Vice President of Hearing Operations

Naima Stevenson Starks is vice president of hearing operations, a position she assumed in June 2019 after a 13-year career in the national office, most recently as deputy general counsel and managing director of academic and membership affairs.

In her latest role, Stevenson Starks serves as direct liaison to the NCAA’s Committees on Infractions and Infractions Appeals Committees in all three divisions and oversees the staffs that support these committees. These committees decide on penalties for member schools and involved individuals for violating NCAA rules.

She also provides strategic coordination for the NCAA’s new Independent Accountability Resolution Process, which stems directly from the Commission on College Basketball’s recommendation to bring more outside voices and expertise into the NCAA’s infractions process.  

Prior to her appointment as vice president, Stevenson Starks managed litigation activities and provided legal and regulatory counsel to various areas of the national office and NCAA governance committees.

Before joining the NCAA, Stevenson Starks was a corporate and securities associate with the law firm of Arnold & Porter in Washington, D.C.  While at Arnold & Porter, she advised a variety of corporations on the ever-changing landscape in securities regulations, assisted clients with raising equity in private equity transactions, and advised clients in merger and acquisition transactions. 

An experienced speaker and panelist, Stevenson Starks has served as a panelist for the Sports Lawyers Association, the National Association of College and University Attorneys, the Indiana Bar Association, and many colleges and universities.

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, she is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park and received her law degree from Harvard Law School.