Meet Christine Brown

College Sports' Legal Playmaker

CHRISTINE DONAHUE BROWN, ESQ.

Christine is a nationally respected attorney specializing in the fast-evolving world of college athletics. She represents athletes, coaches, and teams facing high-stakes issues—from Title IX investigations and NIL deals to scholarship disputes, transfer eligibility, coaching and employment challenges, and professional sports representation.

With 30 years in the legal field and a deep understanding of the higher education system, Christine brings rare insight and real-world strategy to every situation. Her legal skills are sharp, but it’s her empathy and straight-talk advocacy that truly set her apart. Clients trust her. Opponents respect her.

Christine has led major Title IX cases, guided hundreds of administrative hearings with a 90% success rate, and stood firmly beside individuals navigating serious, life-altering challenges like racial discrimination, injury compensation, hazing, NIL, transfers, and disability rights. Her work is grounded in fairness and focused on results.

Her legal instincts were shaped early, first as an advocate for her brother with Down syndrome, and later under the influence of her father, a trial lawyer and Division I sports official. That upbringing forged a lifelong commitment to standing up for the underdog and protecting the integrity of sports.

Christine is a marathoner, a mother of three, an “OG” on course #6 at Pinehurst, and a fierce sports aficionado. She carried the Olympic torch in 1996, and she’s been running toward justice ever since.

  • COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

    • President & CEO, The Bijou Theatre

    • Executive Board Member, Team Woofgang & Co.

    • Fundraising Committee Member, The Kennedy Center

    • Steering Committee Member, The Barnum Festival

    • Chairman of the Board, St. Vincent’s Special Needs Services

    • Fundraising Committee Member, The Center for Family Justice

    • Board Member, The Klein Memorial

    • Chairman of the Board, Playhouse on the Green

  • LEGAL EXPERIENCE

    • Christine Brown & Partners | Founder and CEO

    • Nesenoff & Miltenberg, LLP | Partner

    • Duffy Law, LLC | Title IX and Code of Conduct Violations Attorney

    • Fairfield University | Director of Legal Services, Director of Risk Management, Title IX Compliance Coordinator

    • Donahue & Brown, LLC | Litigation Attorney

    • City of Bridgeport, Connecticut | Assistant City Attorney

    • Palmesi, Kaufman, Goldstein & Petrucelli | Litigation Attorney

  • ADMISSIONS

    • State of Connecticut

    • United States District Court, District of Connecticut

    • Second Circuit Court of Appeals

    • Supreme Court of the United States of America

  • COLLEGE ATHLETIC CONFERENCES AND LEAGUES

    • Big 10

    • Big 12

    • Big East Conference

    • Hockey East

    • Metro Atlantic Conference

    • Mid-American Conference

    • Mountain West Conference

    • SEC 

    • Patriot League

    • Pac-12 Conference

  • NATIONAL GOVERNING BODIES, PROFESSIONAL LEAGUES, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS 

    • NFL 

    • SafeSport

    • Special Olympics

    • Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association

    • National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics

    • National Collegiate Hockey Conference

    • National Journal College Athletic Association

  • ASSOCIATIONS

    • Connecticut Bar Association

    • Greater Bridgeport Bar Association

    • New Haven County Bar Association

    • Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association

    • Raymond E. Baldwin Inns of Court

    • Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

    • American Bar Association

    • National Association of College and University Attorneys

    • National Association of Independent Schools

    • Women in Sports and Events (WISE)

  • RECOGNITIONS

    • Career Service Award, Bridgeport Bar Association

    • Distinguished Alumni Award, St. Joseph High School

    • Vision Award, The Kennedy Center

    • Business Impact Award, Bridgeport Regional Business Council

    • Professional Woman of the Year Award, Girl Scouts of America

    • Outstanding Professional Award, The Connecticut Post

  • CERTIFICATIONS

    • Title IX Investigator, Association of Title IX Administrators

    • Title IX Compliance Coordinator, Association of Title IX Administrators

    • Certified Mediator, National Association of Certified Mediators

    • Attorney Trial Referee, State of Connecticut

  • EDUCATION

    • Boston College | Bachelor’s Degree Math and Political Science

    • Quinnipiac University | Connecticut Juris Doctor

    • University of Exeter | International Law and Business Certificate

  • 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl with client Ricky White (left) and Shriners Hospital patient Alec Cabacungan (right)

  • Christine with Iowa Women’s Basketball coaching staff

  • A young Christine Brown on course #6 at Pinehurst

  • Christine Brown running with 1996 Olympic Torch

  • Christine with daughter, Lauren, member of the Ohio State Women’s rowing team