, misconduct investigations, and employment claims and disputes. 

• Mary Crosby (leader)
• Pete Paukstelis
• Brian White 
• Dina Marty

Facilities and Real Property Team

The Facilities and Real Property Team provides advice and counsel to the University on matters associated with facilities; construction; real estate; and environmental health and safety.  The following members of the Office of General Counsel serve on this team:

• Carrie Johnston (co-leader)
• Ginger Matthews (co-leader)
• Ryan Brown

Finance and Transactions Team

The Finance and Transactions Team assists the University on legal matters associated with contract drafting, review, and negotiation; finance; donations and gifts; procurement; tax; and auxiliary services.  The following members of the Legal Department serve on this team:

• Carrie Johnston (co-leader)
• Ginger Matthews (co-leader)
• Brian White
• Pete Paukstelis
• Ryan Brown
• Cliffton Jacques

Health Sciences and Charlotte Team

The Health Sciences and Charlotte Team provides legal services on matters associated with the Wake Forest University School of Medicine and its various programs and matters associated with the University’s schools and programs located in Charlotte, N.C., including the School of Professional Studies. The following members of the Office of General Counsel serve on this team:  

• Ryan Brown
• Julie Gatewood
• Brian White
• Dina Marty

Regulatory and Compliance Team 

The Regulatory and Compliance Team advises the University’s faculty and staff regarding compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The following members of the Office of General Counsel serve on this team:  

• [Open] (co-leader)
• Julie Gatewood (co-leader)
• Ryan Brown
• Mary Crosby
• Carrie Johnston 
• Dina Marty

Research/IP Team 

The Research/IP Team provides advice and counsel to the University on a variety of research and intellectual property related matters, including but not limited to providing general advice and guidance to the Office of Sponsored Research and Programs (OSRP), Wake Forest Innovation, and other offices and units related to the University’s research program, including legal guidance on research security, copyright and licenses, sponsored research grant and contract requirements and regulatory guidance, and research misconduct matters. 

• Mary Crosby (co-leader)
• Ginger Matthews (co-leader) 
• Carrie Johnston 
• Ryan Brown